Hearts showed their clinical edge in front of goal as they defeated Hibernian 3-0 at Easter Road to progress to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup in an action packed Edinburgh derby.
Hibs started the better of the two sides but it was the Jambos who showed their ruthless touch to go a goal up against the run of play. On 10 minutes, Robert Snodgrass whipped in a free kick from the right hand side, and after Hibs failed to clear their lines twice, the ball fell to Josh Ginnelly, who fired it low into the bottom corner from inside the area past David Marshall.
The home side passed up several big opportunities to find a leveller, with Josh Campbell having two huge chances to get his team on the scoresheet. It was more of the same story in the second half, but once again Hearts bided their time, and on 72 minutes Lawrence Shankland lashed in a terrific half volley from the edge of the area after a neat one-two with Stephen Humphrys.
READ MORE: Robbie Neilson admits Hearts' win over Aberdeen means NOTHING as he reveals half-time message
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The decisive second goal flattened the mood around Easter Road, and whilst Shankland saw red for a second yellow card, Hearts added a third in stoppage time, as defender Toby Sibbick bombed forward to delightfully dink the ball over Marshall to score his first goal for the club. Hearts now progress to the last 16 of the Scottish Cup, and will hope to go one better this season having finished as runner's up in the competition to Rangers last year.
Ginnelly reaping rewards from run in Jambos team
Englishman Ginnelly has often flattered to deceive since joining Hearts permanently in the summer of 2021, following an initial loan spell. But boss Neilson has continued to show faith in the winger, and now that confidence is being rewarded with a fine run of performances as well as couple of goals.
The 25-year old's opening goal in the derby was his fifth in 25 appearances this season, which has now equalled his tally for the whole of the previous campaign. Ginnelly was previously on the scoresheet in the 5-0 hammering of Aberdeen last Wednesday and has formed a strong partnership with Shankland and Barrie McKay in the Jambos front three, with the trio firing Hearts into the driving seat for third spot in the Premiership for a second year running.
Resolute defending
For large spells of the game, Hearts were happy to let their city rivals dominate the ball and come onto them. And whilst Zander Clark was called upon to make a couple of decent saves, in the main the Jambos back line dealt with everything the Hibees threw at them, whilst keeping talisman Kevin Nisbett extremely quiet.
New signing James Hill did get caught out in possession on a couple of occasions, but the youngster handled opposite number Aiden McGeady down the Hearts left very well, whilst Kye Rowles and Sibbick alongside him produced typically strong performances to ensure the Tynecastle sides' place in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup.
Sibbick will grab the headlines with his superb dinked finish in the closing minutes, but the 3-0 win at Easter Road was also Heart's fourth clean sheet in their last five matches, with manager Neilson now having a lot more options in his defensive ranks with players now returning from injury.
Shankland relishes derby occasion
The striker has now netted four goals in his first three appearances in this fixture, having only made the move back to Scotland from Beerschot last summer.
The Scotland international had a quiet game, but once again demonstrated his quality in front of goal, brilliantly firing home with a half-volley from the edge of the area to put the result beyond Hibs reach.
The goal was also 20th in all competitions so far this season, and he is a certain to earn a recall to Steve Clarke's national team squad for the start of the EURO 2024 qualifying campaign in March.
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