Red-carded Tomas Magnusson sat shivering in the away dressing room watching the remainder of Hearts' nail-biting victory over Rapid Vienna on his phone on Wednesday. Even then, a series of roars back out in the feverish Allianz Stadion only alerted the agitated big Icelander to the fact his stream was way behind. Thankfully his big-hearted Jambos mates were dialled in to the job at hand as they fought back for a heroic penalty shoot-out victory to seal their spot in the Conference League.
Torture on a time delay
It was torture for the midfielder who picked up a second yellow in the 76th minute of the play-off when the Jambos were 1-0 down. Yet Magnusson insists he never lost faith his team-mates could dig him out a hole.
The 24-year-old was back in the starting XI as Wouter Vrancken's side dug deep again to secure a win over St Johnstone at Tynecastle – just three days after their Vienna valour. And it's that kind of resilience Magnusson insists will be crucial when they step into the lions' den of an Edinburgh derby in enemy territory on Thursday.
The 24-year-old can't wait to get his teeth into another battle with Hibs. He just hopes a more comfortable evening awaits in Leith after his nerve-shredder in Vienna.
Magnusson said: “I was shivering in the locker room trying to watch it but the guys were brilliant and got it over the line. I found the stream online on my phone. I was able to see it – but there was a big delay. I heard some noises and then had to check on some apps to see what it was. It was stressful.
“It was a great relief but I never doubted the guys could do it. I always believed.
“Some will say it's a momentum shift – 'One man down, let's do it guys.' They were brilliant.
“I thought I caught the ball cleanly for the first foul. For the second yellow I'm just unlucky. I'm trying to stick my feet before him. He does well in putting the leg into mine and getting me off but I don't think the first yellow was one.
“I'm really excited for the league phase now. This is why you're in football. You want to play these big games and travel around the world.
“It's my first time ever in the league phase so I can't wait.”
Derby memories and momentum
Magnusson was the last-gasp goal hero the last time he was involved in the capital showdown back in February. That tumultuous night at Tynecastle, which kept the Jambos ahead at the top of the table, remains the highlight of his 14 months in Gorgie.
He said: “Yes, I would have to say so. It would be amazing to score again.
“Those games are always amazing. It's similar pressure to what we had last week. The atmosphere at Easter Road will be crazy just like in Vienna. The stadium against us keeps you going. A bit of fire under you. It is enjoyable.
“Last year, we go in with a plan and then it's a bit chaotic, always.
“We'll go in with a plan but it will be different to last season. We've got a new style of play, a new staff and everything. Just get over the line when it comes to it and try to follow some game plan.
“We've faced some good opponents now. It's been nine games since all the competitions started. We've gone through ups and downs and I think we're ready to go to Easter Road.”
St Johnstone win
Hearts hung on for three points that moved them into second spot against a Saints side that will feel they deserved more from a stirring second-half display.
Yet the Jambos looked anything but weary early on as they exploded out the traps.
Toby Steward denied Laurent Mendy from point-blank range before Wilson fired the Tynecastle men ahead. It was a shocker for Saints defender Zach Mitchell as he passed straight to former Perth team-mate Josh McPake who had the presence of mind to slip in James Wilson, whose first-time effort left Steward helpless.
The visiting keeper was a busy man and saved well from Mendy and Sabah Kerjota but breathed a huge sigh of relief when ref Ryan Lee adjudged he'd been fouled by Mendy as the Frenchman headed home McPake's corner.
Mendy was running the midfield and thought he'd got the goal his efforts deserved when Hearts went 2-0 up on 40 minutes – only for replays to show Saints debutant Enes Alic got the final touch to force Jordi Altena's in swinging free kick over the line.
Hearts were in command but St Johnstone halved the deficit three minutes into the second half. Ruaridh Paton burst through the middle of the home defence onto Sam Stanton's header and calmly slotted past Beau Reus.
Josh Fowler should have levelled when he rounded Reus but failed to pull the trigger with Hearts starting to wilt. But the Jambos held on – with sub Blair Spittal's curling effort crashing off the bar as they looked to extend their advantage.
Magnusson added: “It's tough, obviously just a few days between the games and having to recover is harder, especially after 120 minutes in Vienna. You can see that a bit towards the end. It was not as fluid in the second half.
“Winning was the objective and we got through it.”
