Hearts May Now Have the Scottish Premiership Title Sealed – and This Done Deal Proves It

Heart of Midlothian have strengthened their grip on the Scottish Premiership title race, surging six points clear of rivals Rangers and Celtic after a gritty 2-0 victory over St Mirren on January 14, 2026, at Tynecastle Park. Despite an early red card leaving them with 10 men for 75 minutes, Hearts showcased resilience and tactical discipline to secure the win, restoring their lead at the summit.[1][2]

The match unfolded on a frigid night, with St Mirren pushing hard to exploit their numerical advantage. Forward Idowu twice found the net in the first half—a curling strike in the 21st minute and another effort—but both were ruled out for offside. An apparent own-goal by Hearts' Harry Milne also fell foul of the linesman's flag, frustrating the visitors.[1][2] Hearts weathered the storm, with keeper Zander Clark solid and attackers Kyziridis and Braga testing St Mirren's Shamal George before the break.

The opener arrived in the second half when Harry Milne rifled home from close range, capitalizing on defensive lapses. The clincher came in the 80th minute: Milne's shot was parried by George, allowing substitute Tomas Magnusson to nod in the rebound amid wild celebrations. This "done deal"—Magnusson's impactful bench contribution—proved decisive, embodying Hearts' depth and spirit as chants of "We Shall Not Be Moved" rang out.[1]

Rangers boss Danny Röhl predicts a thrilling final-day showdown involving Hearts, Celtic, and his side, praising the excitement of a non-Old Firm leader—unseen since Aberdeen in 1985. Rangers have bolstered their squad with signings like Tochi Chukwuani, Tuur Rommens, and a loan for Wolfsburg's Andreas Skov Olsen, signaling the chase intensifying.[3] With 16 games left and Hearts top after eight matches (22 points, +13 GD), this result sends a clear message: the Jambos possess the mettle for silverware. Belief in Gorgie runs deep.[1][3][5]

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