12th September 2021. Hearts 0 Hibs 0

 

Well here we are the first Edinburgh Derby of the season. As usual I was a bundle of nerves as I got feady for the game. Had a couple of bacon rolls at 10.45 as an early lunch due to the 12.00 kickoff as the game was live on Sky. Left home at 11.10 and walked to Tynecastle arriving around 11.30. Season ticket gave me entry to the Main Stand and I was at my seat within minutes to watch the teams warming. Unlike the recent Glasgow Derby Hearts had given tickets to Hibs and they were filling the Roseburn Stand. With two sets of fans in the ground the atmosphere was brilliant as the stands filled up.

With Rangers having beaten St Johnstone yesterday the Edinburgh sides were one point behind the league leaders with Hibs second on goal difference. Hearts made one change to the side which defeated Du Dee Utd in their last game. Steven Kingsley came into the back three with Alex Cochrane moving to left wing-back replacing Andy Halliday who moved to the substitutes bench. New signings Cameron Devlin and Barrie McKay were also on the bench replacing Jamie Walker and Aaron McEneff. Hibs were missing striker Christian Doidge and he was replaced by james Scott, on loan from Hull City. Winger Martin Boyle was passed fit after being injured on international duty with Australia and was included in the starting line-up.

The game took some time to settle. Hearts had most of the early possession with the benefit of having an extra man in midfield. Both sides however did not test the opposition keeper until the fifteenth minute. Ben Woodburn took a short pass from gary Mackay-Steven (GMS) outside the penalty area before twisting past a defender. His shot from the edge of the penalty box flew just over the cross-bar. Hibs then had a chance when Craig Gordon left a cross ball from Joe Newell thinking it was going over the bar. The ball then dipped and clipped the top of the cross bar before going out of play. Liam Boyce andKinsgsley then both had headed attempts which failed to trouble Matt Macey in the Hibs goal. Boyle showed his pace around the thirty minute mark breaking free and trying a  shot from thirty yards. Hearts had a strong penalty claim when Paul McGinn appeared to reach out and pull down Boyce as the forward raced into the penalty area. Referee Nick Walsh however awarded Hibs a free-kick for an earlier infringement by Boyce.  Gordon dived to tip the ball around the post. Just before half-time Boyle broke again and outpaced Beni Baningime. He shot from the edge of the penalty box but Gordon again produced an excellent save to turn the ball away. 

The second half started much the same as the first until the hour mark although His bought on Alex Gogic for Scott to provide another man in midfield. Kevin Nisbet intercepted a loose pass from John Souttar and sent the ball forward to Kyle Magennis. His shot however was straight at Gordon in the Hearts goal. matey in the Hips goal then saved from GMS who had been sent clear in the penalty area with an excellent pass from Woodburn. Shortly after Macey dived to knock another GMS shot round the post. Hibs had their best chance of the game after an hour when Hearts gave away possession, allowing Kevin Nisbet to find Kyle Magennis inside the box but he shot straight at Gordon. Moments later, Macey denied the Jambos a breakthrough with a brace of saves, firstly pushing away Mackay-Steven’s effort from inside the box before turning another GMS shot around the post. Nisbet then cut the ball back from the byeline to Kyle Magennis who was just outside the six yard box. His shot towards the far post was tipped away by the diving Gordon. Hearts brought on new signing McKay for the last fifteen minutes. Despite a lack of game time recently he showed some nice touches and was willing to take on defenders with his pace and close control. He produced one fine cross for his fellow substitute Josh Ginnelly to bring a good save from Macey with a header. As the game moved towards injury time Hearts almost took the lead from an unlikely  source. Alex Cochrane sent in a cross from the left and Hibs captain Paul Hanlon made a complete mess of his attempt clearance. His mis-hit clearance flew back towards his own goal and Macey did well to turn the all over the bar. 

After the final whistle I walked home slightly disappointed with the result. Hearts played some good football and passed the ball around well. However playing with two wingers meant a lack of support for Boyce upfront as neither Baningime or Peter Haring are fine midfield players but are not renowned for their goal-scoring prowess. I would like to see Woodburn playing alongside Boyce to provide a greater goal threat. I suppose I can be thankful that it has taken thirty-three matches before I have seen a goal-less draw this season.

Teams

Hearts: Gordon. Smith, Kingsley, Souttar, Haring, Halkett, Woodburn, Baningime, Boyce, Cochrane, Mackay-Steven.

Subs: Ginnelly, Moore, McKay

Hibs: Macey, Cadden, Hanlon, Porteous, Doig, McGinn, Maginess, Nisbet, Scott, Newell, Boyle.

Subs: Gogic, Wright