Hearts Extend Unbeaten Streak with Resilient Draw Against St Mirren
Almost a year after suffering their first league defeat of the season at St Mirren, Aberdeen's title aspirations faced a significant challenge. The Pittodrie side, which had been level on points with Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership, experienced a downturn in their campaign.
This past Wednesday, as Hearts surged to an 8-point lead at the top of the table, Stephen Robinson's St Mirren took a 3-1 lead in Paisley. However, Derek McInnes' team showcased remarkable resilience and fought back to secure a draw, maintaining their unbeaten start to the season.
The match could have ended in a victory for Hearts had Oisin McEntee not been ruled offside in the build-up to Pierre Landry Kabore's late disallowed goal. Despite the draw, Hearts remain in a strong position, potentially extending their lead to 12 points before Celtic plays their next match.
“It’s crucial for us to win against Dundee this Saturday,” McInnes stated in an interview with BBC Scotland. “If we do, this point will be viewed positively. If someone had told me at the start of the season that after 10 games we’d be six points clear of Celtic, I would have taken that without hesitation. That’s where we currently stand.”
Hearts Eye Opportunity to Extend Lead
With Celtic set to compete against Rangers in the League Cup semi-finals on Sunday (14:00 GMT), they will not be playing in the Premiership this weekend. Conversely, Hearts will host Stephen Pressley’s Dundee at Tynecastle on Saturday (15:00), with the opportunity to extend their lead to nine points with a victory.
Next weekend, both top teams will play on Sunday, with McInnes’ side facing Dundee United (15:00) while Celtic hosts Kilmarnock an hour later. This scheduling means Hearts could build a 12-point cushion before the reigning champions complete their next league match.
Of course, there are no guarantees for Hearts in their upcoming matches, and even if they win, Celtic will still have a game in hand to close the gap. Nevertheless, this represents a significant opportunity for McInnes' team to increase their advantage at the top of the table.
McInnes Addresses Set-Piece Concerns and Praises Team Mentality
After the match, McInnes reflected on a controversial moment when St Mirren appeared to score a third goal, which was disallowed due to an offside call involving Mark O'Hara, who was deemed to have interfered with play. The decision was upheld after VAR review.
Despite the contentious moments, McInnes acknowledged that his side looked vulnerable during set-pieces, a concern he highlighted after the match. “We’re disappointed with the goals we concede. It’s the first time we’ve looked susceptible to set-pieces,” he commented. “However, I thought we performed well overall.”
McInnes also praised his team’s mentality, noting that the players’ determination to secure a winning goal was palpable. “The support remained until the end because they sensed another goal was imminent. As a manager, that’s a fantastic feeling, knowing the players are giving their all.”