Neil Critchley challenged Hearts to continue their surge up the William Hill Premiership table after Elton Kabangu’s double helped them secure a “really big three points” away to St Johnstone.
The Jambos, who were bottom of the league as recently as December 22, climbed from 10th place to seventh after digging out a 2-1 victory at rain-sodden McDiarmid Park.
The result leaves Hearts within a point of sixth-placed St Mirren and four off city rivals Hibernian, both of whom they face over the next week, as they bid to push towards the European places.
“It was a difficult game because of the conditions and the pitch,” said boss Critchley. “We’ve had to grind it out and fine margins, as it’s been in all the games we’ve played against St Johnstone, but it’s an important three points having lost (to Rangers) last week.
“That sets us up nicely for an important week. We just have to try and keep winning games of football.
“It’s the start of a big week with nine points to play for – six now, obviously – and the league could look different come the end of the game at Hibs next Sunday.
“This is a really big three points. If you keep winning games, the league table will take care of itself.”
Kabangu bounced back from a string of missed chances against Rangers last Sunday to take his tally to seven since joining on loan from Union Saint-Gilloise last month with his third double in just six starts.
“I’m so pleased for Elton,” said Critchley. “He’s such a positive guy, so infectious, exactly the type of person we want to bring to Hearts, with that character.
“He was disappointed after last week, naturally, but he bounced back today because of his mentality, which is outstanding.”
Hearts were indebted to goalkeeper Craig Gordon for pulling off what Critchley described as “an incredible save, a match-winning save” to deny Sam Curtis just after Adama Sidibeh’s equaliser and moments before Kabangu’s decisive strike.
Saints, who remain six points adrift at the bottom of the table, were also left to rue the contentious decision to chalk off what would have been an equaliser from Drey Wright for offside in the 68th minute.
“Hearts’ goalkeeper makes a wonderful reflex save, and then, as happens in football, the next attack the opponent will score, and that happened,” said Saints manager Simo Valakari. “That hurts, but that’s football.
“These are small margins. We believe that in these last 11 games, they will turn in our favour. If not, then of course it’s not easy to win these matches if you don’t get these small margins on your side.”
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