Hearts instant analysis: Key players seize chance in win over Livi

Two goals from Stephen Kelly gave the Lions a shock two-goal lead before Hearts roared to life, putting four past their opponents before the break.

Joel Sked and James Cairney give their instant analysis of an entertaining afternoon in EH11.

From sloppy start...

The first 30 minutes of the match at Tynecastle Park was spectacularly bad from a Hearts perspective. A collective failing that saw the team fall 2-0 behind to the side propping up the bottom of the Scottish Premiership. Make no mistake, Livingston were miles better in the opening stages and fully deserved their lead. They didn't look like a side heading to the Championship. It was a complete contrast to their last trip to Gorgie. They were aggressive and got after Hearts. The home side simply didn't match their intensity. They were sleepy, sloppy and generally stinking. The second goal epitomised that. Nathaniel Atkinson took a throw-in to nearby Frankie Kent. As soon as that happened Livi pounced. Within seconds they had won the ball back and it ended up in the back of the net. The defender had words with Kent clearly expressing that he didn't want the ball. But it shouldn't be a case of picking on individuals. The team as a whole were not at it. Hearts have been notoriously bad in recent years at the business end of the season. Steven Naismith talked about getting as many points as possible. What will help the team make inroads to the Old Firm is that mentality when their standards don't drop against teams who are playing for something more substantial and scrapping for every single point while Hearts themselves are comfortable in third.

... to comeback kings

The solace from the opening half hour was that the team still had another hour to produce a comeback, plus past evidence. Hearts had fallen 2-0 down to both Dundee and Ross County earlier this campaign only to come back and win and draw respectively. This team don't know when they are defeated. A fantastic quality to have. They weren't beaten. Not even close. Once they had got a goal it was only going to end one way: a Hearts win. Ideally, the team are not regularly falling two goals behind but the belief, confidence and calmness that Naismith's men can exert has been hugely encouraging. When they got ahead they controlled proceedings and were able to play with comfort, aside from a wee spell after the break. There is a resilience and character that runs through this group of players.

READ MORE: Steven Naismith on 12 months at Hearts: The challenges, learnings and the future

McKay offers reminder

Barrie McKay returned for a first start since a 2-0 win over St Mirren in December – and only a fourth start of the season in total – lining up on the left wing and injecting some creativity into Hearts’ attack. There were a few neat reverse balls early on from the playmaker that caught out the Livi defenders, and he linked up nicely with Alex Cochrane down the left-hand side throughout. A clever pass through to Lawrence Shankland just before the half-hour mark opened up the Livi defence, allowing the striker to square it to Jorge Grant to pull it back to 2-1. Ten minutes later he played a crucial role as Hearts went 3-2 up, drilling a precise through ball up to Shankland, who clipped it on for Cochrane. A neat pass across goal and a bundled finish from Cammy Devlin later and the turnaround was complete. Supporters don’t need to be told just how important a player McKay can be on his day, but this performance served as a timely reminder. His creativity has been sorely missed at times this season and although we saw it in flashes against Livingston, it’s hard to escape the notion that the best it still to come from the 28-year-old.

Oda stakes his claim

Another player who hasn’t started all that many games recently, and another who seized his opportunity with gusto. Yutaro Oda has had to settle for a place on the bench in recent weeks, but the Japanese was preferred to Kenneth Vargas for this one and quickly made his presence felt. It was Oda who drew Hearts level 30 minutes into the game, turning in Shankland’s drilled pass across the face of goal after Ayo Obileye missed a header, and some quick thinking from the winger – not to mention some clever use of his body – saw Oda latch onto a loose ball back to Shamal George, winning a penalty on the cusp of half-time that Shankland coolly converted to put Hearts 4-2 up at the break. This was the sort of attacking display that fans have been crying out for all season – and Oda’s efforts were absolutely fundamental to Hearts’ success.

READ MORE: Steven Naismith provides Calem Nieuwenhof injury update after Livingston win

Gordon returns

The Hearts legend spoke before the match about how returning to play in front of the fans at Tynecastle Park was one of the milestones of his return from a double leg break. He had played at Tynie in a bounce game against The Spartans during his recovery while all of his competitive appearances have been away from home in the Scottish Cup. He was given the opportunity, replacing Zander Clark who had performed to a high standard. This afternoon wasn't the homecoming he would have been hoping for. Goalkeepers are famously their own biggest critic and perhaps there will be some frustration with the two Livingston goals. The first one was incredibly awkward. He read the long ball brilliantly but it bounced at a tricky height so he couldn't get the purchase on it to clear it or control it. The second one was a great strike by Stephen Kelly. The Livi midfielder perhaps gave Gordon the eyes but he was able to fizz in a shot at the goalkeeper's near post. Aside from those two goals he didn't have too much to do, saving a shot with his legs but it turned out to be offside.

Captivating Cammy

Watching the diminutive Aussie go about his business is great fun. He runs and runs, cajoles and encourages, presses and goes hunting. His personality is infectious and it feeds into the crowd. The Hearts support responds to his attitude. Devlin, like many others in maroon, struggled in the first 30 minutes. But he soon grew into a pivotal figure. He set the tempo out of possession just by simply challenging and putting pressure on the opposition. He was also positive and progressive with the ball. Some passes in behind didn't come off but it was encouraging that he was trying it. He began the move which led to the best goal of the game. Oh, and he finished it as well. It was a great bit of play and something Naismith will likely want to see more of. He wants Devlin to become a box-to-box midfielder. He certainly has the energy and determination to succeed at it. The standing ovation when he was replaced was well deserved.

Subs show squad depth

There have been times this season where Naismith has looked a little short of options in one or two specific areas, but that wasn’t the case against Livingston. As important players have returned from injury, Hearts’ bench has grown more formidable by the week – and in the team’s final pre-split league game, the squad depth was on full show. Stephen Kingsley and Kenneth Vargas, two of Hearts’ most consistent and impressive performers this season, were introduced around the hour mark, while Alan Forrest – arguably Hearts’ most improved player this season – was introduced 10 minutes later. It felt as though each substitution strengthened Hearts rather than harming them, and each player brought on would walk into most other Premiership teams’ starting line-ups. As we approach the business end of the season, all of a sudden Naismith has multiple options all over the park and plenty of competition – and that can only be a good thing.