24th October 2017 Hibs v Hearts 1-0

The first top league Edinburgh Derby for a number of years today at Easter Road. £28 a ticket for Hearts fans but it should be a good night. I love derby matches with some of my best footballing memories being games against Hibs. The first game I was taken to was an Edinburgh Derby at Easter Road. Unfortunately Hibs won 3-1 with Don Kerrigan being the first player I saw scoring for Hearts. Games that spring to mind as I write are first time I saw Hearts win at Easter Road, 3-1 in 1968, the 4-1 victory at Tynecastle in 1974, John Robertson's first game against Hibs when we won 3-2 on our return to the Premier League and best of all the 5-1 Scottish Cup Final victory on 19th May 2012. Recent memories have not been so good with Hibs knocking Hearts out of the Scottish Cup in the last two seasons.

I walked down to the far end of Princes Street and then caught a bus to Leith Walk. A walk along Montgomery Street, the site allegedly of Gordon Strachan's favourite chippy, and I was in Easter Road. I managed to get a programme and then headed towards the stand. On the way I met Pete and we had a chat about how Hearts were going to line up. Prince Bauben, David Milinkovic and Isma had been dropped from Saturdays starting eleven with Bauben out the the side completely, the other two being on the substitutes bench. They were replaced by Connor Randall, Rafal Grzelak and 17 year-old Euan Henderson, as Hearts lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. I then headed for my seat in the stand which was in the back row of the upper tier. The picture below shows the view from my seat.

As for the game itself it started badly and got worse. After three minutes Hibs broke down their left side and Simon Murray broke into the box, nutmegged John Souttar and fired the ball high into the net past Jon McLaughlin from fifteen yards. This set the pattern for the rest of the game as Hearts could not cope with the Hibs wingers, Barker and Boyle. Every time the ball went out to the wingers the Hearts defence was in chaos. Both Michael Smith and Jamie Brandon ended up being booked long with Randall who moved to fullback after Jamie was substituted. Thankfully Hibs final balls were not the best and good defending from John Souttar and Christophe Berra kept them out. Hibs best chance in the remainder of the first half was when Boyle raced through and was stopped by a brave dive at his feet by  McLaughlin. The ball bounced to Steven Whittaker at the edge of the penalty box but he blazed the ball over the open goal into the Hearts fans area. Hearts tried but there was a distinct lack of inspiration in their play with only two half-chances in the first half. Jamie Walker hit a twenty yard shot which was easily saved by the Hibs keeper and then Kyle Lafferty hit a long range lob onto the top of the net.

At halftime Harry Cochrane replaced Grzelak in midfield. I am not sure why Grzelak was in midfield to start with as he did nothing. At least Cochrane can pass a ball and he also showed he can tackle after he was booked for sending John McGinn almost into the West Stand to join the Hibs fans. Last season Kristian Nowak played as a defensive midfielder and I am sure that he would have done better than Grzelak. The second half was a repeat of the first as Hearts just did not look like scoring a goal. From a corner Berra headed towards goal but Marciano in the Hibs goal saved easily. The only other Hearts chance came when sub Cole Stockton had a shot blocked. The ball bounced to fellow sub Isma outside the far post but his shot was also blocked. The whole Hearts performance seemed to lack a bit of inspiration. With Walker not having one of his better games there was a distinct lack of flair in the side. Hearts tactics appeared to be to lump it up field for Kyle Lafferty who had no-one in support when he when he won the ball. It was a bit like the Bobby Williamson years at Hibs when he said " if you want entertainment go to the cinema". Despite the threat from Hibs Hearts defended well although in injury time McLaughlin made a fine save to keep out a John McGinn shot.

After the final whistle there was the usual chaos as the police closed the Albion Road forcing Hearts fans to cross the rail bridge in Bothwell Street. After that I walked to Leith Walk and caught an 11 bus home. It was full by the time we got to the Usher Hall but I got off just before Tollcross and walked along Fountainbridge. Arrived home at 10.30 to find Natalie had locked the door and put the chain on. When I finally got in I took Rufus out for his final walk of the day before settling down to a bacon roll and a glass of red wine.

Teams

Hibs: Marciano, Whittaker, Hanlon, Bartley, McGinn, McGeouch, S. Murray, Stevenson, Boyle, Barker, Ambrose.

Subs: Matulevicius, 

Hearts: McLaughlin, M. Smith, Berra, Souttar, Brandon, Randall, Grzelak, Walker, Callachan, Henderson, Lafferty. 

Subs: Cochrane, Isma, Stockton