Hearts signed off their 2024/25 home schedule with a 2-1 win against St. Johnstone at Tynecastle Park.
The first half saw a Barry Douglas own-goal, coupled with Alan Forrest's third strike in as many games, that sent the men in maroon on their way to a third consecutive win before Sunday's curtain closer against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
Graham Carey netted a second half consolation, but it was a bridge too far for the Perth men.
Interim Head Coach Liam Fox made two changes from the side that swept Motherwell aside last week, with left back Harry Milne makeing his Gorgie debut, coming in for James Penrice who was rested.
Kenneth Vargas missed out through injury, replaced by Yan Dhanda. Ryan Fulton, fresh from a debut and clean sheet at the weekend, continued to deputise for the injured Craig Gordon, with Zander Clark named on the bench. There was also a spot amongst the substitutes for 16-year-old Alfie Osborne.
Hearts threatened first after eight minutes as Harry Milne did well to work Lawrence Shankland into the area with a good ball. The number nine raced forward, but was denied by an excellent tackle from Saints defender Barry Douglas.
The first Hearts goal arrived on 17 minutes, with Douglas going from hero to zero with an unfortunate own-goal. Another good delivery from Milne on the cut-back was hit towards Shankland, with Douglas having the misfortune to poke into his own net from close range.
Hearts were in full throttle, and nearly added a second just minutes later as Yan Dhanda saw his dipping effort crack the crossbar following a well taken free-kick 25-yards from goal.
The Jambos' second landed as the clock hit the half-hour mark. Shankland executed a delightful through-ball between the legs of a blue shirt, allowing Alan Forrest to cut inside and go for goal; sending a lovely strike across goal that rolled into the bottom corner off the inside of the post.
St. Johnstone had a glorious chance to pull one back as half-time approached, with Josh McPake breaking through the Hearts line and aiming for goal. Going one-on-one with Ryan Fulton, the goalkeeper came out on top - sticking a leg to divert his effort away from danger.
HT: Heart of Midlothian 2-0 St. Johnstone
Hearts emerged for the second 45 in the same vein as the first; another fine cross from Dhanda on the right almost bore fruit, but Jorge Grant could only watch as his bullet header grazed the crossbar by inches.
Lawrence Shankland very nearly scored a Humphrys-esque goal from his own half on the hour mark, catching Andy Fisher off his line and hitting a fine ranged strike that went all the way before going wide.
The number nine went close again four minutes later as he gratefully received Forrest's cut-back on the edge of the box. With acres of space to work with, he went for goal with a low drive that sneaked past the post.
St. Johnstone pulled one back after 74 minutes to set up an interesting ending as Graham Carey curled home a good free-kick from distance to make it 2-1.
Substitute James Wilson very nearly added a third for Hearts after 85 minutes as he made a bold dash through the blue line to the edge of the box, pulling the trigger and forcing a save from Andy Fisher.
There was no further action to report, and Hearts sealed another three points ahead of Sunday's season finale in Ayrshire.
Hearts: Fulton, Kent, Halkett, Baningime, Grant (Kartum 90+4'), Shankland ©, Devlin, Forrest (Wilson 64'), Milne, Dhanda (Nieuwenhof 71'), Forrester.
Subs: Clark, Kingsley, Nieuwenhof, Steinwender, Kabangu, Wilson, Kartum, Musa, Osborne.
St. Johnstone: Fisher, Balodis, Griffith (Carey 46'), Holt © (Franczak 59'), Steven, Duke-McKenna, McPake, Kirk (Ikpeazu 59'), Douglas, Curtis (Sprangler 46'), Watt
Subs: Sinclair, Ikpeazu, Clark, Carey, Sidibeh, Kucheriavyi, Sprangler, Kimpioka, Franczak
Attendance: 18,021
