A tricky time for Hearts of late was made a little sweeter by a late leveller in their derby day draw at Easter Road.
Uche Ikpeazu’s 84th minute equaliser was a welcome relief for Craig Levein’s Jambos as they gave the fans something to cheer about. Three players that featured, and largely impressed, could yet have an impact on Hearts’ season.
Steven MacLean
Influential in setting up Ikpeazu’s equaliser, Steven MacLean has had an interesting season with the Jambos.
The 36-year-old has scored three league goals for Hearts, each one bearing no real impact on the result. Last week, it was the consolation in the 1-3 defeat to Rangers. But a goal and an assist in recent weeks will give Levein something to think about ahead of his team’s upcoming Scottish Cup final.
Ryan Edwards
The Aussie may have spent the first half of the season on loan at St Mirren but his introduction gave Hearts a little more life in the middle of the park.
His energy was a welcome inclusion to a Hearts midfield beginning to tire and his performance can’t go unnoticed as the Jambos salvaged a point.
It would be quite the tale if Edwards became a part of Levein’s plans for the Scottish Cup final, especially after previously being surplus to requirements. Who’s to say he can’t make the most of further opportunities?
Harry Cochrane
NTOF were banging Harry Cochrane’s drum in February.
Levein likes throwing a spanner into the works from time-to-time. And many an eyebrow was raised after starting two teenage midfielders in Cochrane and Connor Smith. But his decision to do so seemed a justified one with both churning out a performance beyond their years.
There’s plenty more to come from the recently turned 18-year-old, both this season and beyond.
This is the first time since the 1991-92 season that a home team has failed to win an Edinburgh derby. Hearts will be hoping that their dramatic equaliser in Leith can hopefully spur them on to a better league standing and potential Scottish Cup victory.
It’s going to be a tricky task but these three players, and several others, seem determined to make Hearts’ season a decent one after all.