Aaron McEneff: Hearts manager Robbie Neilson explains why he has been holding Irish midfielder back

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson reflected on his well-rewarded decision to send on second-half substitute Aaron McEneff and said he had held him back for that purpose.

The Irishman weighed in with a pivotal goal less than 30 seconds after he replaced Ben Woodburn in the 67th minute, edging his team back in front of St Mirren and helping book a Hampden semi-final and he vindicated his manager’s belief in him.

“Credit to Aaron because he’s not had the opportunities he’s probably deserved,” said Neilson.

“But he trains well every day and it’s a credit to him that when he does get a chance like tonight, he comes and changes the game for us.

“I’m delighted for him because he’s a great kid. He hasn’t had the opportunity his training has merited.

“We didn’t have many options today. I was going to start McEneff but it would only have given us [Peter] Haring, [Toby] Sibbick and [Taylor] Moore on the bench.

“We wouldn’t have had anyone to go and try and win the game so we started Haring, which allowed us to get McEneff on.”

Having thrown away a two-goal lead, thanks to a stunning second goal from St Mirren’s Connor Ronan, McEneff’s contribution re-established Hearts’ superiority.

“It was a good reaction from us at 2-2,” said Neilson, admitting he had sensed little danger as Ronan lined up his shot. “It was an unbelievable strike from Ronan.

“I was standing behind it and was initially delighted that he hit it from that angle. But I ended up clapping it because it was a sensational goal.

“It took that to get them equal to us. But we then made the change and we dominated after that.

“I felt we created more clear cut chances. [Craig] Halkett hit the bar and in the second half we had them hemmed in with a number of shots.”

They achieved