The remarkable turnaround for David Gray’s Hibs continued as they won back-to-back derbies and made it 15 unbeaten in the Premiership.
Gray’s side managed a very meaningful 2-1 win over Hearts that sends them to third in the table for now and leaves their rivals in the bottom six. It’s also back-to-back wins in the fixture.
The Hibees have now gone 15 games without tasting defeat and are in a really good place after turning it around from their travails earlier in the campaign.
The Hibs boss told pre-match how his message to the players was about handling the ‘spicy’ derby occasion and they didn’t appear to do that in the first half, before improving massively after the break.
The Easter Road men now take the driving seat in the battle for third with Aberdeen and Dundee United, who face each other this afternoon.
Jack Iredale was the surprise hero today, the left centre-back stepping forward to win the game with a thunderbolt.
Jack Iredale surprises Gray with Hibs winning strike vs Hearts
Defender Iredale pulled an absolute piledriver out the bag to win the game, catching it on the bounce and sending an arrowed strike into the far corner, just inside the box.
It was the first goal he has scored in Hibs colours after signing last summer and first since one for Bolton in November 2023.
He won’t score many better in his career, either.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Gray said: “I think second half we were definitely a different animal altogether. First half we caused a lot of our own problems – a lack of quality, decision making.
“We knew we needed to switch the play against Hearts‘ diamond. We didn’t do it well enough, or trying to force things. Individual errors at times and that’s where the goal comes from, lashing at clearances.
“So a little bit more composure was needed second half and a little bit more aggression and intent to go forward, which I thought we seen in the second half.
“I thought we were really good second half and then seen the game out quite comfortably. And a brilliant goal to win the derby which is something that will live with Jack for the rest of his life because I’ve never seen him hit it like that.”
Hibs nervousness in the first half
Asked if he agreed his team looked nervous in the first half, Gray added: “Yeah, I think it was a lack of composure. Maybe a little bit of anxiety, the derby and everything that goes with it.
“The run we’ve been on but it’s also been a real tough schedule for both teams. Both teams in good form, everyone is talking about that.
“Everyone’s thinking it’s going to be a brilliant schedule but it could go the other way, where both teams don’t want to lose the game. There was maybe a bit of that in the first half.”