Wednesday February 11th 2026
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Adam Bowen
The Edinburgh Derby was back, on a rainy Tuesday night under the lights, what’s not to like! Hibs were going to Tynecastle determined to halt the Hearts title charge.
Hearts brought in Frankie Kent and Chesnokov into the starting eleven with Steinwender dropped to the bench as captain Halkett handed over the armband to Kent whilst he served his suspension following his red card against St Mirren last week. Mato was also named in the matchday squad with Kabangu dropping out.
The green side of town had Nicky Cadden and Kai Andrews coming into the team replacing injured Obita as well as Youan dropping to the bench. McGrath and O’Hora also came back into the squad with Newell not included.
The pre-match atmosphere was electric and that did not go unnoticed by the players with big challenges going in from the start.
The first real chance came within the first 5 minutes with a smartly placed ball through by Braga to Kaboré who charged on, cutting in but ultimately pulling the shot wide of the near post.
Then, minutes later Passlack was through 2v1, with Boyle in support, however his pass was poor leading to Boyle scrambling to lay Cadden off whose shot was wayward.
The first yellow card of the game came for Chaiwa after pulling Braga down stopping a dangerous counter-attack.
After originally looking shaky Hearts were coming into the game by the half an hour mark, pressing high and winning the ball in dangerous areas.
As the minutes ticked Scarlett had a couple of headed opportunities but nothing that seriously challenged Schwolow.
A few good passages of play, one being a great half volley ball in behind by Cadden matched by a brilliant Boyle run through on goal however Baningime did an incredible job to cover the ground and ultimately win a free kick for his side, which was met by a loud Gorgie cheer.
Scarlett then picked up the second yellow card of the game for an elbow to Kent’s face.
Not long after, one of Gray’s signings, Garan’anga, attempted a scissor kick clearance which ended up at a Hearts’ player’s feet, who played the ball quickly with a bit of pinball in the box before it slid out to Chesnokov who ran onto it but was only able to knock it over the bar before colliding with Sallinger.
Just before half time Chaiwa worked it well on the edge of the box playing it to Boyle who steadied himself before firing it at the Hearts keeper. Half time: Hearts 0-0 Hibs.
Hearts walked back onto the pitch looking a lot more assertive and composed, pressing Hibs high up the pitch, forcing errors.
The Hearts’ high press was nearly countered brilliantly in the 49th minute as Boyle charged forward linking up with multiple Hibs players before Chaiwa lost control of the ball in the opposing box.
A well worked corner through Milne and Kryzides led to space opening for Milne to have a pop at goal, however it was saved by Sallinger as he appeared to juggle the ball frantically before gaining full control.
The atmosphere was loud the whole game with the Hibs fans voicing their support as well, but as Hearts were beginning to gain more possession in the final third than they did in the first half, the fans were roaring as they won more corners and throw ins in dangerous areas.
The game was becoming a little more end to end as both teams had great counter-attacking opportunities however they were both not utilised.
Substitute Suto came on for Scarlett and Passlack made way for McGrath in the 60th minute. Hibs fans were singing their new signing’s name as soon as he came on following his debut winner late on last week.
Hearts had a good passage of play as the ball was played up from the keeper to Braga who found Kyziridis before laying off Leonard who let fly however it was blocked by a green shirt.
Around the 65th minute Suto slid in late on Findlay with Hearts fans screaming for a card as his studs did look like they were up; the referee Nick Walsh deemed there was not enough contact to warrant a card as only a free kick was awarded.
Hibs did have a couple of good moments with the closest one coming in the 69th minute when Cadden worked his magic driving into the box towards the byline before cutting it back to Boyle who poked it over the bar.
For the next 10 minutes the Hearts attack was looking promising however they failed to pull the trigger numerous times especially Kaboré leading to grunts around the stand.
In the 79th minute Garan’anga challenged for the ball flying into the back of Kaboré’s head although it was the Hibs man that came out worse; gaining a yellow card and an injury where the stretcher was called before the new signing got back to his feet and hobbled the few yards off the pitch with O’Hora replacing him.
After the 85 minute mark the game was becoming scrappy with big challenges flying in. Suto was a prime perpetrator of these challenges, and it was his foul which Hearts utilised.
Playing the free kick short to Harry Milne on the wing, who superbly created space for himself to drill a low ball into the box which the substitute Magnússon managed to get on the end of, opening his body up and guiding the ball just inside the near post sending Tynecastle Park into bedlam with 2 minutes of the 90 to play.
With 4 minutes added on the clock and Tynecastle in full voice the Hibs fans tried to rally their team but any attempted attack was dealt with calmly by Hearts.
The full-time whistle blew, and a huge roar rung around the ground as Hearts managed to win late on in the derby at Tynecastle just as they did earlier in the season.
Still top of the league the Hearts fans stayed behind belting out their chants showing their appreciation to the players for finding a way to win the bragging rights once again.
Hearts boss Derek McInnes reflecting on the game said that the ‘set plays were rotten’ and ‘crossing was poor’. Although he seemed overall happy that his team found a way to win, and referred to the fact that previous champions, Celtic and Rangers, have ‘just got the job done’ which is what he felt Hearts had done.
David Gray reflected on the goal, saying that it is ‘hugely frustrating’ as he thought that the goal could have been ‘avoidable’ from a Hibs perspective.
Hearts now look forward to a huge top of the table clash away to Rangers on the weekend, with Hibs looking to bounce back against the team that defeated Hearts late on last week, St Mirren.
Full time- Heart of Midlothian 1-0 Hibernian
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