31st October 2018 Hearts v Hibs 0-0

Looking forward to this game after the disappointment of Sunday. It's Harper's birthday today and Craig and Claire are taking him and Harmoni to the game as a birthday treat. They are having a meal in Cosmo beforehand and we met with them for the meal. Craig was going out in his taxi after the game so I got a lift to Tynecastle. Craig and family were in the Wheatfield stand and I was in main stand so we were not sitting together. Hearts were missing Steven Naismith, out for up to eight weeks with a knee injury and Steven MacLean, who has accepted a two match ban for violent conduct in the Celtic game in an incident now down as 'Bawsgate'. Callum Morrison came in up front while Sean Clare made his first start in midfield. When the teams lined-up Peter Haring was playing at centre-forward. I think Hearts were looking to use his arial strength for others to run on to his flicks on. 

Hearts started well and a shot from Olly Lee was pushed away for a corner by Bogdan in the Hibs goal. However Hibs came back into game and a shot from thirty yards by Steve Mallan hit the Hearts cross bar and flow over. Shortly after Mallan tried to catch out Bobby Zlamal with a free-kick from the left which he tried to fire in at the near post rather than crossing. Zlamal however got across too scramble the ball behind for a corner. Michael Smith tried a shot from thirty yards but was unable hit the target as the half drew to a close.

There had already been four bookings when Oliver Bozanic was flatten in an arial challenge. A number of players became involved in a melee and Ben Garuccio and Flo Kamberi were booked. it was costly for Kamberi as he had previously been booked in the first half and therefore received a red card. Bozanic could not continue and was replaced by Craig Wighton. Wighton had an early chance from a cross by Morrison but just failed to reach the ball in the six yard box. In all honestly there was not a lot of football being played and in the Hearts side Clare, who has been injured, looked short of match practice. Zlamal was then flattened by a punch from a Hibs fan as he went to collect the ball from behind his goal. although thankfully he recovered.  

Clevid Dikomona struck the post when a corner fell at his feet. Then moving into injury time Bogdan flapped at a cross from Demitri Mitchell which Dikamona headed into the net. The goal was ruled out for offside. Looking at a video replay Haring was in an offside position but I would question that he was involved in that phase of play given the Hibs keeper fumbled the balll under no pressure from Hearts players. Hibs manager Neil Lennon celebrated in front of the Hearts fans in the main stand. Lennon was then floored by a coin thrown from the stand although I think he made the most of the incident in a bid to waste time. To be honest it was a poor game and tomorrows papers will now focus on the violent incidents rather than the football. Still a point with a weakened side is a good result for Hearts. Hearts star players were central defenders Jimmy Dunne and Dikamona who were immense throughout the game.

Walked home and took dog out for his last walk of the day.

Teams

Hearts: Zlamal, Smith, Dunne, Haring, Bozanic, Lee, Clare, Djoum, Garuccio, Dikamona, Morrison. 

Subs: Wighton, Mitchell, Amankwaa

Hibs: Bogdan, Whittaker, Milligan, Bartley, Slivka, Boyle, Mallan, Stevenson, Kamberi, McGregor, Ambrose. 

Subs: Shaw, Hyndman.