How Hearts went NINE points clear with a new two-goal hero.

Heart of Midlothian began November by strengthening their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a comfortable 4-0 victory over a Dundee team looking to frustrate the league leaders.

A sold-out. Landry Kabore scored his maiden goal for Hearts at Tynecastle Park, and Lawrence Shankland started the scoring with his tenth of the season. Tomas Magnusson came off the bench to score his first goal for the club, completing the scoring.

With Celtic playing in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals this weekend, Hearts seized the opportunity to go nine points ahead with one game remaining before the international break.

Joel and Craig reflect on the events of Gorgie.

Grasping the opportunity

Moments after the final whistle in Paisley and a 2-2 draw with St Mirren, Derek McInnes began to focus on the following two home games, hoping to finish on a high before the international break.

He emphasised that point before of the game, hoping for a big reaction to losing in the league for the second time in nine games.

The team was aware that there was a nine-point lead. It was amusing to hear Celtic and Rangers supporters discussing the Hearts’ score over the week, when the midweek matchups were going place. That reveals a lot about not only Hearts’ current situation, but also how other teams perceive them.

Following the midweek points loss, there will have been many outside watchers watching to see how Hearts responded. Winning was vital.

However, the manner of victory and the result make a strong signal on their own. Hearts took full use of the chance, performing with control and confidence.

They will not only be top come the international break, but possibly by a significant margin. The focus is now on United.

Changes and patience

McInnes stated in the lead-up to the game that Dundee would have been satisfied with a 0-0 draw and the opportunity to return to Dens Park. That was obvious from the first minute. They were set up in a 5-2-3 formation out of possession. That means they were in that shape frequently. Take the first half as an example.

They only made one more accurate pass than Hearts did in the Dundee half. They showed little ambition and had only 35% of the ball. But for 30 minutes, the game plan worked. They intended to frustrate and be difficult to break down. And they were.

It is conceivable that Hearts will encounter this difficulty on a regular basis. Patience is required on the pitch and in the stands, and there was some. Hearts had to deal with the first changes to their starting lineup in seven games.

Did that affect their fluidity? Perhaps. But it was more likely due to an opposition that was focused solely on one issue. Then Lawrence Shankland fired a fantastic shot into the bottom corner.

It is just what Hearts needed, and McInnes was clapping in the build-up, with Blair Spittal, one of the three changes, latching on the ball in the area he wants and sending a great pass down the left for Harry Milne, back at left-back, to run onto and pick out Shankland.

Spittal was also involved in the third goal. His spectacular strike was deflected onto the woodwork before being punched in by Landry Kabore for his second goal of the game after joining the team.

Michael Steinwender, the third change, was solid at centre back alongside Stuart Findlay and dominated aerially.

McInnes was also able to put in players such as Sabah Kerjota, Elton Kabangu, and Tomas Magnusson, who scored his first goal, demonstrating the squad’s depth.

Kabore off the mark

Strikers are judged to a large extent on their goals and there is always the worry that the longer one goes without breaking his duck at his new club, the more of an issue it becomes.

Kabore hasn’t played a lot of minutes. In fact, before this game he’d been subbed off at half time in the two matches he had started for Hearts.

Those were not necessarily a reflection on the player. McInnes took responsibility for the team selection in the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup against St Mirren and the first half against Motherwell was just one of those days.

Since then, the Burkina Faso international has mostly kicked his heels, either on the bench or on the sidelines. In between netting a hat-trick for his country.

Kabore kept himself in contention through his application in training and in Paisley on Wednesday night he was the first substitute to be called on when Hearts were chasing the game.

And just when he thought he was off the mark, after netting a dramatic late winner, it was eventually overturned by VAR.

Kabore must have been cursing his luck the last few days but was given the chance to open his account from the start versus Dundee. It is the first match the forward has started through the middle as he partnered Shankland.

There is constant chaos about him. It feels like he’s always on the verge of doing something brilliant or maybe losing control of the ball.

He was calm within the chaos for his two strikes, however. In the right place at the right time to turn in a knock-down for the first and finish a rebound for his second.

You could see how much the first meant to him, as he exited his knee slide and embraced his manager on the sidelines.

He even threatened to get his hat-trick shortly after his second after twinsting and turning Dundee defenders, but couldn’t get his shot away.

Captain Cammy

For the second time this season, Cammy Devlin finished the game with the armband.

Lawrence Shankland had left, with Craig Halkett on the bench and Frankie Kent in the stands. Even so, it demonstrates his status on the Hearts side. He leads the squad.

He has a contagious personality, as evidenced by his habit of being the first player to celebrate a goal. Or his willingness to win back the ball, something he excels at in the league.

McInnes has repeatedly praised himself since his arrival and has frequently discussed his leadership qualities.

He is someone who sets standards and expects high performance from his teammates, not just in games but also in training. He balances his relentless efforts with a winning attitude.

While Hearts dominated the ball, the two midfielders had to play a key role in the middle of the park. Nonetheless, Devlin led the way in tackles.

He may be a few down the list of captains at Hearts, but the armband fits effortlessly on him.

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