Heartbreakers: Sun shines over Leith as Hibs win
By Robbie Wilson
Another classic Edinburgh derby over the weekend resulted in Hibernian FC getting the better of Hearts in a 2-1 victory coming from a spectacular strike from Australian defender Jack Iredale.
Both teams came flying out the gates with Martin Boyle scoring for Hibs in the sixth minute, claiming his seventh goal in 25 games in the Premiership. This was followed up by English midfielder Jorge Grant equalising for Hearts only a few minutes later. The game remained an even contest the entire match with both sides sharing similar possession and shots on target statistics. Then on the 74th minute, Iredale took it upon himself to hit a half-volley from outside the box and put his team 2-1 up. Hibs were able to hold on until the end and achieve a massive win to close what has been a flawless week for the Edinburgh club.
Hibs Manager David Gray, told Sky Sports: “When you think back to the week we have had, three really tough games, to beat Celtic here, to go up to Dundee and win and then to finish that off by beating your local rivals at home, I am delighted.”
This victory for Hibs places them in third place in the Scottish Premiership, boosting their chances of European football, while Hearts’ defeat places them firmly in seventh in the table. This defeat halted the momentum of Neil Critchley’s men, who had arrived to Easter Road with a run of just one defeat in 11 matches since their last clash with their rivals at home which they lost. Easter Road serenaded the victorious Hibernian players with Sunshine on Leith.
Hearts boss Neil Critchley told Sky Sports: “It’s a derby defeat so it is not nice at all. The players have had enough praise in the last few months. We will get criticised and rightly so for the way we played in the second half. That was not us on the pitch.”
A Kevin Nisbet double gave Aberdeen a late comeback as the points were shared against Dundee United. The Dons now sit in fourth position with Dundee just below in fifth as they both aim to jump above Hibernian to reach possible European qualification.
Another win for Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic away from home means that get further away from second place and a step closer to another league title. Celtic put on a show in Paisley to beat St. Mirren 5-2 with two late goals from Daizen Maeda and Yang to seal the three points. The hoops sit 16 points above second place Rangers.
Struggles continue for Rangers as a home defeat to Motherwell puts them in an even more difficult position to catch Celtic in the league. Barry Ferguson’s first home game as manager did not go as planned when Motherwell went 2-0 inside 30’ minutes, a goal from Cyriel Dessers 10’ minutes into the second half had Ibrox hopeful that they could push on to get an equaliser, however it wasn’t to be as the game finished 2-1.
