THE 7-MINUTE WARNING

Spittal shines in Jambos' engine room after late call to go straight into the fray instead of bench seat

- FRASER WILSON AT TYNECASTLE

BLAIR SPITTAL had waited six weeks to get back into the Hearts starting lineup.

When the moment arrived on Saturday, he was given only SEVEN MINUTES notice.

But when it comes to title races, the Jambos playmaker knows there's absolutely no time to be wasted fretting.

Spittal, originally named among the subs, was given the call as he hit a few last practice shots with time ticking down to kickoff.

Eduardo Ageu had reported a problem with his thigh in the warm-up and, from eyeing his spot on the bench, Spittal was suddenly lining up in the heart of the Jambos' engine room.

It was only his second start since November. But the 30-year-old was a picture of professionalism as he turned in a typically brave performance on the ball and tireless one off it to help seal another massive three points.

The win, courtesy of Islam Chesnokov's first goal in maroon, keeps Hearts clear at the top with just 10 games to go.

Asked how close to kickoff he got the call to get stripped, Spittal revealed: "About seven minutes to three!

"I was still out warming up, I was just getting ready to hit a few shots and Paul Sheerin came up to me and told me to make sure I was ready.