Hearts' Disciplinary Issues Prove Costly in Dramatic St Mirren Defeat
Derek McInnes conceded that 10-man Hearts had once again paid the price for "playing with fire" as they suffered their third Premiership defeat of the season against St Mirren. The Tynecastle side's persistent disciplinary problems resurfaced in a match that saw their slender lead at the top of the table come under serious threat.
A Costly Dismissal Changes the Game
Craig Halkett's first-half red card marked the third time in just five league matches that a Hearts player has been sent off, and this dismissal proved particularly damaging. The numerical disadvantage eventually told when Miguel Freckleton rose to head home the decisive goal just two minutes from full time, breaking Hearts' resistance and securing a precious victory for the home side.
The result leaves Hearts nervously looking over their shoulder, with their advantage at the summit potentially reduced to just three points should either Rangers or Celtic win their respective games in hand against Kilmarnock and Aberdeen.
McInnes Frustrated by Recurring Problem
McInnes expressed clear frustration at his team's inability to maintain a full complement of players, acknowledging that they cannot continue to tempt fate in this manner. "It's fair to say we're getting used to playing with 10 men which we don't want," the Hearts manager stated. "It's extra stress and you all have to work harder."
While praising his team's resilience when reduced in numbers, McInnes emphasised that this recurring issue must be addressed. "We have to own the fact that we can't keep getting away with that. You can't keep playing with fire," he admitted. "There is a consequence of that red card and we've spoken about that. It's not only to put extra stress on the lads that are playing."
The manager pointed to specific moments that led to the dismissal, explaining: "We caused it. We got ourselves into a fankle. We had two opportunities to play it forward and we get ourselves into a bit of a state. And that culminates in a last-gasp challenge and we've paid for that."
St Mirren's Resurgence Under Robinson
For St Mirren, this victory represented their first league win in eight attempts, lifting them to ninth in the table and providing significant breathing space in their battle against relegation. Manager Stephen Robinson was understandably delighted with his team's performance and their recent upturn in form.
"I thought we thoroughly deserved the win," Robinson asserted. "We started brightly and our pressing was back to what it was. We continued to be patient, deliver balls and get in behind them."
The St Mirren boss acknowledged the quality of their opponents while praising his own team's approach: "Hearts are a very good side, and hard to break down, but we moved the ball well enough and eventually got our just rewards." With his team now unbeaten in four matches, Robinson added optimistically: "That's four games unbeaten now — there's light at the end of the tunnel."
Hearts' Spirit Not Enough to Salvage Result
Despite the defeat, McInnes found positives in his team's response to adversity, particularly their defensive organisation and collective spirit when reduced to ten men. "After we went down to 10 men, the lads were everything I expected of them," he said. "We restricted St Mirren to very little. The organisation and the spirit of the team was brilliant."
The Hearts manager even suggested his team might have deserved something from the match, stating: "It would be hard to deny we didn't deserve a point for our spirit and everything else." However, he ultimately recognised that disciplinary lapses are undermining their campaign, creating unnecessary pressure in their pursuit of the Premiership title.
