Hearts analysis: Big result, Shankland stunner, shape

Lawrence Shankland scored either side of half-time to down the Buddies with the second one a special strike.

It is a result which ensures Hearts go into Wednesday's derby in full control of third place.

Our writers Joel Sked and James Cairney look back at the afternoon's events in Gorgie...

Big result

It was so important that Hearts didn't undo all the good work that came with a win at Celtic Park when St Mirren came to town. It was an opportunity to take hold of third place at the start of a four-game sprint to the winter break. And it was one they didn't pass up.

As we will come to explore the performance wasn't perfect but the result certainly was with the tension taken out of the encounter when Lawrence Shankland scored a second goal.

It sets Hearts up brilliantly for the derby on the 27th. Supporters will be going to Easter Road with plenty of confidence. Fuelled both by the two most recent results but also the league table. With Hibs and Aberdeen, the two teams the club looked at as likely challengers for third, not playing due to postponements, three points has seen Steven Naismith's side open up a five and ten point lead respectively as we edge closer to the half-way stage.

Shankland superlatives

What else is left to say? Lawrence Shankland is simply inevitable.

Hearts were taking their time to get to grips with the system and hadn't created much before a corner was recycled by Alex Cochrane who found Shankland, bizarrely all on his own at the back post where he stooped to end the home side in front.

As for the second goal? [Insert shrug and a chuckle] Stupendous. 

He did prove he was a mere goal-scoring mortal in the 83rd minute when in a great position to slide home the perfect hat-trick but allowed the ball to get away from him.

That aside, Shankland is simply sensational. He is the most impactful and influential player to wear maroon and white since Rudi Skacel. Praise doesn't come much higher.

Naismith changes the shape 

Hearts stuck with the back three that has proved so successful in recent weeks, but there were some tweaks made by Naismith further up the park as the formation was shifted to a 3-4-3, with Yutaro Oda and Barrie McKay on either flank in attack, and Nathaniel Atkinson and Alex Cochane behind them respectively. 

The problem with such a set-up is that it can leave you short of bodies in central areas, and the wing-backs and wingers can get in each other’s way. To counteract this, Atkinson and Cochrane would drift infield when Hearts were on the ball, providing the team with options through the middle while simultaneously freeing up space for McKay and Oda to operate in. 

Clear-cut chances for the men in maroon remained at a premium though, prompting Naismith to alter the team’s shape midway through the first half as he issued a lengthy series of instructions for Frankie Kent to in turn relay to the team. The new formation was difficult to discern from the press box, but it injected new life into Hearts. Within a matter of minutes, Lawrence Shankland won a corner following a well-executed attacking move, and the skipper was at hand to head home the resulting set-piece. 

The onus was now on St Mirren to find a way back into the game, but Stephen Robinson’s side were unable to find a foothold. Out of possession, Hearts formed a 3-5-2 shape that the Buddies simply couldn’t break down. And when Shankland doubled the hosts’ lead with a sublime effort shortly after the restart, the result was all but confirmed. 

Naismith’s in-game decisions haven’t always paid off – but on this occasion, his tactical tinkering from the sidelines played a key role in sealing the three points. 

Halkett's return

"Halks is a leader," Steven Naismith said before the match. "He's got some great old-fashioned characteristics that are missed in a lot of players nowadays. He will give us a bit of strength and power at the back."

Craig Halkett was making his first Hearts start nearly a year to the day when he suffered a season-ending injury in the draw at Dundee United. The game which also saw Craig Gordon suffer a serious injury. He was a somewhat surprise starter against St Mirren but slotted into the backline, between Kye Rowles and Frankie Kent seamlessly.

In the first half the 28-year-old marshalled Jonah Ayunga very well. At the 1-0 loss to St Mirren in Paisley earlier in the season the Hearts defence were given a tough time by the hard-running Toyosi Olusanya. Any such threat from St Mirren was nullified. Both with the back three and Halkett's presence. Only once did he put a foot wrong, allowing the ball to bounce under his foot at the start of the second half but his team-mates were on hand to surround the ball the way they often do.

A moment later there was a huge cheer when it looked like St Mirren might spring clear but Halkett was there to motor across and slide the ball out the pitch. It was a test of the defender's movement and it was one he passed with ease. 

The second half saw Hearts have to do their share of defending but Zander Clark was troubled just once, pulling out a fine stop. It is the team's ninth league clean sheet.

A welcome return.

Denholm goes from strength to strength  

Aidan Denholm was one of many Hearts players to have really caught the eye in last week’s 2-0 win away to Celtic as the academy product more than held his own against some of the top midfielders in Scotland. His performance at Parkhead displayed a maturity beyond his tender years, and another start against St Mirren was his deserved reward. 

The 20-year-old wasted no time in making his presence felt. Straight from kick-off, the midfielder charged menacingly towards the St Mirren goal before winning a free kick on the edge of the area as he was brought down by Alex Gogic. The tough-tackling Cypriot was shown a yellow card for his troubles and had to be on his best behaviour for the remaining 89 minutes. 

Denholm would continue to rampage forward and although the pass through to him or the final ball wasn’t always there, his forward-thinking approach and attacking industry were invaluable to his team. All too often this season, Hearts have missed a ball-carrying, line-breaking midfielder who is willing to get up the park to support the striker – and Denholm is showing he could be the solution. 

The youngster often found himself receiving the ball in tight areas and under pressure, but he had the technical ability and wherewithal to regularly beat the St Mirren press and shift the ball on. His assist for Shankland’s second, a deft lay-off at the edge of the area, was well executed and he could have had a second if the Hearts captain hadn't passed up a good opportunity. A just reward following another impressive display.