Tomas Magnusson (centre) secured Hearts’ dramatic late victory against Hibs.
Heart of Midlothian v Hibernian: Key Highlights
10/02/2025
Heart of Midlothian have clinched yet another late derby victory, fueled by a dramatic late goal at Tynecastle, and another touchline celebration by Derek McInnes.
Tomas Magnusson’s 88th-minute strike in Tuesday’s Edinburgh derby against Hibernian has further solidified their title aspirations, a prospect few considered likely at the season’s outset.
This season has been punctuated by moments of late-game brilliance, igniting fervent belief among their supporters.
It’s the hallmark of potential champions – the ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and transform challenging situations into crucial points.
Celtic and Rangers have consistently demonstrated this trait over the years, with Celtic’s recent Scottish Cup performance serving as another example. Now, Hearts are proving their mettle.
This win was crucial after last week’s setback against St Mirren, especially with both Old Firm clubs showing improvement under their new managers.
A defeat against Hibs would have opened the door for Rangers to seize the top spot when they face Motherwell on Tuesday.
Instead, with just 12 games remaining, McInnes’s side, who have led the league since September, now hold a six-point advantage over Danny Rohl’s Rangers as they prepare for a challenging away fixture against the fourth-placed team.
Reigning champions Celtic trail by a further three points, albeit with a game in hand.
Listen: Analysis of Hearts’ Late Derby Victory Over Hibs
Preview: Motherwell v Rangers, O’Neill & Nygren Under Scrutiny
Hearts Extend Premiership Lead with Late Derby Win Against Hibs
Hearts’ knack for late winners was first evident in the second round of fixtures this season.
At Tannadice, Stuart Findlay’s late goal overturned a 2-1 deficit against Dundee United, securing all three points for McInnes’s squad.
They repeated this feat at the end of August against Livingston, with Alexandros Kyziridis scoring at Almondvale to seal a 2-1 victory.
Then came Craig Halkett’s dramatic 91st-minute goal in the first derby of the season, connecting with a Sabah Kerjota cross.
These late-game heroics extend beyond goals. Consider Craig Gordon’s pivotal save against Dundee, while the team was down to 10 men following Alexander Schwolow’s red card.
Clinging to a 1-0 lead, the veteran Scotland international somehow denied Emile Acquah’s header, preserving two crucial points.
Statistically, Hearts have scored 12 goals in the last 15 minutes of league matches this season, second only to Rangers.
“Our strength lies in our unwavering determination to control the game,” head coach McInnes remarked. “Harry Milne’s drive to deliver the ball to the byline, Tomas Magnusson’s eagerness to capitalize on the opportunity – that’s the essence of our approach.”
“I’m always confident that we can find the net; we rarely fail to score. It was a truly magnificent moment for us, and Tynecastle was a sight to behold.”
In addition to late goals, Hearts are also developing a knack for winning under pressure and securing maximum points even with less-than-stellar performances – another characteristic of title-winning teams.
“If you aspire to compete for titles and win leagues, you must be able to grind out victories, which is exactly what Hearts did tonight,” commented former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew on Premier Sports.
He was not alone in noting Hearts’ subpar performance. Despite McInnes fielding an attacking lineup, their build-up play appeared hesitant, struggling to maintain composure amidst the typically chaotic atmosphere of an Edinburgh derby.
“They won’t be overly concerned about the performance; they have 12 games remaining to make history,” observed former Hearts midfielder Ryan Stevenson, who also found it challenging to select a man of the match, on BBC Sportsound.
“Harry Milne, in my opinion, exerted every effort to influence the game and propel Hearts forward. Apart from him, the rest were largely underwhelming.”
Scott Allan, former Hibs and Celtic midfielder, offered a more nuanced assessment.
“Considering the magnitude of tonight’s game and their failure to perform at their best… I struggled to envision Hearts scoring, and I believed Hibs were destined for victory,” he reflected.
“To secure a win under those circumstances, while also maintaining a clean sheet, speaks volumes about the foundation being built there.
“Derek McInnes will not be dwelling on that performance. It places Hearts in a tremendous position heading into the match on Sunday.”
Ah yes, Sunday’s match – Rangers at Ibrox. Hearts secured a victory there back in September, their first away win against the blue side of Glasgow since 2014.
Few could have anticipated that, upon Hearts’ return, they would still hold a lead over their hosts in the league standings.
“If they secure three points at Ibrox, I believe they will win the league,” Stevenson predicted. A bold prediction for a crucial game.
Visit our Hearts page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views
Get Hearts news notifications in the BBC Sport app