Hibernian, bidding to record a third consecutive league win against Hearts for the first time in over a century, were denied a little piece of Scottish football history at Tynecastle this evening.
The Easter Road side were beaten by their city rivals in the first Edinburgh derby of the 2025/26 campaign thanks to a dramatic injury-time Craig Halkett strike to the delight and disbelief of the home supporters in the 18,760-strong crowd.
Can the hosts, who moved five points clear at the top of the William Hill Premiership table at the end of 90 minutes which were high on endeavour but low on quality, record a momentous achievement of their own this season and be crowned champions for the first time since way back in 1960?
Hearts, who will remain in first place even if Celtic overcome Motherwell at Parkhead in their game in hand tomorrow afternoon, maintained both their unbeaten start to the new term and their momentum with this hard-fought, joyously-celebrated triumph.
The longer their run continues, the more they will believe they can end the 40 year Glasgow duopoly of the trophy and prevail come May. Here are five talking points to arise from events in a blustery Gorgie tonight.
Boyle denied
Derek McInnes fielded an unchanged starting line-up for the third game running. But there was a notable addition to the bench. Craig Gordon was back in the hosts’ squad after a long spell out injured.
The 42-year-old goalkeeper was named in the Scotland squad for their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Belarus at Hampden despite not being involved in a competitive fixture since May 3 due to a slipped disc.
Can he force his way into the national team again and help his country book a place in the finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States next summer? Much will depend on how Alex Schwolow acquits himself going forward.
The German could have done better when Martin Boyle broke through on goal in the second half and chipped over him. The Hibs forward saw his effort come back off the underside of the crossbar before relieved Hearts centre-half Stuart Findlay hooked the ball to safety. It was to prove a crucial let off.
Bowie not at his best
Kieron Bowie will also be hoping to feature for Scotland again in the coming days after once again being called up by Steve Clarke.
But will the young striker be able to provide the men in dark blue with a cutting edge in attack? Not on this evidence. He is not performing as well as he can just now.
He worked hard before being replaced at the death. Every up-and-coming professional goes through fluctuations in form. But Bowie has to do more, far more, if he is to fulfil his potential with club and country.
Harry Kari
Hearts defender Harry Milne was rewarded for his fine play this season with a new contract this week – the former Partick Thistle player received a one year extension to his current deal which ties him to Tynecastle until the summer of 2027.
The left back, who once again showed his versatility by slotting in on the right side of midfield this evening, made his debut in the Edinburgh derby.
But he was not his usual self. He was far from the only one on the park. The conditions were admittedly tricky. Still, the 28-year-old will have been disappointed that he was unable to shine.
Halkett the hero
Both sides will feel they could have fared better in the final third than they did. But neither team can be criticised for their efforts at the back. Every half chance which was created was effectively snuffed out. Neither Schwolow or Raphael Sallinger were seriously tested.
It took until the 92nd minute for someone to find the net. Hearts substitute Sabah Kerjota cut inside from the right flank and whipped a brilliant cross to his team mate Halkett at the far post. The centre-half slid in and found the bottom left corner with a well-taken half volley.
Derby disappointment
Celtic and Rangers may finally have settled their differences and agreed to give up five per cent of their capacity at Parkhead and Ibrox to away supporters for Old Firm matches.
But it was still nice to see a full stand at Tynecastle filled with “travelling” fans. The green and white-clad hordes filled the Roseburn and created quite a din. Their maroon counterparts gave as good as they got.
This fixture has, alas, been blighted by bad behaviour in recent years and the early evening kick-off time increased the likelihood of trouble flaring off the park and of objects being hurled at the players on it. A fair few of those in attendance were well lubricated by the time they got to the turnstiles.
Mercifully, there were no flashpoints, unseemly incidents or contentious decisions which caused a spectator to overreact.
There was a tifo by home faithful who were billeted in the Wheatfield Stand – they unfurled a banner with a bulldog in a strip with the words We Are Hearts around it and held up coloured pieces of paper - before kick-off. Their heroes were unable to match their fine display. Nor were the visitors.
The atmosphere inside the ground is never lacking when these old foes face each other. The work rate of both sets of players could not be faulted either. But the standard of the spectacle all too often leaves much to be desired. This was another one of those occasions. Not that anyone of a Hearts persuasion was complaining as they headed into the night.
