Kevin Nisbet pounced to end Hibs’ Edinburgh Derby hoodoo and take the heat off his gaffer – while wrecking Steven Naismith’s debut in the Hearts dugout.
The Scotland striker smashed home a second half winner to end a horror run of nine games without victory against the Jambos and give gaffer Lee Johnson his first win in the fixture in a rocking Easter Road. It was a nightmare start for Naismith though after taking charge in the wake of Robbie Neilson’s shock sacking earlier in the week.
The interim boss has his work cut out halting the slide in Gorgie with defeat across the city leaving his side five points adrift of Aberdeen in the fight for third – and just two above their fierce rivals on their tails. Johnston and Naismith both got booked after a minor touchline Barney but only one of them was left smiling at the end. The Hearts caretaker’s early plans took a hit inside the opening few minutes when Michael Smith was forced to hobble off after stretching to reach an early ball through the middle.
Hearts regrouped but it was Hibs who edged an enthralling first 45 minutes. Lee Johnston’s men got control of the middle of the park and with a bit more composure in the final third they would have been ahead. Elie Youan passed up a couple of great opportunities. He was denied by a superb point bank save from Zander Clark and soon after blazed over the bar after being teed up by Nisbet.
Joe Newell also slashed one high as the home side forced Hearts back. The visitors posed a fee threats of their own. Allan Forrest got a sight of goal, but he could’t steer on target, while Andy Halliday’s back post header needed diverted by David Marshall. It was tetchy at times with both sides going full pelt – and the break neck pace continued after the interval.
Youan had another chance to let rip but couldn’t get hold of it, then Nisbet inside before lashing an effort across the face of goal. Moments later Chris Cadden scraped the outside of the post after darting in from the right.
The pressure was building – and Hibs smashed their way through after 67 minutes when Nisbet brilliantly smashed in a volley from Paul Hanlon’s flick on. Johnston’s men could smell blood but Youan picked the wrong option when had the chance to cut back and inflict more damage. Hearts survived and it at least gave them a chance to go for broke late on but the Hibs defence wasn’t for budging.
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OOPS A NAISY
Steven Naismith certainly looked the part as a gaffer on the touchline and he said all the right stuff in the build up.
But this was far from the start the Hearts interim boss would have wanted. The Jambos were always in the contest but constantly looked second best. In fairness to the stand in boss, there’s only so much you can do, and this Jambos team looked completely drained of confidence. Naismith promised a new approach but it looked like more of the same as Hearts struggled to get a grip of the midfield and it left Lawrence Shankland fighting for scraps up top.
A few weeks ago it seemed the Tynecastle men were an shoo in for third spot – but now they could have a real battle just to make Europe at all. If Naismith can somehow turn this around he’ll deserve a crack at the gig beyond the summer.
THINGS LOOKING UP FOR LEE
There was some contrast to Naismith in the opposite dugout. Lee Johnston needed this.
After four defeats on the spin, the Hibs boss was coming under fire and another derby defeat could have made life really uncomfortable. Instead, the gaffer got a tune out of his side to end a brutal barren run against Hearts – and fire them back in to the Euro race.
Johnston has been up against it at times this season. The Easter Road injury list has been savage, with the likes of Martin Boyle, Aiden McGeady and Kyle Magennis and missing for large chunks and Ryan Porteous departing in January.
But he’s hung on in there and it would be some job if Hibs can finish above Hearts.
TV SNUB A TURN OFF
The Edinburgh Derby is one of the crown jewels of Scottish football – but for some reason Sky left it gathering dust in the basement again.
His decided to make this an early kick-off to make a few quid from pay-per-view, and good luck to them. But this clash deserved a wider audience. Casual viewers are not going to be logging on to stump up cash to watch, and it’s a shame.
This was Scottish football at it’s full-blooded best. Sure, the quality might be questionable at times, but the drama isn’t up for debate.
In fairness to the broadcasters, their hands are tied when it comes to the number of games they can show from each ground. The number will go up for the next deal but the entire idea needs to go in the bin.
The Edinburgh Derby should always be on television.
