In a dramatic Edinburgh derby that will be remembered for its late twists, Blair Spittal emerged as the hero for Hearts, netting an 86th‑minute winner that turned a 1-1 stalemate into a 2-1 triumph over a depleted Hibernian side. The win not only clinched three points for the league leaders but also stretched their advantage to three points over Celtic in second place and four points ahead of Rangers in third, intensifying the title race as the season draws to a close. From the opening whistle, the atmosphere at Easter Road was electric.
Hearts entered the match buoyed by news of Rangers’ unexpected loss to Motherwell, and many pundits saw the derby as a pivotal opportunity for the "Jam Tarts" to cement their position at the summit of the Scottish Premiership. Hibs, still smarting from their December derby win and eager to deny their city rivals any momentum, responded with vigor, launching an early assault that soon bore fruit.
The first breakthrough came in the seventh minute when Martin Boyle, a specialist in derby fixtures, latched onto a dangerous free‑kick delivered by Jamie McGrath. Boyle’s close‑range finish found the back of the net, sending the Hibs supporters into rapturous celebration and putting Hearts on the back foot. The early goal set the tone for a fiercely contested encounter, with both sides trading chances and the crowd’s roar rising with each attack. However, Hibernian’s composure began to unravel just seven minutes later.
Their goalkeeper, Raphael Sallinger, attempted to play the ball with his hands after a long clearance, a decision that fell foul of the VAR protocol. The referee, Don Robertson, consulted the monitor and promptly issued a straight red card, reducing Hibs to ten men. The dismissal was a severe blow, but the visitors managed to hold on, defending resolutely despite being a man down. The first half continued with Hibs creating opportunities, notably through Claudio Braga, who missed two clear chances that could have leveled the score.
Yet the real turning point arrived shortly after the interval. Felix Passlack, a defender for Hibs, was shown a second yellow for a high challenge on Hearts midfielder Beni Baningime. The referee’s decision, while debated, resulted in Passlack’s expulsion, leaving Hibernian with only nine players on the pitch – a scenario that proved almost insurmountable.
Hearts sensed the shift in momentum and began to press with renewed vigor. Marc Leonard’s powerful drive rattled the cross‑bar, and a series of waves of attack tested the resolve of reserve goalkeeper Jordan Smith, who had been thrust into the spotlight after the red card to Sallinger. The breakthrough finally arrived when Lawrence Shankland’s near‑post flick was inadvertently deflected into his own net by defender Warren O'Hora, granting Hearts a 1-0 lead. Even with a two‑man advantage, Hearts struggled to convert dominance into a larger margin.
The Hibs defense, though heavily outnumbered, displayed remarkable resilience, and the match remained tightly contested. It was not until the final minutes that Blair Spittal, who had been introduced as a substitute, made his decisive impact. After a well‑timed run down the right flank and a precise cross from Sabah Kerjota, Spittal met the ball with a composed side‑foot finish, slotting it into the bottom corner to seal a 2-1 victory for Hearts. The win propelled Hearts further up the league table, widening the gap to Celtic and Rangers and setting up a crucial showdown with Rangers at home on May 4, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Captain Lawrence Shankland, speaking to Sky Sports after the final whistle, emphasized the significance of the result: "We want to do it. We’re close enough. We’ve worked so hard to get to this point and it’s important we go and try to finish it off." Hibernian, now sitting fifth, will look to regroup and hope that the Glasgow giants drop points in the remaining fixtures, a scenario that could keep Hearts’ title aspirations alive despite the setback.
Hibs manager David Gray praised his players’ effort, noting that the nine men who remained after the 48th minute gave everything, especially goalkeeper Jordan Smith, whose crucial saves kept the team in contention. Hearts manager Derek McInnes reflected on the performance, highlighting the team’s discipline and composure: "We stayed calm, stayed disciplined. When we need someone, our captain steps up. Then we need the winner and Blair Spittal delivers.
It was a bit unusual, but we deserved the win." The derby also featured insights from Sky Sports analyst Kris Boyd, who lauded Hearts’ consistency at the top of the table and the belief players have in McInnes’s leadership. He noted the importance of squad depth, with bench players making meaningful contributions that could prove vital in the final stretch of the season.
Overall, the match encapsulated the intensity of Scottish football’s title race: a blend of early drama, disciplinary setbacks, tactical adjustments, and a late‑stage heroics that swung the points in Hearts’ favour. As the season enters its decisive phase, the Jam Tarts will aim to maintain their momentum, while Hibs will seek redemption in the games ahead, hoping to turn the lessons from this hard‑fought derby into future success.