Particularly in the first half, Malachi Boateng was again extremely impressive in the Hearts midfield. He's proving to be a real bargain.
His near goal-line clearance in too was crucial at the time.
Image source, SNSSeb Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic's German football correspondent, tells the BBC's Scottish football podcast about the remarkable rise of Hearts' Conference League opponents Heidenheim.
Read more: Will Heidenheim fairytale continue at Tynecastle?
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Before the final international break of the year Hearts have two matches which, if all goes to plan, could set the Jambos up for an exciting end to 2024.
First up is the visit of Heidenheim to Tynecastle in what should be another enthralling night of football under the lights.
The Bundesliga side arrive in the capital on a poor run of form with only one win in their last six matches. That came against Cypriot side Pafos in this Conference League campaign.
However Heidenheim, like Hearts, know a victory on Thursday is likely to guarantee at least a play-off spot for a last-16 place early in the new year.
Hearts complete their big week with a trip to Ibrox on Sunday to take on Rangers, who have also had a troubled start to the season.
The Ibrox club incredibly sit nine points behind leaders Celtic and Aberdeen and have dropped 11 points in their opening 10 league matches. Can Neil Critchley's side add to Rangers' woes?
For Hearts the announcement this week of a financial loss of £1.2m should come as no surprise given the lack of European football last season.
However, there is a belief from all within Tynecastle that the financial deficit declared will be no more than a blip and the figures up to the end of June next year will be much more positive.
Kye Rowles is eager to help goalkeeper Craig Gordon win his 100th clean sheet for Hearts in his 300th appearance for the club against Heidenheim on Thursday. (Record), external
Heidenheim were still in Germany's amateur leagues when Hearts faced Bayern Munich in the Tynecastle club's famous 1-0 Uefa Cup win in 1989, though they could not complete an aggregate victory. (Scotsman - subscription), external
Meanwhile, Heidenheim coach Frank Schmidt is concerned Hearts' aggression and energy may catch his side off guard in Thursday's Conference League encounter. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external
Image source, SNSHearts last defeated a German side in the 2000 Uefa Cup, when the Edinburgh side beat Stuttgart 3-2 but went out on away goals.
Hearts and Heidenheim both won their opening two Conference League games, with the Edinburgh side sitting sixth and the Germans in ninth having scored one less goal.
Hearts sit second bottom of the Scottish Premiership but have only lost once in five outings.
Heidenheim are 12th in the Bundesliga and have only won once in six outings.
Hearts have won three and lost six of their nine matches against German opposition, while Heidenheim have never previously faced a Scottish side.
Hearts have won three and lost two of their home games against German visitors, losing the most recent - 1-0 to Schalke 04 in the 2004 Uefa Cup group stage.
Cassio Lincoln scored Schalke's winner at Murrayfield Stadium after Hearts' Patrick Kisnorbo was sent off.
Hearts last defeated a German side in the 2000 Uefa Cup, when the Edinburgh side beat Stuttgart, who finished with nine men, 3-2 but went out on away goals.
Image source, Getty ImagesHeidenheim head coach Frank Schmidt says it's "unbelievable" to be leading his hometown side out against Hearts on Thursday in the Conference League.
Schmidt has been in charge since 2007, but his association with the club stretches even further back after joining as a player over 20 years ago.
"It is an incredible journey which has taken a long time," said Schmidt, whose side host Chelsea later this month. "It goes all the way back to lower leagues where I started as a player. I had a beer after every game, and even after training!
"I took over as coach in the fifth division. If someone told me that 17 years later, we would be in the Conference League, we would have needed to do some sort of mental examination.
"I'm not really thinking about how incredible it all is. It's more that we deserve to be where we are. We are always striving to improve. Although we come from a small place in Germany and we don't have a huge history in professional German football, we still deserve to be where we are.
"It's exciting for me. Alex Raaf, our team manager, started with me together as players in the sixth division. Now we are sitting here ready to play against Heart of Midlothian. It's unbelievable."
Image source, SNSNeil Critchley has challenged Hearts to replicate Celtic's European success by also beating Bundesliga opposition when they host Heidenheim in the Conference League.
Brendan Rodgers' Celtic came from behind to defeat RB Leipzig 3-1 at Parkhead in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Hearts, who have won three of their previous four Tynecastle meetings with German sides, are aiming to maintain their perfect Conference League start on Thursday.
"I watched that game last night and I thought Celtic were very good," said Critchley.
"A similar result would be nice. Celtic were fully deserving of their victory, so hopefully we can be the next Scottish team to win against German opposition."
Hearts have faced Czech, Belarusian and Cypriot sides in their European campaign so far, but Critchley says the prospect of the Tynecastle club meeting a German team for the first time in 20 years adds an extra dose of excitement.
Heidenheim are in Europe for the first time after finishing eighth last term in what was their first-ever season in the Bundesliga following their remarkable rise from the German seventh tier.
Their manager Frank Schmidt has been in charge since 2007, when they were in the fifth tier, and his team currently sit 12th in Germany's top flight.
"It does create that little bit more anticipation in the type of game you might be playing and seeing how good they are," he added.
"We know we're in for a big test, but if we can play the game we want to play then we know it'll be a really good game."
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSHead coach Neil Critchley has been talking to the media prior to Hearts' Conference League match against Bundesliga side Heidenheim.
Here are the key lines:
He says his side are "refreshed" and "ready for a big challenge" at Tynecastle on Thursday.
Critchley has faith in his team to continue their perfect Conference League start if they can "play the game we want to play".
The Hearts boss says Heidenheim's rise from Germany's seventh tier has been "incredible" and "unbelievable".
Although Critchley says "you could say they're not in a great moment," he feels they are "very hard to break down" and "very dangerous" on the counter-attack.
He adds that Hearts must ensure they are "very good with the ball" - and if they lose it, "make sure we're losing it in certain areas" as Heidenheim will break with "aggression and intensity".
Neil Critchley has not ruled out January signings despite chief executive Andrew McKinlay saying the Englishman is looking to work with a smaller squad and the Hearts head coach has revealed that he has been involved in the early transfer window preparation last week. (Edinburgh Evening News), external
Beni Baningime admits it is weird to finally be playing under Neil Critchley, four years after snubbing the new Hearts head coach when the midfielder rejected a move from Everton to Blackpool. (Football Scotland), external
Glasgow's Subway will remain open for fans of Rangers and Hearts following Sunday evening's Scottish Premiership fixture at Ibrox, where the sides will kick-off at 17:00 GMT. (The Herald), external
Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Greg Playfair
Fan writer
The only thing that mattered last Saturday was Hearts managed to finish the week with a victory and are off the bottom of the table.
Following the momentum-halting loss at Tynecastle to Kilmarnock last Wednesday, head coach Neil Critchley had to ensure the side bounced back with a win up in Perth. We played well in large spells but as soon as that controversial VAR intervention for the penalty went against us, we looked nervy for 15 minutes or so after.
Thankfully for us, Beni Baningime channelled his inner Zinedine Zidane and decided to dribble past half the St Johnstone side before laying on a plate a ball for Kenneth Vargas to slot in our winner and take the three points back down to Edinburgh.
Vargas has come under flack this season, especially after his miss against Aberdeen, but his composure has certainly improved and Lawrence Shankland will be hoping his fortunes turn in his favour with regards to getting the ball in the back of the net.
It's now at the period where Shankland and Critchley will start to wonder when the next goal will come, especially with the tough run of fixtures coming up starting with Heidenheim at Tynecastle on Thursday.
There's no doubt Shankland will lead the line against the Bundesliga side, but you'd imagine opportunities at goal will be at a premium. It's really exciting to think a victory would very likely take us into the next round of the Conference League and we'd have continental action to look forward to after Christmas for the first time since 1989's UEFA Cup clash with Bayern Munich.
The bean counters at Tynecastle would happily welcome more money coming into the club following the publication of last year's financial results. It's been reported that there's a financial deficit of £1.2 million in operating losses and that's been attributed to the lack of European group stage action last campaign.
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke discusses Lawrence Shankland's inclusion in the latest national squad, despite only scoring once for Hearts so far this season.
Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter
Beni Baningime made the difference for Hearts as they earned a gritty win at St Johnstone. His run for the second goal was superb.
Watch the best of the action as Hearts edge out St Johnstone 2-1 in Perth.
(Available to UK users only)
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSBeni Baningime admits Hearts were "outplayed" by St Johnstone, but the midfielder believes the gritty 2-1 victory could spark their season to life.
The 26-year-old set up the winning goal for Kenneth Vargas in his first game after returning from injury.
"I'm feeling good and I am glad that I am feeling better," Baningime told BBC Scotland.
"I thought that was a team effort. I don't believe we were at our best but the boys defended brilliantly. I am just happy I got the assist.
"I thought we showed great character. We were not at our best and they outplayed us the majority of the game.
“[The dressing room] It's buzzing and we cant wait for the next game. At times we have played better and lost. We are not playing well but getting the win, this could change our season."
We asked for your thoughts on Hearts' 2-1 win against St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.
Here's what some of you said:
Colin: Another half decent performance, but still lacking in the final third. We need to start finishing teams off. Lawrence Shankland's touch in front of goal deserted him but he's still contributing with assists and general play. It's a work in progress and I feel a tough season ahead. Hopefully we can get into the top six and get a cup run.
Max: Beni Baningime was man of the match for me, he had a bad season last year, but this season he is back to when he first joined the club. Hearts had to fight for the win. They have played better, but right now I will take any points no matter how, to move up the table.
Steven: Big three points for Hearts and Neil Critchley. One defeat in four matches now and the defeat was our own fault. Got a few tough games coming up so this win was vital. Baningime showing his quality but he's too often injured. When he plays we are a better team but he’s injured so much. Probably why he is at Hearts and not Everton.
Benny: The manager needs to work out how to get the team playing like they did after St Johnstone equalised. We pummelled them for 10 minutes, until we got the goal, then sat back again. If we could keep up that intensity through the early part of games, we could score a few and put them to bed. Thankful to have Beni back – he makes us tick!
Anon: Shankland is severely lacking confidence, he is desperate for a goal. As soon as he finds his touch it will ignite the squad. Beni shows how important he can be, only midfielder currently who can turn under pressure and run past a few and pick a ball. We should be seeing more of this from Blair Spittal and Yan Dhanda. Where have Musa Drammeh and Andres Salazar disappeared to?
Charlie: An ugly win, but a win just the same. A good start but it is evident that the players tire as the heavy schedule takes its toll. Despite strengthening with Europe in mind, we are still short of trusted players. The VAR intervention is puzzling given that grappling at corners is endemic in the Scottish game. Baningime is a class player.
Alexander: A good battling win from Hearts, I like how animated Neil Critchley was on the sidelines. It's a difficult run of fixtures ahead in November, but we have been due a slice of fortune, and there's a real sense of excitement about the European fixtures.
Jamie: Tough game. Ground out the win. But a win is a win and we will take the three points. Still think there is a lot of players in the squad not good enough to wear the badge, but onto next game as the say.
Image source, SNSBeni Baningime assisted his first goal in the Premiership this season. Kenneth Vargas scored his second goal in the Premiership this season, netting for the first time since 19 October against St Mirren.
St Johnstone have conceded six goals to opposition substitutes in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.
Hearts have scored four goals via substitutes in the Premiership this season, only Celtic (five) and Aberdeen (six) have scored more.
St Johnstone have conceded six goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Hibernian (eight) have conceded more in the Premiership this season.
Were you at McDiarmid Park or following the game from home? Either way we want your views on Hearts' victory over St Johnstone.
Let us know your thoughts here, external.
Image source, SNSHearts head coach Neil Critchley tells BBC Scotland: "We had to work really hard for that, particularly in the second half.
"We can win in different ways, which is really pleasing. We defended the goal, really well, I thought.
"We've had to really put a shift in, physically."
Image source, SNSBeni Baningime (centre) made an impressive return to Hearts' midfield before setting up the winning goal against St Johnstone.
