Malachi Fagan-Walcott fired a pin-point, cross-field pass into the path of Josh McPake. The Scotland international, who made his debut for the national side in midweek, beat St Mirren substitute Liam Donnelly on the edge of the box and cooly fired home when he found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper, Jacob Chapman.
It was undoubtedly a movement to savour for London-born Fagan-Walcott who has been sidelined since suffering an ankle problem in Hearts’ Champions League qualifier against Austrian cracks, Sturm Graz, in July.
The 24-year-old has missed both domestic and European fixtures but that sublime moment may underline how important the defender could be to the Jambos moving into a tough period of nine games in one month.
His vision and execution was applauded by fans in the 18,000-plus crowd who, overall, lapped up the performance of their favourites in a thoroughly-deserved, 5-0 win.
It was some way to signal a return to domestic duty after the lengthy international break and a superb tonic ahead of their UEFA Conference League home clash with Danish side Nordsjaelland on Thursday (kick-off 20.00).
No wonder Hearts head coach, Wouter Vrancken, was beaming at the final whistle as his men dominated this cash. St Mirren were limited to two chances, Calvin Ramsey, on-loan from Liverpool, making the best of a rare opportunity to fire towards goal but Hearts’ goalkeeper, Beau Reus, stuck out a big left hand to deny him, and, earlier, Luke Thomas should have done better when he fired over from near the Hearts’ penalty spot.
Craig McLeish, St Mirren’s manager, undoubtedly endured a bad day at the office, and added that you can’t give away two penalties and make individual errors against opposition like the current Jambos squad.
He added: “We didn’t look anything like we wanted to.”
Vrancken felt his men were good in and out of possession and he praised the whole team. He also had kind words for Fagan-Walcott, a product of Tottenham Hotspur’s youth development system and a man who made his Spurs debut in a Champions League match.
He has battled back into contention for a side who showed against St Mirren what Vrancken promised in his first press conference, entertaining football.
Some of the slick, first-touch attacking play was a joy to watch, and the home side did not allow The Buddies time on the ball. Furthermore, the three points was a massive plus after a disappointing spell of two matches without a win.
Laurent Mendy warmed fans on a chilly afternoon with a thumping volley after 20 minutes, capitalising on the Paisley side’s brittle defence. He nodded down a free-kick which the visitors did not deal with and the ball returned to the player who lashed it home. The fans erupted.
Then came back-to-back penalties. McPake was grounded as he drove towards goal. Calvin Miller took responsibility and the blasted the ball low into the bottom left-hand corner. Time 32 minutes.
Donnelly made a clumsy challenge on James Wilson just four minutes after he came on at the break and Miller again fired low and hard into the same corner. Chapman guessed correctly but failed to get a hand to the ball. Time 49 minutes.
No 4 arrived only four minutes later. Miller won the ball and cleverly slipped in Braga. His dancing feet fooled goalkeeper Chapman and the Portugal-born forward then cooly rolled the ball into the net.
McPake’s goal was the icing on the cake but Wilson will be kicking himself, indeed he held his head in his hands after fluffing one of several clear-cut chances, as Hearts really dominated proceedings.
After the dust has settled, Hearts remain third in the 12-strong table, three points behind new leaders, Rangers, and two adrift of Celtic who have played a game less. Their catch-up fixture is on Sunday against Motherwell at Fir Park.
The mood on the other side of the Capital is in direct contrast to that exhibited at Tynecastle. Hearts’ announcer broadcast that Hibs, playing under their new manager, Marink Reedijk, lost 1-0 at Dundee United to be third bottom of the table, before wishing Hearts fans an enjoyable Saturday night.
DOUBLE ACT: Laurent Mendy (left) and Calvin Miller, scorers of three of the five goals which dumped St Mirren. Picture by Nigel Duncan
