Kabangu secures triumph for Hearts against St Johnstone
Elton Kabangu’s brace helped Hearts maintain their positive start to 2025, as Neil Critchley’s team closed the gap to the top six with a 2-1 victory against St Johnstone, who sit at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.
The loan acquisition from January, currently the club’s leading scorer, scored his sixth and seventh goals after joining from Union Saint-Gilloise, surrounding Adama Sidibeh’s equalizer.
Both teams faced difficulties with the muddy playing conditions until Kabangu redirected Shankland’s attempt at the back post, putting the visitors ahead in the 36th minute.
The Saints reacted early in the second half when Sidibeh lowered himself to head in Graham Carey’s cross, but the equality was short-lived.
Moments later, Shankland and Kabangu teamed up once more to quickly give Hearts the lead again right after goalkeeper Craig Gordon made a stunning save to thwart Sam Curtis at the opposite end.
The hosts attempted to equalize again, but luck was against them as Drey Wright’s excellent header was disallowed for offside, and Carey narrowly missed from a deep free-kick. Saints stay six points behind.
St Johnstone’s games are diminishing.
A typical observer would have remarked that St Johnstone needed to secure a victory over Hearts.
Dundee’s loss to Ross County on Saturday opened a slight opportunity for them to focus on the teams above them.
Yet, yet another loss appears to have further diminished their slim hopes of staying in the Premiership with 11 matches remaining.
Manager Simo Valakari requires an extraordinary transformation if his team is to evade relegation, as they face Ross County at home on Wednesday before traveling to play relegation adversaries Dundee on Saturday.
Hearts aim for the top six and Europe.
Hearts have suffered only one defeat in 2025 and are pushing for a top-six position.
After spending most of the season towards the bottom of the table, finishing in the top half or even qualifying for Europe would be seen as a significant accomplishment.
Critchley appears to have discovered the key to success.
The amazing trio of Kabangu, Shankland, and James Wilson troubled Saints’ defense. Kabangu’s two goals position him as the leading scorer for the team, despite joining during the January transfer window, and he also appears to have rejuvenated Shankland.
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The Scottish international set up both goals for the Belgian and seems to relish his deeper position.
Hearts currently have six games remaining before the league’s split, and with several favorable home fixtures included, they will believe in their prospects of securing European football for next season.
What they mentioned
St Johnstone coach Simo Valakari: “Naturally, we feel quite upset. The match was incredibly close.
“Hearts capitalized on their opportunities more effectively than we did.” We were unable to generate sufficient opportunities in the last third. Our final pass during the crossing was inadequate. We posed additional questions in the second half.
“The most frustrating aspect is that we exerted so much effort to equalize, and just minutes later we find ourselves trailing 2-1.”
Hearts manager Neil Critchley: “It was a challenging win.” I believe it was an engaging and lively match with numerous opportunities.
“I’m thrilled for Elton Kabangu to score twice following his letdown last week.” He’s an amazing presence to have at the training ground every day. I believed he was outstanding once more.
“We’re performing well.” “It was challenging, we needed to adjust, but we completed the task.”
