Hearts returned to winning ways with a BANG as they put the game to bed before the half hour mark.
It was the perfect response from Steven Naismith's side after last week's defeat to Hibs in the Edinburgh derby as they brought an end to a run of five consecutive defeats in the Scottish Premiership to reignite their quest to finish best of the rest behind Celtic and Rangers this season. They now trail Aberdeen by two points - having played a game more - with the Dons hosting Michael Beale and his Light Blues at Pittodrie tomorrow.
The Jambos made five changes from Easter Road and they paid off with Alex Cochrane opening the scoring with a superb low drive into the bottom corner. Minutes later Josh Ginnelly, back from injury, was on the scoresheet as his perfectly timed run and excellent finish survived a VAR check to double the advantage. Skipper Lawrence Shankland put the game beyond the Staggies before the 30 minute with an excellent header as he showed strength to out muscle his marker and turn home Cochrane's cross. He added as second from the spot just before half-time to put the hosts FOUR to the good before the end of the first half.
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Ginnelly grabbed his second of the game with a stunning low finish from outside the box ten minutes into the second period before skipper Shankland's cheeky chip completed his hat-trick with over 30 minutes to play. Ross County grabbed a late consolation strike from the penalty spot to give their travelling support something to cheer but it was a huge win in Gorgie for the Jambos. Here's three things we learned.
Final push
Hearts have finally got that much-needed win on the board as they go into a huge final five games and they did it in STYLE..
The thumping result leaves them trailing Aberdeen by two points in the race for third spot with Aberdeen hosting Rangers.
A massive final run-in begins for the Jambos and Steven Naismith as they look for back to back European group stage adventures.
The losing run is over. Much to the relief of the players and supporters.
Could this be the huge spark they need to reignite their season?
High five
Steven Naismith made five changes from the defeat to Hibs in the Edinburgh derby and it made such a difference.
Josh Ginnelly, Yutaro Oda, Alex Cochrane, Nathaniel Atkinson and Peter Haring got the nod with Alan Forest, Jorge Grant, Andy Halliday and Stephen Kingsley all benched while Michael Smith missed out through injury.
His big calls paid off instantly with Cochrane bagging the opener with a superb low drive just after the 15-minute mark before Ginnelly grabbed the second of the day just minutes later before he doubled his tally in the second half.
Skipper Lawrence Shankland also grabbed a hat-trick in a stunning victory for the Gorgie men.
Big reaction
Steven Naismith called on a reaction from his troops after last week's derby defeat.
And they gave him just that and then some.
Two goals in the opening period of the first half set them on the way against a Ross County side battling for Premiership survival. Skipper Lawrence Shankland then notched a double to put the hosts FOUR up by half-time. The Scotland international completed his hat-trick with Ginnelly also adding another goal to his tally for the day.
A brilliant display from the home side at Tynecastle with a big season finale to come. A ruthless and clinical performance.
An incredible first win in the dugout for Naisy and if it hadn't been for Ross Laidlaw it could have been even more.
READ NEXT:
- Robert Snodgrass vows to tell 'his side of the story' as he breaks Hearts exit silence
- Josh Ginnelly in frame for Hearts return as Hibs absence explained by Steven Naismith
