Michael Stewart struggles to predict title race - but feels like Hearts' win at Dundee 'meant something'
The former Hearts captain believes an ‘unbelievable’ post-split could be around the corner in the SPFL Premiership.
As Hearts make it five wins from six against Dundee at Dens Park, Michael Stewart says it could be a season-defining result.
At the same venue where Hearts lost the league 40 years ago, a gritty Tayside display was required. The visitors took the lead through Claudio Braga, however were dealt a major blow at the end of the first half when goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow was sent off. Up stepped Craig Gordon - who was three when Albert Kidd scored that Jambo-scunnering brace - to make a world class last minute stop from Emile Acquah’s header to seal the three points.
Hearts were dogged, tenacious and defensively resolute whilst down to 10 men at Dens Park - three attributes that are needed in a title race. On a weekend where neither Celtic nor Rangers blinked, Stewart believes the Gorgie side’s performance sets them up nicely for a tough run of fixtures that could make or break their season - including Celtic’s trip to Tynecastle later this month. He spoke on BBC Sportsound’s Scottish Football Podcast alongside fellow former Jambo Andy Halliday.
Stewart reflects on ‘significant’ Dundee triumph
He said: “it certainly felt like it was a significant result. I think it's hot on the heels of the result at home against Livy, which was an uncomfortable second half. But they saw the game out, away from home against a resurgent Dundee down to ten men.
“The fact that Craig Gordon comes up with an impossible world-class save in the dying embers of the game, it just feels like it meant something. It certainly means something in obviously the context of the game itself and it means that Hearts kept the three points. But it certainly feels like there's a sort of story that's being woven throughout this season, and that feels like it's a pretty big juncture.”
Halliday added: “I think everybody knows and realises that Celtic are going to be in a better place under Martin O'Neill. Danny Rohl has got a tune out of Rangers, so everyone's expecting them to carry momentum forward and really push, so I think everyone's waiting for this Hearts slip up.
“I wouldn't say there was loads of people who would have tipped Dundee today, but the fact of the matter is Dundee have won three games in a row, it was going to be a difficult game. I think when Hearts went down to ten men everyone thought ‘here we go’ but they defended well.”
‘Incredible’ end to the league campaign ahead
The former Hearts captain went onto say that it feels as if anyone can beat anyone in the top half of the table, going into an exciting run-in. He continued: “talking about best managers, I mean, clearly, you look at the top five teams, not just the title race. You’ve got Jens Berthel Askou - outstanding, David Gray - a great young Scottish manager. Yes, there's been an element of inconsistency, but I think he's done really well.
‘Then obviously, Danny Rohl - he just looks like somebody that has experience way beyond his age. Then you’ve got Martin O’Neill, who has been there and done it. Derek McInnes - just outstanding. So it really does make for an incredible end to the league campaign.
“Only a fool would tell you how it's going to finish, because I don't think anybody can realistically say. Post-split, it's going to be unbelievable, because those five teams are capable of taking points off each other. There’s no doubt about it, and that will be the top five.”