Match Report: Hibs 1-1 Hearts

Lawrence Shankland was on target for the Jambos in the first half, as he opened his cinch Premiership account. 

Much to the approval of Jambos everywhere, Hearts boss Robbie Neilson opted for an incendiary attacking line-up in Leith; Liam Boyce and Lawrence Shankland partnering up front for the first time, with Barrie McKay and Alan Forrest in support from the wide channels.
 
The hosts started the brighter of the two sides in an attacking sense; both Youan and Josh Campbell certainly drove at Hearts in waves – but some typically stern defending from a defensive pairing of Craig Halkett and Kye Rowles in the middle beat back these early chances.
 
The boys in maroon successfully rode the early pressure that the derby always brings and soon broke the deadlock with just 23 minutes on the clock; a magical McKay pass over the top picked out Shankland, who showed great strength to hold off his marker before slotting the ball past David Marshall to open his cinch Premiership account for the JTs.
 
Hibs, feeling the pressure from their own support, turned up the heat on the Jambos – with Craig Gordon soon called into action, making a superb stretching save to turn Youan’s bullet header away from goal.
 
The home side’s tempers began to fray, and Ryan Porteous picked up the first booking of the game on the cusp of half-time after hitting Liam Boyce with a late, reckless challenge.
 
Robbie Neilson’s words of wisdom after the break clearly had the desired effect; the Jambos emerged from the dressing room with the bit between their teeth, swarming the Hibs goal with a series of well-structured attacks.
 
Barrie McKay forced a fine save from David Marshall just minutes after the restart, with Hibs’ veteran ‘keeper called into action again to deny a stabbed effort from Shankland – hungry for a brace after his opener in the first 45.
 
Both sides saw half-chances go astray, with both Nathaniel Atkinson and Christian Doidge seeing efforts go astray.
 
When it seemed as though Hearts were closing in on a third consecutive derby win with just minutes of stoppage time to go – Martin Boyle, on his second Hibs debut, popped up with a last gasp goal to ensure the spoils were shared in a typically frantic Edinburgh derby.
 
 
Attendance: 20,179
 
Hibs: Marshall, Cadden, Porteous, Bushiri, Cabraja, Kenneh (Doyle-Hayes 79’),, Newell, Melkersen (Doidge 54’), Campbell (Boyle 62’), Henderson, Youan
 
Subs: Miller, Hanlon, Doyle-Hayes Doidge, Bojang, Dabrowski, McGregor, Macintyre, Boyle

Hearts: Gordon, Smith (Sibbick 63’), Rowles, Halkett, Cochrane, Haring, Grant (Devlin 76’), McKay, Forrest (Atkinson 63’), Boyce (Halliday 87’), Shankland
 
Subs: Stewart, Atkinson, Devlin, Sibbick, Neilson, Halliday, Henderson, Ginnelly