Martin Boyle climbed off the bench to grab a dramatic last-gasp leveller as he marked his Hibs return with an injury time strike to earn his side an Edinburgh derby point.
The 29-year-old only received international clearance at the eleventh hour following his Easter Road return from Al Faisaly. And he left it late following his introduction just after the hour mark with a goal deep into five minutes of injury time to cancel out Lawrence Shankland’s first half opener which looked set to hand the Jambos all three points.
It’s still seven games without a win in this fixture for Hibs but it felt like a victory for Lee Johnson and his side who looked to be heading for a defeat. Johnson said they’d gone too long without a win over Hearts, a run that stretches back to Boxing Day 2019 when Boyle netted a double and while his emotional return couldn’t inspire his men to victory he did at least have the last laugh.
Boyle gave Leith a lift as he was unveiled before kick off and was introduced just after the hour following his whirlwind return from Saudi Arabia. The home side started on the front foot with Craig Gordon forced into a smart save low to his right to keep out Elie Youan’s angled drive before Chris Cadden fizzed a dangerous ball across goal but there were no takers.
And Hearts punished their hosts as they showed their clinical side. Barrie McKay played a delicious ball through to Shankland who got in behind Nohan Kenneh to bring the ball under control before prodding it through the legs of the advancing David Marshall.
Marijan Cabraja desperately tried to prevent it going into the net but succeeded only in nudging it over the line before the Croat appealed for handball against Shankland - the type of incident VAR will be used for when it is introduced later this season.
It was all about how Hibs would react to going a goal down. And to be fair it was a positive response. Shankland proved to be effective at both ends as he scrambled Kenneh’s net-bound effort off the line, Joe Newell flashed a shot over before the best chance of all with Gordon making a superb one-handed save to push away Youan’s header from Elias Melkersen’s cross.
Ryan Porteous is no stranger to a rash challenge and the stopper’s name was taken by John Beaton following a tackle from behind on Liam Boyce which left him walking a tightrope.
Hibs had David Marshall to thank for keeping them in the game early int he second half. Alan Forrest did well down the right before squaring for Shankland and David Marshall made a superb point blank save before the veteran quickly got back to his feet to deny McKay from the rebound.
Boyle came on to rapturous applause just after the hour mark as Hibs boss Johnson turned to the 29-year-old for the inspiration needed to get them back into the game.
But there was frustration for Hibs and a mindless section of the fans allowed that to boil over as the pelted Alex Cochrane with chips with earlier reports that a bottle was thrown at scorer Shankland.
Neilson then picked up a booking as tempers started to fray before Bushiri headed over at the death in what looked like the last chance but Boyle had the final say with a dramatic leveller after a one-two with Youan.
Here’s three talking points from Easter Road.
Marvellous Martin
Martin Boyle didn't take long to show why Hibs were so keen to get him back. And whatever they paid for him it is likely to prove worth every penny following his shortlived spell in Saudi Arabia. But while his late goal might have felt like a winner, Hibs have still gone seven games without a derby win. Lee Johnson said the Easter Road side had gone “too long” without a win over their rivals. With a new manager and eleven new signings then it should have been a fresh start in the derby fixture. Yet for long spells there was such a familiar feel to it with Hibs spurning chances before being punished by the Jambos - until Boyle's late goal. There was even the customary booking for Ryan Porteous. It’s still seven without a win or Hibs against the men in maroon and Craig Levein’s ‘natural order’ claim seems as appropriate as ever. Hearts definitely seem to have a psychological advantage going into these games and Hibs must try to address that in the Ne’erday clash by ending their winless run.
Brilliant Barrie
Lawrence Shankland didn’t take long to find the net following his return to Scottish football from Belgium in the summer and it was a typical finish from the striker. But the assist from Barrie McKay was a touch of class as he showed great touch and vision to set up the Jambos striker. The 27-year-old is a joy to watch in full flow and the calls for a Scotland call-up are going to grow if he can continue this kind of form - although there’s an argument he should already have been involved following last season’s performances. Robbie Neilson has a gem in the former Rangers man who has matured into an outstanding talent.
Golden Oldie Goalies
It’s 16 years since Craig Gordon and David Marshall last went head to head in Scotland. During that time they have been friends and International team-mates. The veteran duo led their teams out with their vast experience earning them the skipper’s armband for their respective teams. And they both showed their worth despite their advancing years. Gordon pulled off a superb one-handed save to deny Elie Youan and his opposite number denied Lawrence Shankland a second before thwarting Barrie McKay from the rebound to complete a brilliant double save.
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