Three points in the bag, temporarily second spot in the William Hill Premiership, but there is a sting in the tail. Tom Renaud, the club’s newly-acquired, midfield player, is counted out for some time.
Wouter Vrancken, Hearts’ head coach, could not articulate exactly what was wrong to the media after the hard-earned, 2-1 victory over newly-promoted St Johnstone at Tynecastle.
That is for the medical men. Simply, he has had a scan which indicates a serious ankle injury so it is bad news for the 25-year-old defensive midfielder.
That may prompt Hearts to move into the transfer market before the deadline next week, but, for now Vrancken was happy with the first-half performance of his men following their gruelling UEFA Conference League play-off in Austria with Rapid Vienna.
Hearts march on in the UEFA Conference League and the confirmed fixtures should be out soon. The Tynecastle team impressed in the first-half against the Perth outfit, showing little signs of fatigue as teenage striker James Wilson claimed the opener after nine minutes, ex-St Johnstone player, Josh McPake capitalising on a mistake in the Saints defence and the Scotland international made sure, striding in on goal before slotting.
Enes Alic netting an own goal after 39 minutes. However, midfielder Laurent Mendy, who had strolled through the first 45 minutes, showing neat footwork and considerable awareness in attack and defence before he was substituted, was all over the player as the ball came into the danger area.
Yes, Perth goalkeeper, Toby Steward, produced some quality saves during the first session, and observers waited for more from the Tynecastle team backed by a vociferous crowd of over 18,000.
However, they were wrong. St Johnstone produced a highly-encouraging second half display against last season’s runners-up to champions Celtic, and the platform was their goal three minutes into the session.
Ruari Paton did the damage. He sipped in behind the Hearts defence to send the ball past goalkeeper Beau Reus, and the visitors kept up the pressure, producing several nervy moments for the home side who were stung by the goal. The midweek exertions, playing for 120 minutes and the nerve-wracking penalty shootout, kicked in.
Of course, Hearts had to travel and energy reserves sapped. They clung on and, frankly, they looked vulnerable in defence, again.
Vrancken admitted that the most important thing was the three points.
This week, he added, was a good learning curve of what is to come with European football and domestic games coming hard and fast with little respite and also limited training time. His squad will be tested to the full.
His opposite number, Simo Valakari, was correct in his assertion that the Perth club had created enough chances. They only took one. He added: “I was 90 minutes football. I am disappointed with the result but not disappointed with the application, I am not disappointed with the desire and I am not disappointed how we played.
“Yes, if you create that many chances in that environment you just need to take them. There is no other way to put it.”
So, Hearts re-group ahead of Thursday’s first derby of the season. Easter Road is the venue (19.45).
DOUBLE ACT: Laurent Mendy (left) impressed before being substituted in 56 minutes with Calvin Miller who came on as a second-half replacement. Picture Nigel Duncan
