Barrie McKay provided two excellent assists as Hearts enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win over Dundee to ensure they will finish with their highest cinch Premiership points tally in 18 years.
Kenneth Vargas, Alan Forrest and newly-crowned PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year Lawrence Shankland delivered the goals as the third-placed, Europe-bound Jambos moved to 66 points with two games to play, giving themselves a chance of breaking the 70-point mark for the first time since they notched 74 in their memorable 2005/06 campaign.
It was a sixth game in succession without a win for Dundee, whose own European hopes suffered another damaging blow in the Edinburgh sunshine.
Hearts made three changes to the team that started last weekend’s 3-0 loss at Celtic Park as goalkeeper Craig Gordon, McKay – in for only his second start of 2024 – and Forrest replaced Zander Clark, Frankie Kent and Jorge Grant.
Dundee boss Tony Docherty also shuffled his pack slightly after the 3-1 defeat at home to St Mirren as Ricki Lamie, Mo Sylla and Scott Tiffoney made way for Ryan Astley, Malachi Boateng and Michael Mellon.
In a match that kicked off in searing mid-20s heat, the early exchanges were low key, notable only for a couple of delays in play to clear beachballs from Gordon’s goalmouth thrown on by home fans celebrating their team’s return to European group-stage football next season.
The first attempt came in the 18th minute when Hearts attacker Forrest cut in from the right and fired a low shot towards goal from just outside the box but it was easily claimed by Jon McCracken.
The Dundee goalkeeper had to work much harder a minute later to keep his side level as he acrobatically pushed out a powerful Vargas header after the Costa Rican was picked out at the back post by a superb cross from the right by Shankland.
Hearts made the breakthrough in the 35th minute when McKay drifted in from the left and arrowed a delightful ball across the box for the untracked Vargas, who cushioned in a close-range effort at the back post.
Dundee thought they had been handed a chance to equalise four minutes later when they were awarded a penalty after Lyall Cameron’s shot was deemed to have been blocked by Stephen Kingsley’s arm but the decision was overturned following a VAR review.
The hosts seized full control of proceedings in the 53rd minute when a lovely through ball from McKay caused confusion in the Dundee defence and Forrest was able to round the exposed McCracken and roll the ball into an empty net from the edge of the box.
Shankland sealed the win with a clinical low strike from just inside the box in stoppage time.
Let's start our 7M Daily Laugh today. CFC Then & Now !? Summary of England team trophies The Difference Trust the process. Manchester United had a Season to Remember/Forget... Please stay tuned on 7M Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, BleacherReportFootball, originaltrollfootball, AZRorganization)...
Arsenal's Fabio Vieira could be set for a summer move away from the club.The attacking midfielder had become a very peripheral figure towards the end of last season.The return of Emile Smith Rowe and the form of Kai Havertz meant his chances were limited.Per The Athletic, the club may no longer see Vieira as one to hold onto for the long term.The decision Arsenal would have to make revolves around...
Chelsea are considering a move for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford following the Clarets' relegation from the Premier League, according to reports.WHAT HAPPENED?According to The Sun, Trafford has emerged as a top target for Chelsea this summer despite the tough start to his career in the top flight of English football. The Blues reportedly view the 21-year-old as a long-term option at Stamford B...
Cristiano Ronaldo smashed a Saudi Pro League record as Al-Nassr beat Al-Ittihad in their final domestic game of the season.TELL ME MORERonaldo broke the Saudi Pro League scoring record in a single season as he scored twice to guide Al-Nassir to a 4-2 win over Al-Ittihad in their final league game of the season. The 39-year-old broke the deadlock at the stroke of half-time after receiving a long ba...
Manchester United's spot in next season's Europa League is under threat following their FA Cup triumph – and it's all down to INEOS' ownership of French outfit Nice.The Red Devils celebrated lifting a trophy for the second consecutive year after beating Manchester City 2-1 in Saturday's (May 25) final at Wembley. The victory secured their place in the group stage of the European competition ...
Man City star Kevin De Bruyne is eager to sit down with the Manchester club to discuss his future as the Belgian international's contract at the Etihad expires in 2025. The midfielder has been a major part of City's success since joining the club back in 2015 as part of a £55m deal with Wolfsburg but with the player turning 33 this summer, is it time for the the Premier League champions to mo...
Ligue 1 side Reims have shown interest in appointing Carlo Ancelotti's son Davide as their new manager.WHAT HAPPENED?Per RMC Sport, the French are looking for a head coach ahead of the 2024-25 season after Will Still left the club on mutual consent earlier in May. They have identified Ancelotti's son as a primary managerial target and will accelerate their negotiations in the coming weeks.THE BIGG...
Anthony Martial has announced he's leaving Manchester United.Off contract this summer, Martial leaves United after nine years at Old Trafford."It's with great emotion that I write to you today to say goodbye," he wrote on social media."After nine incredible years at the club, the time has come for me to turn a new page in my career."Since I arrived in 2015, I have had the immense honour of wearing...
Paris Saint-Germain are ending their pursuit of Manchester City star Bernardo Silva, according to reports from France.WHAT HAPPENED?Le Parisien have claimed that the Ligue 1 champions are putting an end to their attempts to lure the 29-year-old to the French capital this summer. Silva has regularly been linked with a move to the Parc des Princes, since Luis Campos' arrival as the sporting director...
Man Utd ready to offer £60m for BranthwaiteManchester United are reportedly prepared to offer £60m for Everton's star defender Jarrad Branthwaite in the summer, however, the Toffees value the player £80m.According to the Daily Star, United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe could pull the plug on the deal as he does not wish to overpay for the youngster. The INEOS chief has reviewed the clu...
- 1 Kevin De Bruyne makes future plans clear
- 2 Barcelona defend Women’s Champions League title with win over Lyon in final
- 3 David Beckham kicks couple from wedding venue
- 4 Adam Idah’s last-minute goal sees Celtic beat Rangers in Scottish Cup final
- 5 Ten Hag response over future after FA Cup win
- 6 Lewandowski 'clear' he will stay at Barca
- 7 Pep Guardiola 'expected to leave' in 2025
- 8 Man Utd claim shock victory over Man City in FA Cup final
- 9 Mbappe snaps up £15m mansion in Beckham's old neighbourhood
- 10 Pochettino keen on England & Man Utd jobs