St Johnstone's difficult away record at Tynecastle Park continued this week, adding another defeat to a long-running pattern of struggles in Edinburgh. The Perth side have now lost 10 of their last 11 Scottish Premiership visits to Hearts, a run of poor form that stretches back years.
According to data compiled by www.google.com, the numbers paint a stark picture for the Saints on the road against the Jam Tarts. Their last victory in Gorgie came in December 2019, a 1-0 win that feels increasingly distant. Since then, they have suffered six consecutive league defeats at the venue. Hearts' current form compounds the issue, as they have now won eight successive home Premiership matches. This is their longest such run in the top flight at Tynecastle since a streak from August to December 2005.
How bad is St Johnstone's overall away form?
The problems for St Johnstone extend beyond just their trips to the capital. Their wider away record in the Premiership is a significant concern. They have managed just one win in their last 14 league games on the road, drawing two and losing the other 11. That solitary victory was their last top-flight win over Hearts, a 2-1 result in February 2022. Currently, they are on a run of five straight away defeats, which began with a 1-0 loss at St Mirren on the opening day of this season. This context makes any trip away from McDiarmid Park a formidable challenge.
Hearts, in contrast, have found St Johnstone to be favourable opponents in recent years. They have won the last 10 top-flight meetings between the two sides. This dominance is a key factor in the wider narrative of the fixture. St Johnstone's current league standing of 6th, with 3 points from their first two games, reflects a mixed start. They have scored 4 goals and conceded 4, leaving them with a neutral goal difference. They sit 3 points behind early leaders Celtic in the title race, a gap they will be keen to close.
Who has been the key difference maker for Hearts?
A major reason for Hearts' success, both against St Johnstone and more broadly, has been the form of forward Claudio Braga. Since the start of the previous season, Braga has been directly involved in 20 Premiership goals. This tally consists of 15 goals and 5 assists. That places him second in the league for goal involvements over that period, behind only Celtic's Benjamin Nygren, who has 24. Braga's consistent threat has been a cornerstone of Hearts' attacking play and a recurring problem for defences across the division, including St Johnstone's.
What comes next for St Johnstone?
With the international break now upon us, St Johnstone have time to regroup before their next fixture. They return to action at home against Dundee United on October 17th. United currently sit 11th in the table, making it a vital opportunity for the Saints to secure points at McDiarmid Park. The full schedule for the coming months can be found on our fixtures page. Improving their home form will be essential, as their away struggles show little sign of abating. The team's current squad depth and recent performances are detailed on our squad page, offering insight into the resources available to the manager.
The challenge is clear. To climb the standings and close the gap to the top, St Johnstone must find a way to become more resilient on their travels. The historical data from Tynecastle is just one example of a trend they must reverse to achieve their aims this season.
