Derek McInnes lauded Stephen Kingsley’s quality after the substitute helped Hearts move six points clear at the top of the William Hill Premiership by sealing a hard-fought 2-0 win at Falkirk.
The left-back unleashed a magnificent strike on the bounce from 20 yards in the 77th minute – just three minutes after he entered the fray – to add to Claudio Braga’s header after just 65 seconds.
“I’m so blessed that I’ve inherited so many good players and Stephen Kingsley’s one of them,” said manager McInnes, whose side made it back-to-back wins following a four-game run without victory.
“It’s a wee reminder of how much quality he’s got.
“I’m delighted for him. I was delighted when the second goal went in because it takes a bit of oxygen away from Falkirk and we got over the line quite comfortably in the end.
“I think we had more possession, more shots, more corners but on a night like tonight it just needed us to be single-minded with our approach and just deal with what was in front of us.
“I think a lot of teams would have slipped up here tonight. I’m not trying to say we’re all that, because we’re not, but the conditions were difficult – it’s Scottish football, it’s December – and it’s just important you get back on the bus with the job done.
“To get a clean sheet against a team who normally create a lot of chances, I think my keeper’s only had one save, we had to do a lot right to keep them away from our goal and we deserve a lot of credit for that.”
Hearts are reportedly set to land a pre-contract agreement with St Johnstone attacker Josh McPake. McInnes confirmed: “There is an interest, as far as I’m aware it’s not been done yet. St Johnstone are aware of the interest.”
There was a flashpoint just before half-time when Falkirk striker Kyrell Wilson went round Alexander Schwolow and saw his goalbound effort blocked just before the line by the arm of Hearts left-back Harry Milne, but no spot-kick was awarded as the officials deemed – following a swift VAR check – that he had not made his body unnaturally bigger.
Bairns boss John McGlynn, whose side have failed to score in their last four games, had no complaints about the decision.
“I thought we matched them but the key point for us was when Kyrell went round the goalkeeper and if the strike goes in, we’re 1-1 and it’s game on,” he said. “If we get that in the back of net, it gives us a great lift and puts them under a little bit, and who knows?
“If they (the officials) have not taken a long time over it (the decision not to award a penalty), they’re probably 100 per cent right. I’ve not seen it back but I think from the information I’m getting now, I think it was fair.”
