Hearts 2 St Johnstone 0

May 7 2012 By Anthony Haggerty

RUDI SKACEL reckons he’s kissed goodbye to Tynecastle for ever.

Hearts manager Paulo Sergio isn’t so sure even though the Czech star tweeted pre-match that this might behis Gorgie swansong.

The sight of Skacel doing a lap of honour and throwing his shirt to the fans did made it all look pretty final.

A trademark goal that put the Jambos on the road to victory added to the emotion but Sergio said: “I don’t know if this was Rudi’s last game at Tynecastle. I’ve had noindication of that.

“He’s a fantastic player and really important for Hearts. He scored a great first goal for us but I don’t know what will happen in summer.”

Andy Webster chipped in with a goal in the second half as the Jambos grabbed fifth spot from St Johnstone in the scrap for a Europa League spot.

Hearts will book the ticket if they equal or better Saints’ result next weekend. The Perth side host Rangers while Hearts travel to meet Celtic.

But in the last game of the season at Tynecastle, Skacel stole the show by hoisting his goal haul for the campaign to 16.

Sergio was delighted with the result. He said: “This game was very important to us because we got the three points and we are now in fifth spot.

“That means we did our job and it helps build the confidence of the team in the matches that are to come and I am happy because of that.

“It is to our credit that we did not allow St Johnstone to play and I believe we were in control of the match from start to finish.”

Dundee United clinched fourth spot with their victory over Celtic at Tannadice but there was still a huge amount at stake for both sides inthis clash.

The situation was cut and dried forSt Johnstone.

Steve Lomas’ side knew victory would see them finish fifth andautomatically seal a place in Europe for the first time since they were third in the top flight under Sandy Clark in season 1998-99.

But European qualification was more complex for Hearts.

A win would see them leapfrog Saints into fifth and leave them two points ahead with one more game to play in the SPL.

Hearts would also qualify for an automatic Europa League place if they defeated capital rivals Hibs in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden on May 19.

The Jambos handed a first start in goal to Scotland Under-21 star Mark Ridgers who was called in after Jamie MacDonald took ill.

Saints had the first real attempt at goal after just eight minutes when Jody Morris rifled in a 20-yard shot from Marcus Haber’s knockdown that whistled past a post.

Perth midfielder Liam Craig earned the game’s first yellow card for a cynical foul 30 yards out as Andy Driver bore down on the Saints goal.

Former Hibs and Celtic star Derek Riordan was singled out by the Hearts fans when he emerged from the technical area after 14 minutes to warm up.

Ridgers almost presented Saints with the opening goal after 17 minutes when he misjudged Dave Mackay’s cross into the box but Cillian Sheridan failed to direct his header on target.

However, Hearts took the lead in 21 minutes with a goal of sheer simplicity.Skacel’s first attempt at a shot was blocked brilliantly by David McCracken but the ball was shunted out to Ryan McGowan who cut it back from theright and it fell invitingly for the Czech midfielder to sidefoot the ball homefrom 10 yards.

Four minutes later Skacel blasted the ball high over the top from six yards as Hearts began to turn the screw.

The Perth outfit almost scrambled an equaliser after 30 minutes when Liam Craig’s corner was met by Steven Anderson and directed goalwards by Murray Davidson but Ian Black, playing in his last home game for Hearts, hacked the ball off the line.

Jambos captain Marius Zaliukas blew a golden opportunity to double the lead after 38 minutes when he aimed hisfree header down and wide fromBlack’s corner.

Saints battled back and Ridgers superbly tipped Callum Davidson’spiledriver from 20 yards over the bar.

The second half was nine minutes old when Morris thundered in another effort from long range that Ridgers held high at the second attempt.

Seconds later Hearts suffered a blow when midfielder Darren Barr limped off to be replaced by Scott Robinson.

But the Tynecastle outfit made it 2-0 after 58 minutes when Webster stabbed home his fourth goal of the seasonfrom close range following Grainger’s free-kick after Morris had fouledSuso Santana.

Grainger enjoyed the moment as the former St Johnstone man cupped his ears to the travelling band of Saints fans who had been giving their former hero stick throughout the match. Moments later Zaliukas flashed a header just past a post as Hearts went in search of a killer third goal.

Lomas sent on Riordan and Jamie Adams for Chris Millar and Murray Davidson in a bid to rescue something from the game.

Riordan fired in an effort that went high over the top as the match began to peter out.

Yellow cards were dished out to Saints duo Davidson and Morris as well as Jambo ace Grainger in the second half but Hearts pushed the Perth men from fifth spot after their fourth post-split loss on the spin.

The Tynecastle defeat left St Johnstone relying on Hearts slipping up atCeltic Park this weekend while theythemselves will have to beat Rangers at McDiarmid Park.

However, the dream would not be totally dead if results don’t go their way as Saints could still sneak into the Europa League if Hearts win the Cup.

Taken from the Daily Record