Decisive figure sets Hearts on their way against St Johnstone | OneFootball

Josh McPake supplied the killer pass in the ninth minute to open the scoring as Hearts beat St Johnstone 2-1 at Tynecastle Park.

Receiving between the lines on the left, McPake slipped James Wilson through for a composed finish (9.), a move that set the tone for the Jambos' front foot play.

He stayed busy before the break, cutting in to draw a low stop from Toby Steward (43.). After the restart, his clipped pass teed up Blair Spittal to rattle the bar (68.), keeping The Jam Tarts dangerous whenever space appeared.

The winger's output matched the eye test: one assist, two key passes and four crosses. He also won five fouls and recovered possession eight times, repeatedly turning defensive moments into territory for Hearts.

Because he kept finding pockets wide and central, McPake drew markers out of shape and gave Hearts a reliable outlet to relieve pressure and restart attacks.

The Jam Tarts rise from fourth to second in the Scottish Premiership, while St Johnstone drop from sixth to eighth. Hearts visit Hibernian next, St Johnstone travel to Dundee.