Neil Critchley heaped praise on his Hearts side after securing an important three points against St. Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.
A Nicky Clark own-goal and Kenneth Vargas strike netted the Jambos precious Premiership points in Perth on Saturday, with the boss most pleased at how his team responded after a difficult defeat to Kilmarnock in midweek.
“Yeah, it was a big three points to respond the way we have done today in a really difficult game,” he told Hearts TV.
“Great game, lots of action, lots of entertainment, chances at either end and to come out as winners, and the manner in which we won the game, was so pleasing.
“I thought we started the game really well, showed a good response from Wednesday night. We were on the front foot, got numerous corners, scored from one of them, which was good. We were pleased with the first half.
“In the second half, we lost a little bit of energy. They started on top and actually when they scored, we then responded. It probably gave us some life and energy.”
The second goal in particular from Hearts was a particularly delightful watch as Baningime went past four St. Johnstone players before setting up Vargas’s winner with a sumptuous finish.
Especially after Saints pulled a goal back at the start of the second 45, Neil believes his players took the lessons from the midweek defeat to Killie at Tynecastle to heart.
“A fantastic second goal, Beni does brilliant, Kenny finished it off,” he smiled.
“And then we've had to really grind out, put bodies on the line, defend set-pieces, defend long balls. And I thought we did that brilliantly well.
“We've got great character in the group. That was the message from Wednesday night.
“I said it straight after the game to the players that I'm looking forward to the next few days because we're going to find out so much about each other. And that was the message before the game today. Good teams don't get beat twice on the bounce.
“We've got to show character, we've got to respond and we've got to show what we're about. We're in a tough situation and it's up to us to change it. It's only us who can do something about that.”
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