Hearts win seven-goal thriller against St Johnstone on top flight return

But Hearts were back in command in the 62nd minute when Walker, after surging towards the end of the Saints box, waited for support and slipped a lovely pass through to the galloping Callum Paterson, who ran on to slot low past Mannus. The majority of the huge Tynecastle crowd lapped it up and they had barely settled into their seats when their favourites took the lead.

The Hearts fans were already in good mood after owner Ann Budge unfurled the Championship title flag just before kick-off, a nd the feel good factor was enhanced when new signing Delgado gave the Premiership newcomers the lead inside four minutes. The Perth Saints were risky on the counter-attack with Lappin, Shaughnessy and another former Jambo John Sutton causing problems.

Sam Nicholson scored the decisive goal at Tynecastle after the visitors dragged themselves level from trailing 3-1.

St. Johnstone resumed after the break in determined fashion but it was Hearts who scored again with their first real attack of the second period.

But the Jambos regained their two-goal advantage soon afterwards, Paterson heading the ball on near the halfway line before running through and slotting home after Walker had played him in with a precise through ball.

He said: “There is no doubt we should have got something from the game”. 2-1 to Hearts now and there were accusing looks among the home defence.

“But what’s killed us is the poor goals we’ve given away and you can’t do that”.

Wright was pleased at the way his side had harried Hearts high up the park, preventing them building from the back and forcing them to play the ball long out of defence.

St Johnstone looked to have clawed their way back into the game as they netted twice in quick succession, Sutton’s glancing header finding the bottom corner with Alexander rooted to the spot.

Gorgie gaffer Robbie Neilson was a relieved man after the game.

Jamie Walker was increasingly effective as the game wore on, while Juanma did enough before tiring to suggest that he will be one of Hearts’ most influential players this season.

“We patched them up to try to get them out for this game – Rossi, Augustyn, Juanma, Prince Buaben as well, but I thought they were all fantastic”. I don’t think anyone does in Scotland. “We wanted to get three points, we managed to do it, but the manner in which we did it wasn’t what we were looking for”.

St Johnstone goalkeeper Alan Mannus believes his position is under serious threat from Zander Clark.