Saturday April 11th 2026
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Adam Bowen
Hearts hosted Motherwell in a massive game as both teams looked to get back to winning ways.
It was Motherwell who had most of the ball in the first 10 minutes of the game however they suffered a big scare as Braga dispossessed the Motherwell keeper in the box but luckily for them Braga’s pass across goal was cleared away.
However, it was Motherwell who opened the scoring after a great low cross from Maswanhise found Fadinger following a brilliant run into the box however his contact was poor. But he got away with it as the ball followed through to the back post where Longelo slotted the ball home with 50 minutes on the clock.
It didn’t take Hearts long to get one back thanks to a great corner to the back post where Findlay headed it into a dangerous area where Braga’s overhead kick (he pretty much fell back and put his leg up) ended up in the back of the net.
Then around the 75th minute mark Motherwell missed a massive chance. Maswanhise received the ball in the middle of the pitch before driving forward into acres of space making his way into the box where his fake shot sent McEntee sliding along the floor. With so much time and space with just the keeper to beat he composed himself, however he dragged the shot wide missing a really good opportunity which could have completely changed the outcome of the game. He knew how much of a chance it was as he lay on the ground in disappointment.
Kabore went up for a header and as he fell down to the ground he managed to head the ball before the Motherwell defender, Stephen Welsh, kicked him in the back of the head instead of the ball. The referee didn’t give it on field but following a lengthy VAR review a penalty was awarded. Tynecastle was silent as Shankland took the penalty drilling the ball into the bottom left corner clipping the post on its way in.
After winning the penalty, once again it was super sub Kabore who received the ball on the halfway line during the 6 minutes of additional time driving forward making it to the box before cutting slightly out to get a better angle on the shot, ultimately shooting low under Ward’s dive making it 3-1 to Hearts and sending Tynecastle into complete joy.
The fans were in loud voice for the remaining minutes with McInnes even pumping his arms in the air in time with the chant ‘we shall not be moved.’
It was another title winning performance from Hearts, getting across the line in a tough game against an extremely good side. Although Motherwell goes home empty handed, they will still be happy with the performance and opportunities they made away from home against the league leaders.
When McInnes was reflecting on the game he said that Hearts were ‘under the cosh’ however he still felt ‘calm’ and believed Hearts would find a goal. Regarding the penalty he said that he hadn’t seen it back yet, but a couple of the Motherwell players said to him that it was a penalty. Shankland also commented saying it was a stonewaller. He was also asked about McEntee’s injury saying that it is his hamstring and he will be a doubt for the first game post-split at Easter Road.
Finally, he touched on the atmosphere at Tynecastle saying that he ‘loves’ it, describing it as brilliant.
Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou was ‘really proud’ of his sides performance although he was ‘extremely disappointed’ with the missed chances, ultimately saying that the scoreboard should have been the other way with all the chances they had today. He also touched on the Tynecastle atmosphere saying that it really spurs Hearts on. In terms of the penalty, he believed that it was ‘very soft.’
That being the last game before the split means Motherwell go into their final five games in 4th place, three points above Hibs. Hearts continue their reign at the top of the table three points above Celtic and four ahead of Rangers. However, Rangers play Falkirk so four could become one.
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