Euan Mclean Reports

GOAL hero Eggert Jonnson epitomised the guts 10-man Hearts needed to climb out of a hole one of their team-mates had dug with his latest stupid red card. The rookie Icelandic ace deserves to be the talk of Gorgie for his superb performance filling in at centre-half for the first time in his career - and capping it by scoring the winner 12 minutes from time.

But instead it was the first half dismissal of Michael Stewart that was the talking point - and how the Jambos hothead owes his young team-mate for getting him off the hook.

Hearts players and fans howled with outrage at the midfielder's 41st-minute straight red for wildly kicking out and pushing Hugh Murray - a ridiculous overreaction to the Buddies man's attempts to muscle him off the ball.

But if they are looking for someone to aim their rage at they need only watch TV replays and point the finger at a player whose anger management issues have repeatedly let the side down.

Stewart's talent is undeniable but too often his hair-trigger temper has sparked needless disciplinary raps, particularly his shameful display against Dundee United in January.

That game, the first SPL match since Phil O'Donnell's death, was supposed to be carried out in the spirit of sportsmanship and give football a sense of perspective.

Instead it turned in to a shocking rammy that saw three Hearts players red carded including Stewart for losing the plot and shouting abuse at fans.

Yesterday his conduct was again inexcusable as he dashed out of midfield with Murray nipping at his heels.

Stewart managed to release his pass before lashing out with with a wild kick at the St Mirren man then pushing him in the chest.

In the ensuing chaos it took ref Mike McCurry almost three minutes to make a decision - and only then after his fourth official Bobby Madden had pulled him aside - but it certainly was the right one.

It was Stewart's third red card in two seasons.

The Jambos had already lost Saulius Mikoliunas in 27 minutes through a knee injury as he tangled with John Potter while making one of the rare shots on goal in a dull first half.

But Stewart's marching orders seemed to spark something deep inside the Hearts pals he'd left in the lurch.

And they deserved boss Csaba Laszlo's glowing praise for the guts they showed to grind out their first win in six matches.

Their courage was matched by St Mirren's frustration at failing to make the extra man count as boss Gus MacPherson went through all but one of his strikers trying to find an edge.

In a game to forget the deadlock was finally broken 12 minutes from time when Andrew Driver's perfect free-kick found Jonsson rising to head the ball home past keeper Mark Howard.

A fitting finish to a fine performance and the goal hero said: "Thatwas the first time I've played at centre-half for the first team but I'll play anywhere to get a game."

REF WATCH

MIKE McCURRY took ages but was right to send off Michael Stewart. Most of the ref's decisions were fair. Rating: 7/10.

Taken from the Sunday Mail