Hearts title bid remains in their hands
Hearts 1 - 0 Dundee
Oisin McEntee’s towering header earned leaders Hearts a hard-fought victory over Dundee
Author | Alan White
Stadium | Tynecastle
The victory ensures they head into the international break at the summit of the Scottish Premiership.
Derek McInnes’ side were largely frustrated at Tynecastle, where a disciplined Dundee display made life uncomfortable for the division’s pacesetters.
How Hearts eventually won the game
The decisive moment arrived 13 minutes from time when McEntee lost his marker to power home Marc Leonard’s free-kick, sparking scenes of celebration among the home support.
It secured a fourth successive 1-0 win at Tynecastle for Hearts, despite Frankie Kent’s late red card, as the pressure continues to build on the unlikely title challengers with seven games remaining in their pursuit of a first league crown since 1960.
The wider impact on the title race
Celtic, who lost to Dundee United on Sunday, are now five points adrift, while Rangers sit three behind after their routine victory over Aberdeen on Saturday evening.
The result offered the ideal response to last week’s defeat at Kilmarnock, though Hearts were required to remain patient as tension grew inside Tynecastle as the contest wore on.
The home crowd had seen Claudio Braga and Pierre Landry Kabore pass up promising openings in the first half, while Dundee carried a sporadic threat.
Yet, as has often been the case this season, Hearts found a way, bringing an end to Dundee’s five-match unbeaten run.
