Can Hearts Rekindle Early-Season Swagger After a Slow Run

Derek McInnes' Hearts sit atop the Premiership but have stalled recently, drawing games and struggling to score. This piece explains what's changed and what's ahead as they chase a return to their best.

Hearts began the season with a blistering run that put them atop the Scottish Premiership and sparked talk of a title challenge. In recent weeks, that momentum has cooled, leaving fans and staff looking for the previous attacking spark.

Top-of-the-table Hearts have collected six points from the last fifteen, and a draw at Motherwell marked their third stalemate in five games. The early surge, which included wins over Rangers and Celtic, now feels like a distant memory.

Head coach Derek McInnes has acknowledged the heightened expectations and said the team is eager to recapture the attacking rhythm that carried them at the start of the campaign.

Current form and attacking balance

Recent displays showed a dip in attacking quality. In the trip to Motherwell, Hearts produced an expected goals (xG) figure of 0.33 and managed only nine shots, with just one on target.

The side did create chances on occasion, but the clinical edge that defined the opening stretch has not been consistently present.

Midfield disruption and injuries

Midfielder Beni Baningime has missed the last three fixtures, and teammate Ageu has also been sidelined. McInnes said the absence has affected midfield control and the squad is trying different options to restore balance.

He added that restoring swagger will require a higher tempo and steadier ball progression through the middle.

What lies ahead

Next up is a home game against Kilmarnock, followed by a challenging trip to Celtic. A positive result against Kilmarnock would provide a timely boost as Hearts attempt to re-establish their form ahead of tougher fixtures.

Fan voices

Stuart: Hearts’ approach seems exposed; a reset and mix of tactics could help.

Steve: It’s been hard to watch at times, with some players struggling and a rethink of selections likely needed.

Chris: There are concerns about selection and cohesion; players appear out of position and the balance is off.

Jim: It was a hard-fought point given the venue, and I still expect a top-three finish.

Jonathan: The attacking edge is lacking; Baningime’s absence is felt, but the squad can spark a run with the right plan.

Expert comment

Expert: Losing Baningime has unsettled midfield control, and restoring the early-season rhythm will require tweaks and renewed confidence in attack. With the right adjustments, Hearts could rekindle their swagger soon.

Summary

Hearts remain at the summit, but recent form shows they must reclaim their attacking tempo. The return of key players and a string of positive results could reestablish the form that defined the opening weeks. The coming fixtures will reveal whether their title challenge can endure.