Josh Ginnelly is in the thick of things again, working a crossing opportunity with terrific wing play down the right.

His fizzed delivery is begging for a taker, but evades both Shankland and Forrest in the box as it skids out of play.

The chances keep coming at both ends and this time it's Hearts winger Josh Ginnelly letting fly with a speculative attempt from distance.

It needed to be something special. It wasn't.

Craig Gordon doing Craig Gordon things.

The Hearts keeper springs to his left and tips away Ali Crawford's bending strike that was destined for the bottom corner.

Hearts so close to a third goal as Alan Forrest makes a yard of space with quick feet then curls an effort off the face of the bar.

Nathaniel Atkinson's race is run after he landed heavily following an aerial challenge with Adam Montgomery.

Having already lost Kye Rowles and Liam Boyce today, defender Atkinson is Hearts' third injury casuality.

Connor Smith is now on in his place.

Hearts send for in-form winger Alan Forrest as they seek to regain the lead.

Forrest - who was absolutely electric in the first half against FC Zurich on Thursday - replaces Gary Mackay-Steven.

Allan Preston
Former Hearts and St Johnstone defender on BBC Sportsound

Chances at both ends, with Hearts' Lawrence Shankland having a shot saved after a woefully short backpass puts St Johnstone in trouble.

The visitors break up the other end and Graham Carey's drive is tipped over by Craig Gordon to concede a corner.

Saints have made two changes at the break, with defenders Liam Gordon and Adam Montgomery on.

Daniel Phillips - who was on a booking - and James Brown make way.

Can the second half live up to the bedlam of the first? Let's find out...

More from Dundee Utd boss Jack Ross, who says speculation over his future is "natural".

Ross says it is up to the club's owners whether he is given more time, but that he still has "belief in my managerial abilities, based on what I've done previously".

He adds: "The drive and passion to succeed remains. I want to put this right. I want to fix it.

"I'm suffering at the moment from that embarrassment from a professional perspective.

"When you're in a period like this, any speculation, heat, debate, discussion over your position is natural and I have no issue with that whether it's internal or external. You cannot shy away from it."

Image source, sns

Dundee United manager Jack Ross has spoken to BBC Scotland following his side's thrashing earlier this afternoon.

"Humiliating and embarrassing," he says. "For me, as manager, to be in charge of the team that delivered that. For the players to be part of it. For the football club.

"We offer them an apology because it's nowhere near good enough. You shouldn't concede that number of goals at any level of football, irrespective of the standard of the opponent.

"We're continually looking for answers but right now we haven't found them. We're searching for them in terms of personnel and system but right now we're a long way off finding them.

"I'm pretty protective of players and will continue to take the criticism that will rain down on the back of today. I'll take my share and the players need to own their responsibility."

Craig Easton
Former Dundee Utd midfielder on BBC Sportsound

Hearts have hit back to lead after an incident-packed first half.

Graham Carey pounced on Craig Gordon's mistake to put St Johnstone in front, but Kye Rowles and Liam Boyce netted headers to turn the game.

Both Hearts scorers - and Saints' Melker Hallberg - were forced off injured before the break.

Image source, SNS

Almost an instant impact for Lawrence Shankland as he dispossesses Daniel Phillips and gets a shot away.

Remi Matthews does well to make the save and St Johnstone eventually hoof clear.

Michael Stewart
Former Hearts midfielder on BBC Scotland

Applause rings out at Tynecastle as striker Liam Boyce is carried off on a stretcher.

Lawrence Shankland comes off the bench as Hearts lose a second player to injury in the first half.