Hearts boss Frankie McAvoy heaped praise on his players after watching them pick up an opening day triumph against St. Johnstone.
The Jambos overcame the Perth Saints at a historically challenging venue for the club at McDiarmid Park with goals from Lawrence Shankland and Yutaro Oda sending the Jam Tarts on their way.
And with the stands in Perth packed with a 4000+ contingent of travelling Hearts supporters, the manager was satisfied to deliver a result in the season curtain-raiser.
“All credit to the players, they’re the guys that have got to go out and do the hard graft on the pitch,” he told Hearts TV.
“It was probably a wee bit sloppy to begin with and with the way we want them to play, it’ll take a bit of time.
“Historically, Hearts haven’t done very well here so it was always going to be a tough game. They were probably a wounded animal after coming out of the cup last week but we’re just delighted to get those two goals in the second half.
“All in all, I’m delighted for everybody connected with Hearts and the magnificent support today deserve a special mention. Well done to them for coming and backing us and hopefully they can go back down the road tonight and enjoy it.
“That said, this one is done and we’re on to the next one. Our focus shifts now to Rosenborg where we’ll do our utmost again and get the players ready as best we can. Today, we were good. You’ve to go out and earn the right to win and today I thought we that in spells.”
