Hearts hammered Aberdeen at Tynecastle as Robbie Neilson's men may have put to bed any question of the battle for third place this season.
The Jambos were on fire from the word go in Gorgie with a first half blitz that sank Jim Goodwin's men without reply as Graeme Shinnie started the downfall in Edinburgh in poor fashion with an own goal before Michael Smith, Lawrence Shankland and Josh Ginnelly got in on the act in the capital.
Cammy Devlin put the icing on the cake to send the Dons asunder as Neilson's men went marching on in their quest to secure third place in the Scottish Premiership.
READ MORE: Robbie Neilson labels week 'huge' for Hearts with Aberdeen at Tynecastle and Hibs in Scottish Cup
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Third-place battle? No bother
Claims were made this week in different quarters that there was to be a 'battle' this season for third place between Hearts and Aberdeen.
Those thoughts, however, may have spurred the Jambos on to annihilate Aberdeen, essentially putting to rest any suggestion the Dons could overcome the Gorgie. It was ruthless from the word go and never looked like a contest at Tynecastle.
Jim Goodwin's men did go 120 minutes with Rangers on Sunday on an unforgiving surface, but looked vulnerable throughout the 90 minutes and could have lost by more than five. Hearts are now nine clear of the Dons.
Swelly Ginnelly
Josh Ginnelly has been on the fringes for Hearts at times but the attacker is back with a bang and playing the best football of his spell.
Often leaving fans wanting more, the Englishman is starting to show why he should be a regular feature under Robbie Neilson after being a fringe man last season.
The 25-year-old was a nightmare for the Dons and will be hoping to terrorise more defences going forward.
Shankland won't stop
Lawrence Shankland knows where the back of the net is - and not just from the penalty spot.
The Scot has been integral with a capital T to Hearts this season and showed up in a big game again.
And what a tantalising battle with Celtic's Kyogo for top scorer, with Shankland on a stunning 16 goals and the Japanese just one ahead.
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