Scottish Premiership Review: Hearts win thriller on top-flight return

Hearts have marked their return to the Scottish Premiership with a dramatic 4-3 victory over St Johnstone at Tynecastle.

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.

“But we had to patch our team together”.

“At half-time he said he was struggling and I asked him for 10 minutes but he played for the full game”. Brilliant play by Juanma saw the Spaniard racing through on goal with the visiting defenders trailing him. They had Sam Nicholson to thank for a goal-line clearance in the first half, but they would also have enjoyed a more comfortable conclusion to the game if Nicholson had scored instead of blasting wide at 3-1. Making space for himself inside his own half, the striker raced forward before passing to Nicholson, who was brought down by Mannus. A Joe Shaughnessy throw-in caused problems, and as the Hearts defence hesitated, apparently looking for a foul, Alexander failed to clutch the ball.

Anguish emanated from the Tynecastle stands as Hearts appeared to have thrown away a two goal 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. St. Johnstone pulled a goal back when Sutton glanced a header beyond the despairing Alexander before Shaughnessy’s effort spun off Cummings to equalise for the visitors.

“It was a really nerve wracking game for us”, he told BBC Radio Scotland.

Sutton said: “People are expecting Hearts to win but we believe we’re capable of getting the three points”.

“We pride ourselves in being defensively strong, but fatigue played a big part in this because we had four or five boys who have hardly any pre-season”.

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.

He said: “There is no doubt we should have got something from the game”.

“They really worked hard and you could see in the last 30 minutes they were out on their feet, but they kept their character and kept going, winning their headers, winning their tackles, and got us the three points”.

“Prince Buaben, for one, has barely trained”.