Hearts: Steven Naismith's side lead the way in race for third
- Published
Steven Naismith's side have won seven and drawn one of their last eight league outings.
This time last year, an impressive run of winter form prompted some to ask whether Hearts had already sewn up third spot in the Premiership.
Few had factored in a crumbling of confidence that eventually cost Robbie Neilson his job, nor Aberdeen's revival under interim boss Barry Robson, who was given marching orders of his own this week due to the gap between them and the Tynecastle side.
Neilson's replacement, Steven Naismith, has had to contend with doubters and discontent inside the Gorgie support, but having gone unbeaten in eight league games and winning seven, their cushion this time round now sits at 12 points.
So, we ponder again, is their lead insurmountable?
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Most importantly for Hearts, they have one thing the rest of teams of the division do not - Lawrence Shankland. The Old Firm are included in that sentiment, with fans of both frustrated their sides failed to add a potent striker in January.
The Tynecastle talisman's goal-scoring prowess does not need reinforced. He does his talking on the pitch, shown by another lethal brace in the win over Dundee at Dens Park on Saturday. With the possibility of him departing before the summer now off the table, Shankland can continue to add to his 21 goals and his legacy in maroon.
Away from the league's top scorer, Hearts have solidified what was a ropey defence and have key players back from injury to bolster a competitive squad. The deficiencies that tripped them up last year seem to have been eradicated, making their path to third look reasonably clear.
"After last season, I'd never write anyone off from going on a run," BBC Sportsound pundit and former Aberdeen forward Billy Dodds said. "Hearts are going about it the right way. They've just got that belief. When you've got Lawrence Shankland, you're capable of anything.
"Hearts are showing something special in terms of endeavour, momentum, ability and belief. They've got a bigger squad. If players are not at it, they can switch them out even when they're on their winning run. Naismith doesn't have to mess about.
"The manner they've been getting results, coming out on top when they've been against adversity, that's huge in terms of where they want to be and securing that third spot."
The chasing pack
While Hearts deserve plaudits for the chasm they have opened up between themselves and those left in their dust, the other teams with ambitions of being best of the rest have simply failed to match their consistency.
Nearest challengers Kilmarnock have had a fantastic season, going from relegation strugglers last term to likely top-six finishers. Their deadline day move for former Motherwell striker Kevin van Veen only added to the feelgood factor at Rugby Park.
But despite having suffered just one defeat in their past 11 league outings, only one of their past five have ended in victory, throwing away winning positions to draw three of those.
Another team exceeding their pre-season expectations is St Mirren, who ran out 3-0 winners at fellow top-half hopefuls Hibernian. A swashbuckling start to the season gave the Buddies belief of a European adventure in the summer, but their struggles away from home had them dropping down the table.
Comfortable wins at Pittodrie and Easter Road have addressed that problem for the moment, but the issues being endured by those particular opponents have been stark for some time.
Nick Montgomery apologised to Hibs supporters after his side showed a lack of fight in their battering from St Mirren, which made it one win in eight for a side full of promising players failing to deliver.
The forward-thinking football promised by the Englishman upon arrival has been scarcely spotted in the capital, ramping up the pressure on a hot seat that has been filled on a revolving basis in recent times.
Another club in the managerial mire is Aberdeen, now on the search for their fourth boss in three years. Their holding of league leaders Celtic to a draw on Saturday afternoon suggested they might have the girt necessary to pull another second-half charge together, as well as boasting Bojan Miovski as one of the top-flight's most feared frontmen.
Their next manager has a roster that should make an impact, but whether they can draw out the necessary quality to change the tide remains to be seen.
And while the league's surprise package Dundee deserve immense credit for becoming bona fide top-half contenders in their first season back in the top flight, twice in two weeks they have been pegged back to turn victory into defeat.
On both of those occasions, it was Hearts who overturned the deficit to come out on top. At the moment, no matter what you throw at Naismith's side, they seem to find a way. While last season's collapse will still linger, the pain of throwing it away may just be the fuel they need to get over the line.