2nd January 2023. Hearts 3 Hibs 0

 

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Well the first game for 2023. Edinburgh Derby at Tynecastle. Craig, Claire, Harper and Jayden were also going so they arrived at our flat around 12.15. We watched the first half of the Glasgow derby before they headed off to the Shandon bar after a couple of drinks with us. I walked down to Tynecastle and was in my seat around 14.20 to watch the sides warming up. I have not been feeling that great recently so have copied some detail from the Hearts match report into this blog.


Robbie Neilson made two changes to the side that defeated St Johnstone in Perth last time out. Barrie McKay and Michael Smith returned to the starting 11 in place of Jorge Grant and Alan Forrest.

Hearts managed to get themselves in front after just eight minutes and it was all down to the tenacity of Cammy Devlin. The Aussie midfielder would not give up on a lost cause and after blocking a Hibs clearance, the ball fell to Josh Ginnelly, who cut inside and although his effort was saved by David Marshall, Lawrence Shankland was able to fire home the rebound and grab his 17th goal of the season. Hearts  thought they had doubled their lead on 28 minutes when Toby Sibbick bundled the ball home after a penalty box scramble, only for it to be ruled out for offside. However, after a lengthy VAR review of just about everything, meaning a seven minute delay,  Hearts were awarded a penalty for a handball, Marshall guessed right, but Shankland’s penalty was too good, and Hearts were two goals to the good. The third goal almost arrived in first half stoppage time, a spin in behind from Josh Ginnelly, the perfect pass to find him from Toby Sibbick, but Marshall produced an excellent fingertip save to deny the winger’s attempt.

Hibs manager Lee Johnson made two substitutions at the break and the introductions of Aiden McGeady and Kyle Magennis did add a bit more threat to the visitors in the final third, whereas Hearts lost Andy Halliday and Michael Smith to injury in the opening ten minutes of the second period. Zander Clark  produced an excellent reaction save when Alex Cochrane’s clearance rebounded off a Hibs player and looked to be heading straight for the top corner. The third goal arrived in stoppage time. Stephen Humphrys marked his return from injury in fine fashion as he made no mistake after being sent clean through on goal to cap off another Hearts Derby victory.

I had a good walk home with a big smile on my face after the game. Wi His in the cup due soon the omens looked good for Hearts progressing to the next round.

Teams
Hearts; Clark, M.Smith, Halliday, Sibbick, Rowles, Cochrane, Ginnelly, Devlin, Shankland, Snodgrass. McKay
Subs: Atkinson, Grant, Forrest, Humphrys

Hibs: Marhall, Fish, Steveson, Cadden, Bushiri, Halon, McKirdy, Campbell, Nisbet, Newell, Youan.
Subs: Magennis, McGeady.



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