January signings Elton Kabangu and Jamie McCart both scored on their Tynecastle debuts as in-form Hearts secured a 3-2 home win over Kilmarnock to climb from 11th to ninth in the Premiership.
On-loan Union Saint-Gilloise striker Kabangu put the hosts 1-0 up with his third goal in two games and defender McCart restored their lead shortly after Killie’s Bobby Wales equalized early in the second half.
Jorge Grant’s header eventually proved decisive and Fraser Murray’s reply for the visitors ensured a nervy finish for Neil Critchley’s resurgent side as they went six games unbeaten in all competitions.
Hearts made two changes to the side that started their Scottish Cup triumph in Brechin as Yan Dhanda and Kenneth Vargas were replaced by Blair Spittal and James Wilson. New signings Michael Steinwender and Sander Khartum are not included, but captain Lawrence Shankland is named as a replacement after missing five games with a calf injury.
There were three changes to the Killie XI that started the Scottish Cup defeat to Celtic as goalkeeper Robby McCrorie, Liam Donnelly and Brad Lyons made way for Kieran O’Hara, Kyle Magennis and Calvin Ramsay, who made his debut after joining on loan from Liverpool.
Hearts got the breakthrough in the seventh minute when Wilson escaped Robbie Deas on the left and crossed to Grant. The midfielder mishit his volley completely and the ball flew back to Wilson, who diverted it back into the danger area and Kabangu was perfectly placed to head home from the edge of the box.
Kabangu had a good chance to double his tally two minutes later when he was released into the box following a pass from Grant, but the Belgian decided to check inside when he appeared to have a clear run towards goal.
The home side suffered a blow in the 11th minute when Craig Halkett, who has struggled with fitness in recent seasons, limped off after the stretch to cut in a cross. The centre-back was replaced by Lewis Neilson, making his first appearance for the Jambos in nearly two years after being recalled from his loan spell at St Johnstone recently.
Teenager Wilson had two good chances inside the penalty area either side of him after an excellent save from Hearts keeper Craig Gordon kept out a Wales header. In the 34th minute, McCart’s header was ruled out for offside.
Killie boss Derek McInnes replaced debutant Ramsay with Danny Armstrong at the start of the second half.
The visitors equalized within five minutes of the restart when Lewis Mayo came out of defense and crossed the ball from the right for Marley Watkins, whose low cross was headed in by Wales at the near post.
Hearts regained the lead in the 58th minute when McCart headed home from close range from James Penrice’s corner.
The hosts looked to be in full control three minutes later when keeper O’Hara misjudged Deas’ flick which fell back on the edge of the box and Grant, who stood his ground, nodded home. back to the grid.
But Killie pulled one back in the 67th minute when Armstrong’s cross from the right was headed home at the back post by Murray.
Hearts substitute Musa Drammeh spurned three big chances to put the visitors ahead, while Gordon made a superb save to deny David Watson an 86th-minute equaliser.
What the managers said…
hearts safe Neil Critchley: “I didn’t think we were great. We’ve played better recently and I think we played better when we lost here against Kilmarnock (in October).
“We scored three goals, conceded two bad goals, which has been different to us in recent games. That’s who we were six weeks ago (concentrating goals), so it’s something to keep working on.
“We had a chance to finish the game towards the end, and at 3-2 they could throw the ball into the box and create chaos.
Apart from Craig Gordon having to save, we showed a bit of confidence by looking at everything.”
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: “Normally if you come here and score two, you win or get something. Three errors in the game, second and third we should be doing better.
“The first goal was a VAR error. It’s amazing how they don’t give offside. I’m not criticizing (referee) John Beaton or the linesman. The ball is in open play and Kabangu is a yard offside (when Craig Gordon kicks him long), and then blocks Joe Wright.
“I don’t know how it can’t be returned by VAR and how it’s not a foul and offside. That’s what VAR is for and what we pay money for. It’s funny how that goal stood.
“We should have played better and I thought we played most of the second half in their half, but we give away a corner unnecessarily because we don’t pick ourselves up, then the third goal was a mistake where the keeper has to do better. the game is taken away from us.”
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