DEREK McINNES might want to keep Hearts’ feet on the ground – but his Jambos are FLYING right now.
The men in maroon grabbed the Premiership’s top spot all on their own as they swatted Falkirk aside.
And more of the same will only back up Tony Bloom’s bullish claim that they are the real deal this season.
Alexandros Kyziridis opened the scoring with a wonder strike in Gorgie.
Lawrence Shankland became the top scorer in the 12-year history of the SPFL when he added a second, his 163rd goal taking him past Peterhead’s Rory McAllister on 162.
Craig Halkett powered home a header to secure the points a few minutes into the second half.
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City neighbours Hibs did their rivals a favour by holding Celtic at Parkhead.
But they’ll know to expect little in return when the pair face off in the Capital next Saturday evening.
McInnes went with the same starters that beat Rangers at Ibrox a fortnight ago.
John McGlynn was unable to select on-loan Lewis Neilson against his parent club.
So Fliip Lissah came in for his first start since joining on loan from Swansea last month.
The 20-year-old came in having not yet kicked a ball for the newly promoted side.
It was a risky call from McGlynn, whose side were looking for a first top flight win in Gorgie since 2009.
But they had the first chance of the game with less than a minute on the clock.
Calvin Miller cut in on his left foot with Alexander Schlowow getting down to stop his shot.
Hearts first chance came in the 9th minute from Stephen Kingsley getting down the left.
He crossed to the back post where Harry Milne headed just wide of Scott Bain’s goal.
Craig Halkett stepped in to deny Ethan Williams a shot at goal in the 14th minute.
The on-loan Manchester United kid had set up both his side’s goals against Hibs in midweek.
And from the resulting corner his cross fell to Brad Spencer, whose shot was held by Schlowow.
At the other end Stuart Findlay, with four goals to his name already, tried his luck from distance.
Bain did well to tip his shot away then held Claudio Braga’s glancing header from the corner.
But the keeper could do absolutely nothing when the Jambos moved ahead in the 23rd minute.
Kyziridis might have been a little lucky to get the break of the ball when he cut in from the left.
But there was nothing fortunate about the finish as he took aim from 25 yards out.
And he crashed an unstoppable looping shot that dipped at the last minute into Bain’s top corner.
We’re only in September but It will be in the conversation for Goal of the Season, that’s for sure.
Braga should have added a second moments later but blazed high over the bar.
Findlay did well to deny Ross MacIver as he looked to turn home Leon McCann’s cross.
Braga ambitiously tried to score with a back flick following a Jambos corner.
Schlowow did well to race off his line and to prevent Miller reaching Lissah’s through ball.
Then the Jambos went close to going two goals ahead six minutes before the break.
Kyziridis was again involved as he threw himself at Milne’s low cross to the back post.
This time Bain could do something about it as he got to his near post to beat his volley away.
But the respite was brief as the men in maroon did increase their lead in the 41st minute.
Shankland picked Henry Cartwright’s pocket after Lissah played a square ball on the edge of his box.
And the skipper drilled a low 20-yard shot past the keeper for his seventh goal of the season.
Liam Henderson was booked following more Shankland harassment in first half injury time.
McGlynn held a long conversation with his staff before heading up the tunnel at the break.
Scott Arfield and Gary Oliver got stripped immediately and replaced Cartwright and Williams.
It changed little with Bain denying Shankland a second from Kyziridis’ pass in the 48th minute.
And the Greek winger was the provider again as they grabbed a third from the resulting corner.
Kyziridis’ cross was met by Halkett, who had no one near him as he powered his header home.
Arfield screwed a shot wide after Miller had got in behind the home defence in the 54th minute.
Miller blazed wide soon after before Bain beat away another shot from Shankland.
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The keeper tipped a Braga effort over in the 68th minute as Hearts looked for more.
And at the other end Schwolow kept his concentration to keep out Dylan Tait.
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