Hearts Stay Six Points Clear as Halkett Beats Livingston – 5 Key Takeaways

New Year, six points clear. Just the tonic for Hearts’ derby day hangover.

Fair to say 2026 couldn’t have started in better fashion for the Jambos as they took full advantage of Celtic’s latest implosion. Craig Halkett’s first half header did the damage for Hearts who were hanging on at times after the break. But with new signing Jordi Altena impressing in a debut that included an assist after just 18 minutes it turned out an almost perfect day in Gorgie to make up for their shocker across the city a week earlier.

Derek McInnes’ side started sluggishly. But after an early Livi flurry the home side took control. Tomas Magnusson slid Lawrence Shankland’s cut back just wide at the back post after 10 minutes before Claudio Braga and Alexandros Kyziridis had shots charged down in a manic scramble that also saw the Portuguese star’s effort also cracking the post.

But Hearts deservedly streaked ahead on 18 minutes through the trusted head of Halkett. Altena’s delivery from the right was meat and drink for the big defender to rise unchallenged and loop a header over Jerome Prior and into the far corner. Livi were on the ropes and Prior did brilliantly to prevent a Ryan McGowan own goal before Braga shot over after being released by Shankland.

Prior produced more heroics to deny Harry Milne’s header just before the break and by half time the stats showed the Jambos had 15 attempts on goal to Livi’s three.

Hearts needed a second to ease any nerves. Mo Sylla’s header that slipped wide reminded them of that. As did Alexander Schwolow’s superb low stop to deny Tete Yengi on 65 minutes. Yengi should have netted in the 94th minute when he got his head to a corner but could only direct it straight as Schwolow as Hearts clung on to go six clear. Here's 5 talking points from Tynecastle.

Hearts shall not be moved

The result at Parkhead earlier in the day opened up the chance for Hearts to stretch their lead at the top - and they were in no mood to pass it up. There were nervy moments in the second half. But in the end the home fans belted out ‘We Shall Not be Moved’ and this was the perfect way to rid themselves of any lingering derby blues.

The only fault was that McInnes’ side weren’t out of sight by half time having peppered Prior’s goal with 15 attempts. They were on the ropes for a spell after the break as nerves kicked in and Livi came out their shell. But the backline held firm and, with 18 games to go, McInnes’ men are in a great position.

Dutch of class

McInnes threw new signing Jordi Altena straight in for a debut just days after he arrived in Edinburgh and the right back looked the part. The 22-year-old former RKC Waalwijk man took just 18 minutes to announce his arrival for real when he swung in perfect cross for Halkett’s opener. Altena’s attacking antenna was evident throughout and he brilliantly skipped past Cristian Montano to tee up Magnusson whose shot was blocked.

It’s been the one area where the Jambos have faced questions this season with Oisen McEntee injured with a groin issue and Christian Borchgrevink out the picture it opened the door to the latest Jamestown recruit who can be happy with his debut.

Livi languish

Livingston haven’t won at Tynecastle in 21 games stretching way back to May 2002. But they’ll feel they could have taken a point here. David Martindale’s side started brightly but their early flurry fizzled out as Hearts took control of the midfield. After the break it was a different story as the Lions bared their teeth and took over the engine room for large spells with Manchester City loanee Mahamadou Susoho showing his class on the ball.

Ultimately a lack of quality in the final third cost them. At the other end Martindale recalled Brooklyn Kabongolo from Arbroath and handed the former big French defender a debut. He looked solid beside Ryan McGowan. But it’s now 18 games without a win in the Premiership and time is running out.

Hail Halks

Craig Halkett celebrated signing his new contract at Hearts with a trademark header to open the scoring - his SIXTH goal of the campaign from the centre of defence. The former Livi man has been a rock at the back beside Stuart Findlay and his positional sense as well as aerial dominance has been huge. But his threat in the opposition box can’t be ignored and he has become a key man for McInnes.

His form won’t have been missed by Steve Clarke with just five months to go before the World Cup.

Prior plus

David Martindale wasn’t happy with Jerome Prior’s decision to punch a corner clear rather than catch in the immediate lead-up to Hearts’ goal. But the French goalkeeper almost single handedly kept his side in it for the remainder of the half with a string of stunning saves, most notably low to his right to stop Ryan McGowan heading into his own net then left to push out Harry Milne’s effort.

Prior was a stand out for the Lions as they won promotion last season. They’ll need more of this if they are to survive the drop.