Friday September 4th 2026
Hibs v Hearts last night at Easter Road
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Ewan Hornell
Hearts ran out deserved 3-1 winners in the first Edinburgh Derby of the season. Goals from James Wilson and Laurent Mendy sent Hearts into half time 2-0 up and cruising. A second half Hibs comeback looked plausible after a stunning strike from Adam Mayor. But, a red card for Jack Iredale meant hopes of a Hibs equaliser were fleeting. Josh McPake topped off the evening for the Jambos with a wonderful solo goal to seal the win.
The first Edinburgh Derby of the season presented both sides with the chance of claiming early intercity bragging rights.
Both have had reason to be optimistic from their starts to the season. After a shaky start against some tough European opposition Hearts have found their footing and even with a heartbreaking European exit last week Hibs have already ticked a victory at Ibrox off this campaign.
The pre-match air was thick with nervous excitement and the on pitch opening exchanges mirrored that feeling. Tense first touches were met with opposition shirts steaming ahead for collisions.
Hearts were first to show signs of attacking life.
James Wilson was given the chance to demonstrate his blistering pace and turn the Hibs backline as he was sent chasing after a through ball down the right hand side. The young striker turned back and sent in a dangerous cross which found Claudio Braga on the penalty spot, unopposed. However, the Portuguese talisman could not direct his header downwards as it sailed over the bar.
Wilson’s run to find space down the right was an early indication of Hearts gameplan – exploit Hibs using width.
Hibs’ fluctuation between a back three and four has left their defensive shape at times, disjointed. Struggling to find strike balance which doesn’t leave their defensive distances to narrow or wide.
After an early threat it did not take long for Hearts to execute their gameplan and go ahead.
Josh McPake isolated Felix Passlack down the left hand side and effortlessly brushed by the German, making his way to the byline. He found Wilson lurking in the box who opened his foot and directed the ball past Raphael Sallinger to put Hearts in front.
Since returning to Tynecastle following a short loan spell with Tottenham in the second half of last season, Wilson seems a much more mature figure. His physical development has caught headlines but the progression in his on ball acumen is equally as striking.
Hearts continued to look the more assured of the two sides for much of the first half, dictating play as they came close once more with another Claudio Braga header. This time denied by an acrobatic dive from Raphael Sallinger in the Hibs goal.
It took Hibs until the 41st minute to carve out their first significant chance of the contest.
Josh Mulligan drove at the centre of the Hearts backline and slipped through Nathan Lowe on goal. On his weak foot, Lowe forced a smart save out of Beau Reus. Hibs retained. possession and the ball set up invitingly for Jacob Devaney to strike it – and strike it he did.
The ball rocketed off the youngsters foot, clipping the bar and sparking some life into the Easter Road crowd. However, just before half time Hearts struck a damning blow to Hibs’ short lived rejuvenation.
Blair Spittal won a free kick off Jacob Devaney, the youngster overly eager in his challenge to win the ball in the air.
Spittal, took the free kick and weighted it perfectly that all ball required was a leaping glance from Laurent Mendy to send Hearts into half time 2-0 up.
Hibs came out for the second with a point to prove, pressing Hearts high and displaying the vigour their first half performance lacked.
It was their pressing of the Hearts backline that presented them with their goal and chance at a way back into the game. They pickpocketed Hearts on the outskirts of their own box and played it to substitute, Adam Mayor flying down the left.
Mayor struck the ball at goal with so much venom that Reus stood no chance as Hibs clawed one goal back.
Hibs’ relentless pressure persisted.
Martin Boyle was played through one on one with the Hearts goal but an awkward angle, hindered his chances at getting a clear strike on goal. And goalscorer Mayor squandered glorious chance, blasting his effort over the bar after Nathan Lowe had found him in space.
With Hibs in the ascendency, they were the architects of their own downfall as Jack Iredale was sent off after a second yellow card for a high foot on Calvin Miller.
His dismissal made all the more frustrating after his first yellow came from what seemed to be a needless first half scuffle.
Hearts made their extra man count and once more exploited Hibs out wide. Josh McPake danced his way past three Hibs bodies, weaving into the box and slotting the ball home for a marvellous individual goal and 3-1 Hearts.
With new Scotland manager, Sebastien Pocognoli in attendance, Hearts attacking trio of James Wilson, Josh McPake and Calvin Miller are sure to have peaked his interest ahead of the Nations League fixtures at the end of September.
Wouter Vrancken expressed his delight with his teams attitude post-match;
“It’s not easy for players with the weight of this game”, he said.
“You have to be there, man up, with focus and concentration and at the same time you have to be above the emotions of the game.
“I think at a lot of moments, it felt like a home game. The fans were really loud. I think it’s really good to see the synergy between what’s going on, on the pitch and off it. We have to fight every game, all together, in the stands and on the pitch and it’s nice to see we can get a result like that.”
David Gray was frustrated with his sides first half frailty and lack of discipline which halted his sides prospects at a comeback;
“I think our first half performance wasn’t were it needed to be’ he stated.
“I don’t think we won enough second balls, didn’t compete enough in certain areas and lost really poor, avoidable goals.
“I thought we started the second half well, got on the front foot, scored the goal and at that point all the momentum was with us.
“And then I can’t defend or understand the multitude of errors that come for a self-inflicted red card.”
Hearts now carry a seven match unbeaten streak into the weekend and their game with Dundee. For Hibs a win away to St Johnstone will go some ways towards settling some fan frustration about the manner of last nights defeat.
Tweet Share on Facebook
