Hearts 3 Motherwell 1
Hearts manager Derek McInnes should spend the next fortnight doing absolutely everything in his power to keep Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga as happy as possible.
Give them time off. Give them a new car. Give them a million quid each. Whatever does the trick.
Make no mistake, this duo will be the difference between whether the Jambos are crowned champions in May or are left lamenting a golden opportunity squandered.
Hearts’ title challenge looked to be going down in flames at Tynecastle this weekend after being largely played off the park by Motherwell for an hour.
If you remember, the Steelmen were 3-0 up here back in August before Braga came off the bench to spark an unlikely comeback and rescue a point.
Lawrence Shankland celebrates after scoring Hearts’ second goal from the penalty spot
It was his wonderful overhead kick on the hour which dragged Hearts level on Saturday, with Shankland’s late penalty completing the turnaround before Pierre Landry Kabore added some gloss in stoppage-time.
That’s 27 goals between Braga and Shankland for the season. Considering the captain has missed the best part of two months through injury, that’s a terrific record.
Celtic’s front men are still playing with blindfolds on, and only a fool would bank on Youssef Chermiti finding a hot streak to fire Rangers to glory over the coming weeks.
Yet as long as Hearts have their front two on the field, McInnes’ will always fancy his side to come through. They are simply a cut above the rest.
Credit to Kabore too, by the way. The big man has had to watch on from the sidelines throughout this campaign, but has more than played his part in getting Hearts to where they are. His introduction off the bench here was crucial to Hearts getting over the line to ensure they go in to the split at the top of the pile.
Portuguese striker Claudio Braga equalises for Hearts with an overhead kick
For long spells, they certainly didn’t look like champions-in-waiting. Tynecastle might as well get ready for a couple more edgy afternoons like this one.
This was the 13th win home season for Hearts – their unbeaten league record intact. But the challenge now is to replicate something like that form on the road during the run-in.
With trips to Easter Road, Celtic Park and Fir Park to come, they can’t just rely on home comforts to get the job done.
Not that there was anything remotely comfortable about this performance. From the start, they looked off the pace.
Motherwell were slick early on, with Tawanda Maswanhise a constant threat on the right-hand side.
On nine minutes, the forward’s low drive across goal was waiting to be tapped in by Ibrahim Said, only for Oisin McEntee get back just in time to clear the danger.
In truth, Hearts’ best moments in the opening quarter came courtesy of Motherwell mistakes.
Their insistence on playing the ball out from the back is a delight to watch when it comes off. But they are made to look a bit daft when it doesn’t.
Celtic profited from such sloppiness to draw level at Parkhead last month before going on to get the three points, as did Falkirk, who took full advantage from a howler in their 3-2 win at Fir Park last weekend.
Keeper Calum Ward looked like a bag of nerves. The Englishman got away with one 12 minutes in when Braga caught him daydreaming inside the area. No takers for the cutback though.
Hearts manager Derek McInnes urges his side on from the touchline
Thankfully, Ward was far more reliable with his hands. His outstanding one-handed stop to deny McEntee from close range on 20 minutes kept the scoreline intact.
Alexander Schwolow then had to be sharp at the other end to claw a long-range curler from Elliot Watt which looked destined for the top corner, before getting down to stop Ibrahim Said’s low drive from 20 yards.
From a Hearts perspective, everything just looked rushed. Cammy Devlin and Beni Baningime – in for the suspended Marc Leonard – did at least try to settle things down, but nothing was happening in the final third.
Blair Spittal offered next to nothing, whilst Alexandros Kyziridis on the opposite flank continues to struggle for form. Too often he turned backwards rather than have a go down the line. It was frustrating to watch.
Motherwell took the lead within five minutes of the restart. Maswanhise – for the umpteenth time – found himself with acres of room on the wing.
His pass was intended for Watt in the middle, but his fresh-air swipe worked out well for Emmanuel Longelo, who couldn’t believe his luck as he tapped in unopposed at the back post.
Craig Halkett spurned a great chance to equalise two minutes later, heading Stephen Kingsley’s fine pick-out over the bar from 8 yards.
Schwolow could then only stand and watch as Maswanhise trickled an effort wide after being played in by Elijah Just, who was once again outstanding.
Motherwell fans should simply enjoy the New Zealander while they have him. He won’t be around for long. We’re nine months in to the season now, and teams still haven’t worked out how to stop him.
Emmanuel Longelo wheels away after giving Motherwell the lead at Tynecastle
After surviving a couple more scares, Hearts levelled proceedings. Stuart Findlay – back in the side after a six-week absence through injury – did brilliantly to head Spittal’s corner back in to the danger zone.
Braga’s first-time overhead kick in to the bottom was top class. Is there a better instinctive finisher in Scotland? The less time he has, the better he is.
Longelo should have put Well back in front straight from kick-off, but blazed high and wide after once more sneaking in behind a static Hearts defence. He had far more time than he realised.
Maswanhise’s miss on 75 minutes was even worse. After spinning to leave Halkett eating dust in the centre circle, the Zimbabwean raced in the box. He sidestepped a sliding McEntee for good measure, but with just the keeper to beat, somehow failed to hit the target.
Pierre Landry Kabore slots home Hearts’ third goal in stoppage time
It would have been a strong contender for goal of the season had he maintained his composure when it counted.
And he was made to pay for that with five minutes remaining as Hearts were handed a lifeline from the penalty spot after Stephen Welsh – following a VAR check – was adjudged to have fouled Kabore as the striker was gearing up to pull the trigger.
Under immense pressure, Shankland was never going to miss from 12 yards.
Any late nerves were avoided when Kabore was sent scampering by Baningime. The substitute took his time, shifted the ball on to his left, and fired below Ward to seal the points.
Cue a rather relieved rendition of ‘We Shall Not Be Moved’. They are certainly going to take some shifting.
