Edinburgh, 15 January 2026 – Heart of Midlothian continue to astonish the Scottish Premiership, demonstrating resilience and determination as they maintain a six-point lead at the top of the table, despite being considered heavy underdogs this season. Manager Derek McInnes hailed his squad’s latest triumph over St Mirren, marking their second 10-man victory in four days following a dramatic win against Dundee.

The Edinburgh side went down to 10 men just 14 minutes into the match after Beni Baningime was shown a red card, yet they persevered and scored twice in the second half to secure a 2-0 victory at Tynecastle Stadium. McInnes described the result as a “statement” and emphasized the team’s underdog mentality:

“We don’t have the riches of Rangers and Celtic. We’re still paying ‘Hearts wages’ and are the underdog by a long shot,” McInnes said.

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A Siege Mentality Driving Hearts’ Success

Hearts’ performances this season have been defined by resilience and adaptability. While they have occasionally dropped points against lower-ranked sides such as St Mirren, Dundee United, Motherwell, and Kilmarnock, it is in high-pressure scenarios where Hearts have thrived.

• Against Dundee, Hearts secured a 10-man victory on Sunday.
• Just four days later, they repeated the feat against St Mirren, again overcoming adversity.

Pundit Allan Preston praised Hearts’ determination:

“This is a statement result for Hearts. Down to 10 men since the 15th minute, and they deserved to win by more.”

Their ability to perform under pressure mirrors historical precedent: Hearts’ last run of three consecutive wins against the Old Firm dates back to 1960, a season in which they went on to win the league.

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McInnes’ Measured Approach to Title Contention

Despite Hearts’ dominant start, McInnes continues to emphasize taking things one game at a time. With 50 points at the halfway stage of the season, he remains confident but cautious:

“We set a target before the first league game – 18 wins would get us Europe. We’re at 15 now, and we’re not out of January. We just want to knuckle down and keep winning games.”

Captain Lawrence Shankland echoed his manager’s sentiment:

“The circumstances go against us again with the red card, but the other night against Dundee gave us belief that we could do it. Good results always bring confidence. We want to stay at the top, and that’s where we are. We’re just enjoying it.”

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Fans Rally Behind Hearts’ Remarkable Run

Supporters have been quick to celebrate the team’s grit and tactical ingenuity. Hearts fans have highlighted both McInnes’ managerial acumen and the squad’s mental toughness:

• Calum: “Another massive statement from Hearts, showing pure determination and belief under pressure. Derek McInnes deserves huge credit.”
• John: “If Hearts win the league, it will be games like this that define their season. Teams cannot break them down.”
• David: “With the Old Firm busy in European fixtures, Hearts can focus fully on the league, keeping players fit for crucial matches.”
• Peter: “Baningime’s early red card looked disastrous, but McInnes’ tactical changes were masterstrokes. The team executed them perfectly.”

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Hearts’ Title Credentials

Hearts are currently six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, with key fixtures ahead, including a clash with Celtic at Tynecastle. Their blend of resilience, tactical discipline, and sheer determination continues to position them as genuine contenders for the title, despite the financial and squad limitations compared to Rangers and Celtic.

Their recent performances, particularly the two 10-man wins in four days, highlight a squad with both character and cohesion, demonstrating why Hearts are the story of the Scottish Premiership so far.