Sunday’s Edinburgh derby was a game of two halves, though Hibs definitely deserved their win over Hearts.
Hearts went on to lose 2-1, but probably shaded the first 45 minutes, even though they fell behind to Martin Boyle’s early opener. Jorge Grant quickly equalised with a brilliant strike, bettered only by Jack Iredale’s winner deep into the second half.
The Hibees improved massively after the break and started to move the ball well, working it into wide areas to hurt their visitors who were operating with a diamond midfield.
Scott Allan praised Hibs’ composure in doing exactly that which he felt was pivotal in them going on to claim three points.
While Neil Critchley admitted his Hearts side didn’t deserve anything on the basis of their second half performance.
Grant was even more frank as he admitted they haven’t wanted the win enough in any of the derbies this season, with a draw and two defeats.
Michael Stewart says Nicky Cadden changed game for Hibs
Nicky Cadden has been Hibs’ outstanding player this season and also in this game. Continually finding himself free on the left, he delivered dangerous balls into the box and was involved for the winning goal.
The wing-back had a shout for a penalty early in the second half after a challenge by Gerald Taylor, who struggled in the game.
And while no spot kick was given, Michael Stewart reckons that was a turning point in the game.
Speaking on Premier Sports’ Scottish Football Social Club, he said: “I watched the second half again today and the game flipped on Nicky Cadden skinning Taylor into the box and potentially getting a penalty kick.
, Hibs just got into their rhythm and exploited the diamond midfield for Hearts.”
Wondering why Critchley didn’t make changes earlier, he went on: “I can understand why Neil Critchley started like that because it’s the way they’ve been playing, they’ve found a rhythm themselves playing like that. And for the first half, they were looking good.
“But the concern is that playing like that and Hibs get the upper hand. Nicky Cadden, who is the danger man, gets too much space, and that’s how it proved to be.
“And I just feel, I know he made changes around 65-70 minutes, but I think he needed to be making changes quicker.
“This also highlights one of the other problems Hearts have got, a lack of balance in the team. They’ve got nobody who could go and play that position as a wide right player, just to shut him off and double up.
“And I think he should have substituted Gerald Taylor. He’s been out for a long time, he was exposed and didn’t have any cover. Forrester is sitting on the bench.
“He brought on Kartum for a bit of extra cover, but Kartum can’t run and isn’t a wide man.”
Hibs to finish third and Hearts for top six
Stewart reckons Hibs are now hot favourites to finish third, under three months after the sat bottom of the Premiership.
“Hibs are in pole position to finish third now, which is incredible,” he said. “And I think they will, I think Hibs are going to finish third.
“They were bottom of the table mid-December, two-and-a-half months ago.”
As for Hearts, they face a battle to even finish top six but their former captain reckons they will do it.
He added: “Make the top six and you can start thinking about Europe. Hearts are not going to be in trouble down the way but their danger is they somehow don’t make that top six.
“I still feel that they should and they will.”