Hearts 2-0 Dundee: Analysis

The drought is over, the floodgates opened, and Shankland finally scored a goal – and then another – in maroon again.

Given his strike-rate in the last two seasons, the last 70 days must have felt like an eternity.

The pressure has told at times, particularly against Cercle Brugge in the Conference League when he missed a late penalty, but now the weight has lifted.

That should, in theory, allow Hearts to rise up the table.

They were up to 10th before Kilmarnock’s late leveller at Dundee United. They are just three points off eighth-placed Ross County, with a better goal difference than the teams immediately above them.

Domestically, an away trip to Kilmarnock follows before they host St Johnstone and Hibs, finishing 2024 with a visit to Dingwall.

All are winnable games and Critchley will be targeting at least nine points.