Calem Nieuwenhof marked his first start in almost a year by scoring a stunning goal as Hearts came from behind to defeat St Mirren 3-1 at Tynecastle and climb into the top six of the William Hill Premiership for the first time this season.
The Australian midfielder scored a crucial equaliser against the same opponents in the Jambos’ Scottish Cup win in Paisley just over a fortnight ago when he came off the bench for his first appearance since March 2 last year.
And Nieuwenhof was once again the scourge of the Saints as he curled home a lovely finish from 20 yards out in the 63rd minute to edge his side in front after teenage team-mate James Wilson had cancelled out Mikael Mandron’s first-half opener for the visitors.
Substitute Kenneth Vargas’ added-time goal capped a hard-fought victory that took the in-form Jambos – who were bottom as recently as December 22 – above the Buddies and within five points of third-placed Aberdeen.
Hearts boss Neil Critchley made three changes from the side that started Sunday’s 2-1 win at St Johnstone as Sander Kartum was given his first start since joining in January and Gerald Taylor and Nieuwenhof both came in for their first starts following lengthy injury lay-offs.
St Mirren were unchanged from the side that started the 2-0 win away to Rangers on Saturday.
The Buddies started aggressively and generally prevented their hosts generating any rhythm in the early stages. When Hearts did eventually get into a threatening position in the 28th minute after a brilliant pass from Lawrence Shankland to release Wilson, Saints defender Richard Taylor got back to make a brilliant saving tackle in the box.
The visitors went ahead in the 38th minute when Mandron pounced to lash home the loose ball from six yards out after Declan John’s volley from a Ryan Alebiosu cross was blocked by Hearts defender Michael Steinwender.
Saints threatened again in first-half stoppage time when Mandron headed Killian Phillips’ long throw towards goal but it was held by Craig Gordon.
The Buddies were well worth their interval lead and perhaps surprisingly it was they – and not Hearts – who made two changes for the start of the second half as Elvis Bwomono and Toyosi Olusanya replaced Alebiosu and Jonah Ayunga.
The Paisley men had further chances to extend their lead after the restart, with Taylor heading just wide from John’s corner before Olusanya was denied by Gordon.
Hearts, having offered little, got themselves level in the 56th minute when James Penrice’s delivery from the left was not dealt with by Taylor, who sliced his clearance up in the air, and it dropped for Wilson, who controlled it on his thigh before slotting past Zach Hemming from six yards out.
Nieuwenhof then turned the game in his side’s favour with a sublime finish. Saints midfielder Phillips was shown a red card for a robust aerial challenge on Jamie McCart in the 70th minute, although it was downgraded to a yellow following a VAR check. Vargas sealed the win with a tap-in deep into added time.
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