Dundee 2-3 Hearts: Steven Naismith says 'character' in comeback win shows progress
- Published
Lawrence Shankland scored twice late on to held Hearts come back and beat Dundee
Hearts manager Steven Naismith says the "character" shown in another stunning comeback against Dundee shows the progress his side have as they made it eight unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership to move 12 clear in third.
Tony Docherty's side managed to turn a 2-0 half-time lead into a 3-2 defeat in the reverse fixture 11 days ago, and again they were suckered in brutal fashion late on by Hearts, who were led by Alan Forrest and Lawrence Shankland.
Forrest took the ball from Shankland and brought Hearts level four minutes into the second half, after Jordan McGhee had headed Dundee in front before the break.
Dundee produced a wonderful second goal just four minutes later to get themselves back in front.
McCowan combined with Lyall Cameron, who drove up to the edge of the box and smashed the ball past Hearts goalkeeper Zander Clark to cap a fine team move.
At that point, Dundee looked like they had learned lessons after their Tynecastle collapse, going on to create good chances to extend their lead through Owen Dodgson and Zach Robinson.
But when Shankland's shot was blocked by the hand of Lee Ashcroft, the Hearts captain shook off his run of three missed penalties in a row to score from the spot.
He then won the ball on the halfway line, got it back from Kenneth Vargas, before skipping away from a challenge and reversing the ball into the bottom corner beyond goalkeeper Trevor Carson with just three minutes left.
It sparked crazy scenes in the away end as Hearts continued their priceless recent habit of winning games despite not playing at their best consistently.
"The biggest thing for me is our character," Naismith told BBC Scotland. "It's something which has been really questioned and we're showing we can use it - more than we hope to - to get back into games and ultimately win them.
"Our analyst says it's the first time we've won four consecutive [top-flight] away games since 2011. So it's another stat we've managed to change. But the game could have gone either way."
Dundee looked desolate after another good performance against Hearts yielded zero points, though Docherty's young side hold on to sixth place.
Player of the match - Alan Forrest (Hearts)
Lawrence Shankland and Alan Forrest were both brilliant for Hearts and instrumental in their comeback. Forrest gets the nod.
Vibrant Dundee naive as Hearts find a way again - analysis
Docherty was visibly fuming at full time as he went up to referee Graham Grainger to protest about the penalty award, which he described afterwards as "galling". But he will also surely be frustrated his side repeated their mistake of 11 days ago.
The manager said his players had learned lessons from that frustrating night in Edinburgh, and in a sense they did.
In the first game they sat off and invited pressure from Hearts, which eventually told. This time they looked to build on their one-goal lead, the problem was they paid from their profligacy.
Robinson missed gilt-edged chances in front of goal at 2-1 and 2-2, and Dodgson headed against an upright. That ended up being the difference.
Everything good about Dundee was evident, the skill and industry of Luke McCowan and Cameron in midfield, the presence and touch of Amadou Bakayoko, and the quality of Owen Beck.
But again defensively, they were passive and naive when it mattered. There is so much to like about them, but they need to keep their composure.
Hearts have just discovered the knack of winning, which is why they are now cruising into third spot. Shankland and Forrest were the outstanding players.
Forrest created four chances, more than any team-mate, as he added pace and directness from out wide.
Meanwhile, Shankland's 21 goals speak for themselves. Except, that doesn't do justice to how effective he is outside the box too.
There are still concerns about creativity from midfield, which they hope new signing Scott Fraser can solve. But Naismith has instilled a winning mentality, and a grittiness which is invaluable.
It's the first time Hearts have won four consecutive top-flight away games since 2011. A nod to their consistency and mentality.
What they said
Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "I would love to come in after a game and talk about my team and how good they've been. But it seems to be the last five weeks all you do is talk about decisions.
"I just spoke to big Ash there, who is the most honest boy you could meet. What are you meant to do there? Are you meant to cut off a body part? What are you meant to do when you are a yard away from the player and it hits you?
"Hearts are a really good side with a top striker in Lawrence Shankland. I thought we were handling it well but it was just that moment in the game that changed everything."
Hearts manager Steven Naismith: "From my point of view we were always in the game. We started quite well and had a lot of control. But I said at half-time the final third decision making needed to improve to get a better quality of chance.
"The goals we concede are poor from our point of view but overall the performance was alright in the first half. Second half was an entertaining game and we showed more urgency and put more pressure on and got back in the game."
What's next?
Dundee travel to St Mirren on Wednesday (19:45 GMT) while Hearts are also on the road against St Johnstone at the same time.