Hearts started 2026 with a bang as Craig Halkett's first half header proved enough to see off a tricky Livingston side 1-0 at Tynecastle Park.
Victory in Gorgie sees Hearts open up a six point gap on the second and third placed Old Firm following Celtic's defeat at Parkhead earlier in the day.
Derek McInnes made three changes to the side that was defeated in the Edinburgh derby; new recruit Jordi Altena made his debut at right-back in place of Michael Steinwender.
Meanwhile, Harry Milne replaced Stephen Kingsley on the other side, whilst Beni Baningime slotted in for the injured Oisin McEntee - the victim of a hamstring injury during the week.
The Jambos had to wait until ten minutes in for their first big chance. Patient play saw a Kyziridis cross pick out Shankland at the far post; he poked the ball across the face of goal, but a diving Tomas Magnusson could only slide the ball past the near post.
A minute later, Hearts went again, forcing two bites of the cherry before Claudio Braga smashed an almighty hit towards goal before being deflected behind by Ryan McGowan. There was suspicion of handball, but VAR said otherwise following replays.
From the resulting corner, this sudden maroon onslaught saw another chance go astray, Lawrence Shankland's header flashing over the crossbar and into the Roseburn following a cute delivery from Harry Milne.
Hearts didn't have long to wait for an opener, arriving after 18 minutes. Debut boy Altena earned himself an assist with a floated ball into the area, with Craig Halkett leaping to send a looping header beyond Jerome Prior and into the Livi net.
The second almost arrived soon after; Ryan McGowan escaping an own-goal after accidentally poking a Cammy Devlin long-ball towards his own man - Prior reacting to tip it behind.
Livingston went close for the first time after 25 minutes, Scott Pittman linking up with Tete Yengi to thread him on goal in a crowded Hearts goalmouth: doing well to turn and get a shot off that rippled the side netting.
Proceedings hit a flat spot, and the game settled for a good ten minutes before Hearts fashioned two chances in quick succession; Kyziridis forcing Prior into a recovery save after catching him off his line from distance, before Claudio Braga screwed a chance just wide after another good delivery via Shankland out wide.
Jerome Prior produced a world class save after 41 minutes to deny Hearts once more: Shankland again played provider with a sublime cross that tumbled into the area. Harry Milne met it with a thumping header - and Prior somehow got across in time to claw it out.
HT: Heart of Midlothian 1-0 Livingston
Livingston came out swinging in the second 45, and played some patient football to get a punch back in at the Jambos; Tete Yengi culminating some build-up play from the Lions with a short range jab at goal that Alex Schwolow flew out to save.
Two minutes later, and Schwolow was called to arms again, Tete Yengi rolling away from Stuart Findlay before trying his luck with another low strike - the German 'keeper sticking a hand out to divert before Milne poked behind.
The Jambos weathered a storm of Livi possession after that, and just kept turning over the ball constructing their own response, and some control was needed to keep the resurgent Lions at bay.
That spell ended soon after and the match cruised towards an unremarkable finish, with Frankie Kent introduced from the bench as the boys in maroon shored up at the back to try and nail the three points down.
Five minutes of added time set up a nervy ending to proceedings at Tynecastle, and Livingston had one last throw of the dice with a Connor McLennan header - but it sailed into Schwolow's gloves as the Jambos secured three points.
Hearts: Schwolow, Halkett, Baningime, Shankland, Braga (Kerjota 75'), Devlin, Milne, Findlay, Magnusson (Kent 86'), Altena (Steinwender 75'), Kyziridis
Subs: Gordon, Kent, Kingsley, McCart, Kabangu, Steinwender, Spittal, Forrest, Kerjota
Livingston: Prior, McGowan, Susoho, Pittman (Danso 71'), McLennan, May (Zimmerman 71'), Finlayson, Kabongolo, Sylla (Muirhead 83'), Montano, Yengi
Subs: Myles, Kerr, Muirhead, Smith, Bokila, Wilson, Zimmerman, Danso, Lawal
Attendance: 18,504
Hearts Debut: Jordi Altena
