St Mirren v Hearts: player ratings

Here's how the players shaped up at Hampden:

ST MIRREN

Craig Samson - Had little chance with the goals and made two crucial late stops. 7

David van Zanten - Outmuscled in the build-up to the opener but effective pushing forward. 6

Paul Dummett - Could not stop Ryan Stevenson getting a shot away as the Hearts midfielder fired the opener via a deflection off the left-back and soon allowed John Sutton a header that came off the post. But settled down and set up Thompson to score with an accurate first-time cross. 6

Jim Goodwin - Won every ball in the opening 10 minutes and was unfortunate to see his tackle break for Stevenson to fire home. Continued his forceful performance in central defence. 8

Marc McAusland - Put in an excellent late block to stop Michael Ngoo scoring and competed well. 6

John McGinn - The skilful midfielder put in a real hard-working shift and made some good passes after moving to the left. 7

Conor Newton - Struggled to get a grip of central midfield in the early stages but grew in stature as the game went on and finished his goal emphatically. 7

Esmael Goncalves (pictured) - Showed good awareness to get forward for the opener and was a thorn in the Hearts defence after moving up front. 7

Paul McGowan - Grew more influential when Saints moved to a 4-4-2 as he dropped deep to get on the ball. 7

Gary Teale - St Mirren's most positive player during their slow start and his burst forward set up the opener. 9

Steven Thompson - Isolated up front and frustrated early on but played the crucial pass for the equaliser before his first-time finish put Saints in front. More of a threat after St Mirren moved to 4-4-2. 8

Substitutes

Sam Parkin (for Thompson, 77) - Caught in possession in dangerous areas as he struggled to get the pace of the game. 4

Graham Carey (for McGinn, 81) - His run in the dying seconds spelled the end for Hearts' fightback. 5

Lee Mair (for Goncalves, 90) - Came on in injury-time as Saints held on.

HEARTS

Jamie MacDonald - Left exposed by his defence for the three goals. 6

Dylan McGowan - Came back from injury but could not match brother Ryan's Scottish Cup winners' medal. 6

Kevin McHattie - Had a tough task facing Teale but was always a threat going forward. 6

Andy Webster - Strolled through the early stages and was unlucky to be on the losing side. 7

Danny Wilson - Got too tight to Thompson as the St Mirren forward crafted the opener and then not close enough as his opponent put Saints ahead. 5

Ryan Stevenson - Finished well twice and also struck the woodwork twice. 8.

Darren Barr - Experience helped Hearts get on top early on but St Mirren went on to dominate central midfield. 6

Mehdi Taouil - Hearts' most creative player but allowed Newton to run beyond his defence for St Mirren's third goal. 6

Jamie Walker - Put in some decent crosses from the right. 6

John Sutton - Headed against the post from a tight angle but faded like his team. 6

Michael Ngoo - Physical presence caused problems early on but lacked quality on the ball until late on. 6

Substitutes

Arvydas Novikovas (for Walker, 63) - Could not get on the ball much. 4

Jason Holt (for Barr, 70) - Did well in possession. 5

Dale Carrick (for Taouil, 80) - Played his part in the Hearts fightback. 4

Taken from the Herald