Hecky’s at the wheel rang out at full time in Gorgie on Saturday. Hibernian managed to beat their rivals Hearts at Tynecastle for the first time in 6 years, courtesy of two excellent Daryl Horgan strikes. It’s just another milestone in a great start to life under new manager Paul Heckingbottom.
Yet to lose in the league under him, they leapfrogged their rivals and now sit in fifth place, with a European spot now the aim for Hibs.
Heckingbottom is driving the Easter Road side towards Europe. (photo by Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)
The likes of Marc McNulty, Darren McGregor and David Gray were immense but Horgan has rightfully stolen the headlines. He achieved something that hasn’t been done by a Hibs player in 34 years.
His double meant that he became the first player to score a double at Tynecastle in 34 years. Joe McBride came off the bench to hit the Jambos with a seven minute double 34 years ago and now Horgan knows that exact feeling. His name has been catapulted from Hibs player to Hibs hero.
Flying under the radar
Outside of Leith, Horgan’s efforts have went unnoticed. He has quietly became one of Hibs’ most effective players this season, with seven goals and nine assists.
The Irishman has been quietly brilliant for Hibs this season. (photo by Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)
His two goals on Saturday were clinical. His first was a clinical strike, getting on the end of McNulty’s terrific pass and stroking the ball into the bottom corner. The winger’s second was deadly, picking the ball up on the edge of the box and firing it into the left hand corner.
His all round performance was excellent too. He terrorised the Hearts defence all game with pace and movement. Michael Smith was just returning from injury at right back, he couldn’t have picked a harder game to come in for.
The Irishman has been great for Hibs this season. His attitude is great, whenever something went wrong earlier in the season, he bounced straight back. He was played in an unnatural central position at times by Neil Lennon. Now Heckingbottom is playing him in his natural winger spot, Horgan is reaping the rewards.
Horgan scored a crucial double, with his efforst sending Hibs to their first Tynecastle win since 2013. (Photo by Callum Landells/Getty Images)
The Irishman is very underrated and most people outside of Easter Road wouldn’t have noticed how good he was until Saturday. With his Tynecastle performance though, he’s well in the spotlight now.
Horgan managed to do something in a Hibs shirt that hasn’t been done in 34 years. That is just reward for a player who give his all to the Hibees cause every time he pulls on the shirt.