What is Hearts' record at McDiarmid Park over the last ten years and why is it so poor?

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At McDiarmid Park?

We are exactly ten years and one day since Hearts last emerged victorious from an away match at St Johnstone.

Valentine’s Day, 2012. Paulo Sergio’s side equalised with a disputed late penalty in the Scottish Cup replay before winning it in extra-time.

Since that vital victory on the way to the 2012 Scottish Cup final, Hearts’ record at McDiarmid Park reads: played 14, won 0, drawn 7, lost 7, goals scored 14, goals conceded 21. All seven defeats have been by a single goal; five of them finishing 1-0 to the hosts.

A lot of the results can be explained simply: Hearts weren’t any good at the time.

Several senior players, and Sergio himself, departed after the 2012 final. With little income to spend on replacements – the club would go into administration a year later – a number of young players were promoted to the first team before they were ready. The presence of Dundee in the top flight meant they were never in danger of relegation, though they did struggle at the foot of the table before eventually finishing tenth. St Johnstone, meanwhile, landed in third. Getting a 2-2 draw in December of that year, therefore, can be looked upon as a decent result.

The following campaign was even worse. Administration depleted the squad further and they were eventually relegated. After defeat to St Johnstone on the opening day, Hearts were able to come back from 3-1 down to earn a draw in January.

The best Hearts team since 2012, or at least the most consistent, was in season 2015/16 after winning promotion back to the top flight. They only played once in Perth in four league games, drawing 0-0 after Juanma was sent off 28 minutes in.

It’s the following campaign