DANNY SWANSON is worth his weight in gold for St Johnstone. Praise that, according to a few mouthy locals at Tynecastle on Saturday, is quite the compliment.

The 29-year-old endured an eminently forgettable six-month stint in Gorgie last season, starting just five matches and making scant impact under Robbie Neilson before his release in February.

Watching his display at the weekend, the Hearts faithful could be forgiven for wondering what might have been.

Swanson was at pains to point out he had nothing to prove upon his return, while he has previously insisted he enjoyed a perfectly civil relationship with Hearts supporters.

Nevertheless, he was on the end of some sustained barbs in the first period, most notably with a portion of the support persistently suggesting he was carrying a few extra pounds.

So, when he rattled home the goal to make it 1-1, he could not resist a good-natured celebration of grabbing his belly as he jogged in front of the seething Jambos.

“I was getting a few pelters from the crowd about my weight for some reason so I thought I’d give them a wee bit back,” he smiled. “It’s all good though, it’s the pantomime. It wasn’t about Hearts on Saturday. I came here as a St Johnstone player; I don’t worry about Hearts. They have some right good players here and I’m sure they don’t miss me.

“I’m delighted things have worked out for the best. I enjoyed it at Hearts but it just wasn’t to be. That’s me on 10 goals for the season and I’m absolutely delighted with that. That was a target for me at the start of the campaign so I might have to bump that up to 20 now!

“It’s my highest total for any season – and it’s just confidence. It’s such a massive thing in football and I’ve got that here. The gaffer [Tommy Wright] just lets me get on with what I want and enjoy myself. Football is a different game when you are confident and not scared to try things. That’s where I am at the moment.”

Swanson’s goal was taken with consummate class, latching on to a super pass by Steven MacLean, shimmying in the box and dispatching a clinical finish beyond Jack Hamilton.

It cancelled out a contentious opener by Prince Buaben, when the Ghanaian midfielder was adjudged to have nodded the ball over the line after a Don Cowie strike had hit the under-side of the bar – despite Brian Easton claiming he had cleared the effort.

The visitors emerged with impetus and imagination in the second half and, in David Wotherspoon, they had a real goal threat.

The former Hibernian midfielder forced a splendid low save from Hamilton and was extraordinarily unlucky to see a wonderful free-kick from 25 yards hit the inside of the post. Joe Shaughnessy did tap in the rebound but was called offside.

The Perth side claimed a lavishly deserved lead with 85 minutes on the clock, with substitute Chris Kane seeing his hopeful shot from the edge of the box trundle beyond Hamilton, who was adamant he was unsighted by an offside MacLean.

“He [MacLean] was right in front of me, he stepped back and the ball has just rolled in,” said Hamilton. “He looked to be in an offside position to me. I’ve not been able to react until he moved out of the way. I would say that’s interfering with play.”

Thankfully for Hearts, it did not prove to be the match-winner as, less than two minutes later, Callum Paterson rose highest to meet an in-swinging corner and head home his sixth goal of the season.

“To get that goal so quickly just shows the character we have,” added the young goalkeeper, who will room with Paterson on Scotland duty this week ahead of the World Cup qualifier against England.

“Things haven’t quite gone to plan lately, but we are always up for the fight – and no-one stops Callum when he goes up for that. Everyone can see what a threat he is in the air. Hopefully he gets another one of those at Wembley.”