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.
