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💪 It's the stereotype that continues to live on. Big Physical Hearts.

One St Mirren fan account on social media described Hearts as a "very" physical side in the aftermath of the 2-1 win in Paisley on Saturday. It's the easy go-to when coming unstuck against the men in maroon. It's actually a gripe from visiting fans that hasn't been uttered all that much this campaign but it is always there, lingering, waiting to be uttered. On the tip of the tongue of most Scottish football fans. 'Hmmm, what can I say about Hearts?'. If all else fails just reach for the physical description.

There are a few strands to this. 

Firstly, going by both StatsBomb and Wyscout, the average height of the outfield players in Hearts' starting XI was 5ft8. St Mirren's was 6ft. 

Now, height doesn't necessarily mean a team is not physical. But it does confirm the team are far from big. But then you look at the individuals. Frankie Kent, Stephen Kingsley and Alex Cochrane are well-built guys who are capable of handling themselves. Cammy Devlin and Macaulay Tait or not going to shirk a challenge and Kenneth Vargas and Alan Forrest are willing runners. But the Hearts XI was not one that you would describe as physical.

Foul count: St Mirren 14, Hearts 5.

Poll Hearts fans and the view is that Hearts have not been physical enough in recent seasons. Being big and more so physical should be a quality that is worn as a badge of honour. They help bring success in Scotland where there are plenty of games where you need to fight, scrap and battle, head, block and clear, run, press and hunt. 

That's perhaps why both Steven Naismith and Alex Cochrane were keen to point out the team's ability to fight and show resilience as they battled to three points. Both used the term "soft" when looking back at previous seasons.

The team, without being particularly big at any point this season, have shown those attributes when required as the season has progressed.

Hearts weren't "very physical" against St Mirren. They were steely, stubborn, hard-working and hard to beat. And if it is getting back to the point where opponents are reaching for those stereotypes, it should be welcomed. It likely means the team are having success.

Long live the 'Big Physical Hearts' tag.

✍ Speaking of the win over St Mirren. James Cairney provided another extensive breakdown of how Hearts achieved the three points.

As always it is well worth a READ

📺 And if you want to watch/listen to us discuss the game, where it went wrong, why it could have been more comfortable plus praise for Kye Rowles, Frankie Kent, Alex Cochrane, Cammy Devlin, Jorge Grant and Kenneth Vargas, you can do so below: 

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🔜 Coming up this week, we will have an article on how Hearts finally ended their 32-year away win record in the top-flight, a look at how Barrie McKay can contribute between now and the end of the season as well as a chat with Steven Naismith on looking ahead to the transfer window and qualities he looks for in a player.

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