Monday September 7th 2026
Jason Kerr signed for Hibs in June of this year
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Ewan Hornell
A lifelong Hibs fan, Jason Kerr would have grown up dreaming of the day he could pull on a Hibs shirt, in a Edinburgh Derby in a win at Easter Road. However, the reality of his Edinburgh Derby debut was more of a nightmare as Hearts swept Hibs aside to run out 3-1 winners.
A first half littered with individual errors had Hibs entering half time 2-0 down and with a daunting task ahead to try and mount a comeback. Yet, halftime changes brought an energy shift. A quick goal from substitute, Adam Mayor, left Hibs only one goal behind and in the ascendency, looking the more likely of the two to find the next goal and draw level.
But, just as quickly as they’d found some control it all come crashing down with the sending off of Jack Iredale.
Kerr, while acknowledging the numerical disadvantage didn’t help, felt that Hibs’ sluggish first half start was equally as significant in his sides demise.
“It’s not ideal, but a lot of damage was done before we went down to ten men. The goals we concede in the first half are not good enough, not marking men in the box and we gave ourselves a mountain to climb.
“You can’t start a game 2-0 down and expect to make it back in the second half.
“I think in the first half we shot ourselves in the foot. He has gotten sent off, but even for the third goal, I know we have ten men, but we should defend it a lot better, myself included, he breezed past me, so I can’t put it on Jack at all.”
Prior to the Iredale sending off, Hibs in the second half looked an entirely different team from the first. Full of aggression and energy, encapsulated by the high press that led to Mayor’s goal. Kerr reflected on the message David Gray had given at half time to spark a brief comeback.
“He told us that they’d been better to man, all over. That we can hide or dig in. And I thought in the second half we did that but a few mistakes led to them getting their third goal.”
With the Hearts away support growing in voice after the third goal and as ‘Ole’ chants began to ring out for every successful pass, the Hibs home support began to empty the stadium prior to the final whistle. Being a Hibs supporter himself Kerr understood fan frustration and reasoning for an early exit.
“We’ve let the fans down. They had every right to leave. Its not what you want to see, especially against Hearts.”
Hibs travel to Perth on Sunday to face Kerr’s old team, St Johnstone. The sale of Warren O’Hora to Leicester, Jordan Obita limping off on Thursday night and the impeding suspension of Jack Iredale may mean Kerr is be paired alongside new defensive signing, Marko Ivezic for the match. What is clear is that nothing more than three points will do for the Hibees as they look to regain some momentum after a tough few weeks domestically and in Europe.
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