FT: Falkirk 0-2 Hearts
We'll call it a (long) day here.
Hearts move six points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership after a win at Falkirk in dreadful conditions.
There's a big game coming up tomorrow, with Celtic and St Mirren meeting at Hampden in the Premier Sports Cup final.
Who will be going home with the first silverware of the season?
Image source, SNSFT: Falkirk 0-2 Hearts
Falkirk manager John McGlynn tells BBC Scotland: "The key moments are the goals. The game's hardly started and we're a goal down.
"We did really well to stay in the game and worked hard. The moment for us is when Kyrell [Wilson] goes round the goalkeeper. If he scores that, it's level and we get a massive lift from that and it puts pressure on Hearts.
"We probably didn't do enough in the second half. We got into some good positions in the wide areas but our crossing wasn't great. So, quality in the final third is what I'm frustrated at."
On Harry Milne's block with his arm from Wilson's shot, McGlynn accepts it was not a penalty.
"I haven't seen it, but that seems to be the verdict I'm getting from everyone else," he said. "So fair play."
On going four games without a goal, McGlynn added: "The four games are the four teams above us in the league, who are vying for the league.
"The key games for us at the next two. We go to Kilmarnock and Dundee, these are the games we have to go and score goals and pick up points to keep ourselves in the same area of the league."
FT: Falkirk 0-2 Hearts
Ryan Stevenson
Former Hearts forward on BBC Sportsound
If Jamestown are involved, then amazing, but I think Derek [McInnes] will be massively involved in this signing. Fans love seeing Scottish players coming through.
It's a bit like my career when I had a bit of a wander then I got an opportunity at Hearts. It was the best thing that ever happened to me.
FT: Falkirk 0-2 Hearts
Josh McPake has had a rollercoaster career but he's found a home at St Johnstone and the penny has dropped. He'd be a real coup for Hearts if they get that over the line.
Image source, SNSFT: Falkirk 0-2 Hearts
Derek McInnes has also told us there are talks ongoing with St Johnstone winger Josh McPake.
The Championships' top scorer, who scored twice in last night's win over Ayr United, has 13 goals so far this season.
"I don't know if it's all agreed or where it's at," McInnes said.
"But it's a player who is of interest to us. We've been in touch with St Johnstone to notify them.
"It's something we expect to get done. But I can't really comment until that is factual."
FT: Falkirk 0-2 Hearts
Hearts manager Derek McInnes tells BBC Scotland: "It's the type of conditions which can bring a lot of frustration. It's not easy for the players.
"We had to play to the conditions. We had two quality moments for the goals.
"We get off to the perfect start. Good combination play, great strike from Lawrence and Braga following in.
"Then I thought we were guilty of overplaying. We just needed to turn the ball over and keep it simple, play the percentages in the conditions.
"Harry had tidied a mess up on the line but, by and large, I thought we were very professional. We did what needed to be done, especially second half.
"We're just thankful for that second goal. It's a magnificent strike from Stephen.
"A lot of teams would have struggled today. It wasn't pretty. But it's December, it's Scottish football. You've just got to get in get the points, and get out."
Image source, SNSFT: Falkirk 0-2 Hearts
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes references the filthy weather, saying it was a difficult night for players to be at their best.
"You've just got to get in, get the points and get out," he tells BBC Scotland.
More from the Tynecastle boss coming up.
FT: Falkirk 0-2 Hearts
Lee Miller
Former Falkirk manager on BBC Scotland
John McGlynn will be disappointed with the way his team performed in the final third, it was a bit hurried and hopeful, but it's been a really successful season so far.
Yes, he'll dissect this game, but they'll move on and they'll be okay. I tipped them for top six and I still think they'll get there.
FT: Falkirk 0-2 Hearts
That's four games without a goal for Falkirk, who have two games on the road coming up against Kilmarnock and Dundee.
FT: Falkirk 0-2 Hearts
What next for the league leaders?
A home game with Rangers, then a derby visit to Easter Road.
Two crackers to end 2025.
FT: Falkirk 0-2 Hearts
Lee Miller
Former Falkirk manager on BBC Scotland
Claudio Braga never gives defenders a moment's peace. He's a joy to watch up front with Lawrence Shankland. They just bounce off each other.
Image source, SNSClaudio Braga (left) and Stephen Kingsley got the goals for Hearts
FT: Falkirk 0-2 Hearts
Ryan Stevenson
Former Hearts forward on BBC Sportsound
Hearts were in cruise control by the end.
Hearts go six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Claudio Braga scored in the second minute after Scott Bain pushed a Lawrence Shankland shot on to the crossbar.
Substitute Stephen Kingsley then crashed in a stunner moments after coming off the bench in the second half.
Image source, SNSFalkirk 0-2 Hearts
'We shall not be moved' is the song coming from the Hearts fans.
The dream is very much alive.
Falkirk 0-2 Hearts
Four minutes added and a lot of the home fans have seen enough.
Falkirk 0-2 Hearts
Brad Spencer with a curling shot that drifts well wide of the Hearts goal.
Alexander Schwolow hasn't had a serious save to make as we enter the 90th minute.
Falkirk 0-2 Hearts
Ryan Edwards and Dylan Tait clash heads and Hearts replace the outstanding Cammy Devlin with Jamie McCart during a break for the Falkirk pair to receive some treatment.
Falkirk 0-2 Hearts
Falkirk's Sam Hart goes into the ref's book for a tired swipe after taking a poor touch in the middle of the park.
Falkirk 0-2 Hearts
With the visiting fans in fine voice, on come Elton Kabangu, Blair Spittal and Sabah Kerjota.
Lawrence Shankland, Alexandros Kyziridis and Claudio Braga make way.
Falkirk send on experienced centre-half Ryan Edwards for Filip Lissah.
Falkirk 0-2 Hearts
Falkirk are leaving gaps now as Hearts stream forward seeking a killer third goal.
An offside-looking Lawrence Shankland rather scuffs his low shot and Scott Bain saves with his feet.
Claudio Braga headed in Hearts' opening goal after just 66 seconds
At a glance
Braga heads in after 66 seconds for league leaders
Falkirk's Wilson rounds keeper but has effort blocked by Milne's arm
Kingsley lashes in from 25 yards to take Hearts six points clear of Celtic
Goals from Claudio Braga and Stephen Kingsley gave Hearts a precious victory over Falkirk in atrocious conditions as the Scottish Premiership leaders stretched six points clear of Celtic.
After last week's win at Celtic Park and with the defending champions playing in the Premier Sports Cup final on Sunday, Hearts had the opportunity to re-build their advantage and got the perfect start.
Braga reacted sharply to Lawrence Shankland's fierce shot being parried by goalkeeper Scott Bain to head Hearts in front after just 66 seconds.
After that the game became an engrossing battle amid howling wind and sheets of rain, but was eventually settled when substitute Kinglsey lashed in a beautiful shot from the edge of the box on 77 minutes.
Falkirk, who were aiming to nudge back into the top six, played positively but lacked a cutting edge.
Their best chance to level came when Kyrell Wilson was played in and the forward rounded goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow, but his goal-bound shot was blocked by the arm of Harry Milne.
It left Falkirk screaming for a penalty, but the referee was clear Milne's arm was tucked in to his body and in a natural position.
Despite staying in the fight well into the second half, John McGlynn's side never seriously threatened and managed just one effort at goal after the break.
Hearts stayed in control and got the moment of quality from Kinglsey which took them to an 11th win from 17 league games.
Derek McInnes' side have a six point advantage over Celtic, which puts the pressure on Wilfried Nancy's team to make the most of their two games in hand.
Are Hearts title contenders? The perennial question in Scottish football this season.
After the 3-1 win over Celtic at Tynecastle October, they went on to win only one of their next six games and give the impression they might not be quite ready for the challenge.
The task this time after last week's win in Glasgow is to harness the momentum of another win over the defending champions.
In that sense coming away to a Falkirk side who have been beaten once at home all season in horrible conditions was another good test of their credentials.
We did not have to wait long to get a response as they played the weather perfectly in the opening minute. A free-kick was flicked on by Craig Halkett, and quick play allowed Shankland to let rip.
Braga, as always seems to be the case, was rapid to react and head in, almost taking Bain with him into the net such was his enthusiasm to net his eighth league goal.
After being put under pressure by Falkirk in spells in the first half, Hearts then showed the nous of an experienced team to turn the tide in the second half.
They consistently forced the home side to turn and defend and, when a bit-part defender comes on and scores from 25 yards, you know it could be a good season.
Kingsley's quality of his left foot is well known, but when he replaced the relentless Harry Milne the thought would have been about shoring things up.
He had other ides as he almost took the net off with a searing shot. It rounded off a professional Hearts display.
It also knocked the stuffing from Falkirk, who competed well again but have now gone four games without a goal.
They have at least managed a draw from two of those games and they were all against teams above them, but they look like they need more up front if they are to maintain their impressive league position.
Hearts manager Derek McInnes: "We had to play to the conditions. We had two quality moments for the goals.
"We get off to the perfect start. Good combination play, great strike from Lawrence and Braga following in.
"Then I thought we were guilty of overplaying. We just needed to turn the ball over and keep it simple, play the percentages in the conditions.
"I thought we were very professional. We did what needed to be done, especially second half. We're just thankful for that second goal. It's a magnificent strike from Stephen.
"A lot of teams would have struggled today. It wasn't pretty. But it's December, it's Scottish football. You've just got to get in get the points, and get out."
Falkirk manager John McGlynn: "The key moments are the goals. The game's hardly started and we're a goal down.
"We did really well to stay in the game and worked hard. The moment for us is when Kyrell [Wilson] goes round the goalkeeper. If he scores that, it's level and we get a massive lift from that and it puts pressure on Hearts.
"We probably didn't do enough in the second half. We got into some good positions in the wide areas but our crossing wasn't great. So, quality in the final third is what I'm frustrated at."
Falkirk go to Kilmarnock next Saturday (15:00 GMT) in the Scottish Premiership, while Hearts host Rangers the following day (13:30).
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 34 | 13 | 21 | 38 |
| |
| 15 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 25 | 11 | 14 | 32 |
| |
| 17 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 27 |
| |
| 15 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 22 | 13 | 9 | 26 |
| |
| 16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 27 | 18 | 9 | 24 |
| |
| 15 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 21 |
| |
| 17 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 19 | 26 | -7 | 21 |
| |
| 16 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 21 | 25 | -4 | 17 |
| |
| 15 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 14 | 22 | -8 | 14 |
| |
| 17 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 15 | 31 | -16 | 13 |
| |
| 16 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 30 | -14 | 12 |
| |
| 16 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 17 | 31 | -14 | 9 |
|
Manager: John McGlynn
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Derek McInnes
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: John McGlynn
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Derek McInnes
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Scottish Premiership
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Falkirk are winless in their last six top-flight meetings with Hearts (D2 L4) since a 2-1 victory in September 2008.
This will be Heart of Midlothian’s first top-flight visit to Falkirk since a 1-0 win in December 2009. Hearts have won each of their last three away league games at newly promoted opposition.
Falkirk are unbeaten in their last six home league matches (W2 D4), their longest run in the top-flight since going seven without defeat from October 2006 to January 2007.
With 35 points in 16 games, Heart of Midlothian have made the best start to a Scottish top-flight season by a non-Old Firm club (Celtic/Rangers) since 2005-06, when Hearts themselves had 37 points in their opening 16 games.
Hearts’ Cláudio Braga has scored more away goals in the Scottish Premiership this season than any other player, with five of his seven strikes in the competition coming on the road, including last time out at Celtic.
