Josh Ginnelly scored a second-half double as Hearts defeated St Johnstone 2-0 at Tynecastle to move eight points clear of nearest rivals Motherwell in the race for third place in the cinch Premiership.
It was a fourth win in five games for Robbie Neilson' s high-flying side, while Saints were left to rue an eighth consecutive league defeat that keeps them two points adrift of Dundee at the foot of the table.
Scotland centre-back John Souttar started for Hearts despite anger from some of the club's supporters over the fact he agreed a pre-contract with Rangers last week.
