Robbie Neilson delighted depleted Hearts overcome injures to beat Dundee United

Robbie Neilson was delighted with the way his depleted Hearts squad overcame a host of injuries to maintain their momentum with an impressive 3-2 win at Dundee United.

The Tynecastle side were missing key quintet Michael Smith, John Souttar, Stephen Kingsley, Craig Halkett and Andy Halliday, while Cammy Devlin and Ellis Simms were named among the subs despite not being fully fit.

In addition, Aaron McEneff was forced off after just 15 minutes of a match in which third-placed Hearts made it nine games in a row unbeaten and moved 19 points clear of fourth-placed United.

“We have come to the team sitting fourth in the league and won even though we have seven or eight injuries,” said Neilson. “Ben Woodburn was the only one of the subs who was properly fit.

“Ellis Simms has been carrying a knock so we knew we’d only get 20 minutes or so out of him.

“Cammy Devlin isn’t ready to play but we put him on the bench anyway and we also had a couple of young kids.

“So we are down to the bare bones but the bones are strong. The players are doing well, the guys who are coming in have been outstanding.

“We made four changes today and then Aaron McEneff goes off injured early on. But the quality of player who is coming in is very good.

“Josh Ginnelly came in today and I was delighted with him, then Ben Woodburn comes on in a position he’s not used to.

“Taylor Moore has not played much but came in and looked comfortable. It’s important to have that. We are in a decent place right now.”

Neilson was pleased with the way his side reacted to losing a fourth-minute opener.

“I thought we started poorly and were too passive,” said the Hearts manager.

“United put us under pressure with the goal and could have had another one.

“It took them scoring