The Scottish Premiership title race took a dramatic turn in Paisley as league leaders Hearts suffered only their third defeat of the season. A towering 88th-minute header from Miguel Freckleton secured a vital 1-0 win for St Mirren, ending the Buddies’ miserable eight-game winless run and throwing a lifeline to the chasing pack in Glasgow.
While Hearts remains six points clear at the summit, this performance will raise alarm bells for Derek McInnes. It wasn’t just the result that hurt; it was the manner of the performance—one defined by fatigue, toothless attacking play, and a recurring disciplinary nightmare.
The Turning Point: Halkett’s Red Card
The defining moment arrived on the half-hour mark. With Stuart Findlay losing possession in a dangerous area, Hearts captain Craig Halkett found himself isolated. His decision to bring down Jacob Devaney as the last man left, referee Steven McLean had little choice but to produce the red card.
Remarkably, this is the third time in just five league outings that Hearts have been reduced to 10 men. While they have shown incredible resilience in recent weeks—notably beating Tynecastle with 10 men after just 15 minutes—the mountain in Paisley proved too steep to climb. One has to wonder if the physical toll of playing so many minutes a man down is finally beginning to sap the energy of this Hearts squad.
Schwolow’s Heroics Nearly Save a Point
Before the late drama, it seemed Hearts might escape with a gritty point, thanks largely to goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow. The German stopper produced a series of flying saves to keep St Mirren at bay, including a “wonder-save” that drew immediate comparisons to Craig Gordon’s legendary stop at Dundee earlier this season.
St Mirren were dominant throughout, hitting the woodwork twice via Alex Gogic and Alexander Schwolow’s fingertips, while a Marcus Fraser header was chalked off for offside. Even when Steven McLean awarded a penalty for a challenge on Jayden Richardson, it was overturned by VAR as the foul occurred just outside the box. Hearts were punch-drunk, but they were staying on their feet—until the 88th minute.
“Hearts were on the ropes but not floored; punchdrunk, but not on the canvas. Until Declan John delivered the knockout blow.”
Freckleton’s header from a pinpoint Declan John corner was no more than Stephen Robinson’s side deserved. The win moves St Mirren seven points clear of the relegation play-off spot, leaping up to ninth in the table.
Fitba Focus Verdict: A “Carrot” for the Chasers
For the first time this season, Hearts looked tired. The pragmatism of McInnes was evident in the second half, with the visitors clearly settling for a 0-0 draw. However, outfought in the midfield and offering almost nothing in the final third (recording just one shot before the red card), Hearts can have no complaints about the result.
The Title Race Implications:
The landscape has shifted. With mid-week fixtures looming, Celtic and Rangers both have the opportunity to cut the gap at the top to just three points. Celtic face Aberdeen while Rangers host Kilmarnock; both Glasgow giants will see this Hearts slip-up as the ultimate “carrot” to reignite their title charges.
Hearts remain the team to beat, but their lack of discipline is becoming a self-inflicted wound that could define their season. If McInnes can’t fix the red card habit, that six-point lead could vanish before February is out.
Stay tuned to Fitba Focus for full mid-week coverage as the race for the Premiership crown heats up!
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
