5 of the Best: Memorable clashes between Hibernian and Hearts
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Friday sees the 317th Edinburgh derby take place. With over 140 years of history behind this fixture, there’s been enough drama to fill a book or eight.
That includes a slew of nail-biting nerves, utter joy and total despair for fans of both Hibernian and Heart of Midlothian in recent years. We take a look at five of the finest clashes since the new millennium. Here goes!
Hibernian 6-2 Hearts [SPL, 22nd October 2000]
Only four times in Edinburgh Derby history has either side scored six or more goals, and most recently that was the Hibees.
Amazingly enough, Alex McLeish’s side were trailing as the game ticked towards half-time. Andy Kirk’s fifth-minute goal saw the Jam Tarts leading as the clock hit 42 minutes – despite a string of Hibs chances.
But Mixu Paatelainen’s equaliser – clinically gobbled up after a lucky rebound – turned the tide instantly. In fact, the Finnish ace had grabbed his second and made it 2-1 before half-time.
The floodgates opened after the interval, with Paatelainen completing his hat-trick, while David Zitelli, John O’Neill and Russell Latapy also adding to make it 6-1. A late Hearts consolation couldn’t take the shine off this Hibs win!
Hearts 4-4 Hibernian [SPL, 2nd January 2003]
With three injury-time goals, this one was a reminder of why to never leave a game early. Especially – in this case – if you’re a Hearts fan.
Hibs were two up within 20 minutes, with the ever-lively Tam McManus nodding home deftly for the second.
The hosts then pulled themselves back to 2-2, but seemed to have thrown the game away when Sunderland loanee Craig James scored, and Paatelainen made it 4-2 in injury-time.
Step forward 18-year-old Graham Weir. The striker made it 4-3 in the final minute of added time, before thundering home an equaliser from Mark de Vries’ cross 42 seconds later. Never has a draw felt more like a win for the Tynecastle faithful.
Hearts 3-2 Hibernian [SPL, 26th December 2006]
Followers of the Jam Tarts got a late Christmas present in this Boxing Day cracker – though the home side did things the hard way once again.
It seemed to be going to plan for Hearts, with a Paul Hartley tap-in breaking the deadlock inside two minutes against his former club.
And when Hibs keeper Zbigniew Malkowski fumbled an innocuous free-kick just after the break, Edgaras Jankauskas nipped in to make it 2-0.
A quick-fire response from Hibs saw Chris Killen and Dean Shiels register to throw the game wide open. In incredible fashion, a fracas saw Shiels sent off mere seconds after his equaliser. But the headlines went to Saulius Mikoliunas, whose long-range screamer made it 3-2 Hearts and sealed the points.
Hibernian 1-5 Hearts [Scottish Cup Final, 19th May 2012]
The city of Edinburgh was buzzing ahead of this clash on the big stage at Hampden. But in the end, only Hearts turned up – delivering a masterclass, and picking up their first major silverware in six years in the process.
Darren Barr pounced on a scramble in the box to put Hearts ahead, before Jam Tarts legend Rudi Skacel doubled their advantage with a stunning finish on the turn. James McPake gave the Cabbage a dash of hope before half-time – but it didn’t last.
But the second half and the trophy belonged to Paulo Sergio’s men. Danny Grainger made it 3-1 from the penalty spot with his first for the club. That effectively killed the game, but the icing on the cake came as Ryan McGowan and Skacel (again) netted.
Hearts 1-2 Hibernian [SPL, 12th May 2013]
Late drama was the order of the day once again in May 2013, as Hibs came from behind to bag a first win at Tynecastle in over four years.
That man Barr broke the deadlock in this fixture once again, poking home an absurdly scrappy goal (they all count!) on the stroke of half-time. But after a likely half-time rollicking, Hibs roared back into life after the break.
If that was an ugly goal, Leigh Griffiths’ equaliser was the absolute opposite. A stunning long-range free-kick which breezed into the top corner, and set the travelling fans wild – it underlined the youngster’s immense talent.
But the sides looked sure to settle the points, heading into the final moments. But strong pressing from the Hibees saw 19-year-old Ross Caldwell presented with a chance inside the box. And he duly curled one home to secure a memorable 2-1 win.
So, where will the spoils be heading in Friday night’s Ladbrokes Premiership clash at Easter Road?
Hosts Hibernian are 3/4 for victory, while it’s 4/1 for a Hearts win. As for a share of the spoils, that’s a 23/10 shot.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
