Gary Mackay: Yes, the Hearts way is always the hard way

IF there's a hard way to do it, then Hearts will do it. Had we won on Saturday our destiny in terms of finishing in the top six would have been in our own hands going into the final game before the split against Kilmarnock.

As it stands, we are now requiring a favour from either Dundee United or Aberdeen.

It seems to be a part of our history as a club that we always have to make things as difficult as possible for ourselves.

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The situation is now in St Johnstone's hands and the fact they have two televised games may just give them a slight edge as they play after us and know what they will have to do, if, indeed, they can beat Dundee United tonight.

On paper, we are probably in a slightly stronger position as they have a couple of really tough games but I certainly am not counting any chickens.

Saints have proved on more than one occasion this term that they are capable of beating anyone in this league.

Whatever happens in Perth tonight, it certainly makes for a massive game at the weekend when Killie come to town.

It's hugely important that the fans play their part.

We need to make sure that we do our business, so that St Johnstone are in a position where they have to win their game at Aberdeen the following day. Of course, if Saints lose tonight then a point will be enough to secure our place in the top six, regardless of how they get on at Pittodrie.

Needless to say, it's going to be a nervy weekend for everyone connected with the club.

We can't take it for granted that we'll beat Kilmarnock. The fact Falkirk won on Saturday also means that Killie, even though they had a good win yesterday, will still be very much fighting for their lives when they come through to Tynecastle on Saturday. Although it's not been a great season by any stretch of the imagination, the team has picked up in the past few months so it would be a huge anti-climax if we don't finish in the top six and give ourselves an outside chance of getting a possible European place through finishing fifth.

It's certainly not as straightforward a situation as it might have been had we got three points on Saturday.

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The obvious positive from our trip to Paisley is that we've come from a goal down to earn a point against a decent St Mirren side.

It was a good overall performance. Marius Zaliukas looked more like himself, Suso had his moments and the midfield did well at times.

On a pitch that wasn't conducive to good football, I thought Hearts managed to play some decent stuff.

But the man who stood out for me was Jamie MacDonald.

The keeper was outstanding, he had two or three great saves. He was only beaten by as clean a free-kick as I've seen for many a year from the young boy Graham Carey, who was very impressive for St Mirren. We've spoken about the goalkeepers before, but we really are blessed with three very decent stoppers.

Although more by accident rather than design, it's worked out well for Jim Jefferies because injuries have meant that he's had a chance to have a look at all three of the goalies – that will help him decide who will be his No.1 next season.

As we all know, Jim is renowned for giving young Scottish talent a chance so this could be the break young Jamie has been waiting for.

He's a particularly nice lad and he certainly hasn't let the Hearts down so far.

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