\n<\/p>\n
Letting Celtic draw level on points could have been particularly fatal for Hearts considering the reigning champions have three of their remaining five games at home, including a potential final-day title showdown against Hearts, while both their title rivals have two.<\/p>\n
There was plenty of tension at Tynecastle as a result, but McInnes hailed his side as they “had to dig deep” for victory.<\/p>\n
It is not for the first time. <\/p>\n
Hearts have won 13 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season – only Dundee United, with 16, have recovered more.<\/p>\n
Amazingly, though, this was their first win in the seven games in which they have conceded the opening goal since 30 August against Livingston – and they will surely take confidence from that.<\/p>\n
Emmanuel Longelo had put Motherwell ahead in the 50th minute and the visitors squandered several good chances before and after Claudio Braga levelled.<\/p>\n
“There’s no two ways about it – we were under the cosh,” McInnes admitted. “But I still felt quite calm in the sense I thought we would score. We very rarely don’t score, particularly here at Tynecastle.”<\/p>\n
Indeed, Hearts have found the net in 29 of their 33 games – more often than any other team in the Premiership this season, and one more than Celtic.<\/p>\n
“The reaction of the players is magnificent,” McInnes said. “It’s exactly what you want. Nobody’s settling for a draw.<\/p>\n
“It says so much about them that they found something just to drag themselves off the canvas again and get the win.”<\/p>\n
A Lawrence Shankland penalty three minutes from time and a stoppage-time strike from substitute Pierre Landry Kabore secured a first win over Motherwell this season after two draws.<\/p>\n
McInnes would “not get carried away” with going into the split still leading the table, but captain Shankland enthused: “It’s five cup finals, really, isn’t it? <\/p>\n
“It’ll make for a brilliant end to the season for Scottish football.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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