Five Hibs vs Hearts talking points: Hibees win comes with demand and Jambos transfer move reasons made clearer

Hibs and Hearts have been left picking the bones out of an Edinburgh derby that has sparked contrasting feelings for both.

David Gray’s hosts won a pulsating Premiership fixture 3-2 after goals from Jamie McGrath, Josh Campbell and Kieron Bowie’s powerful winner. It fended off a fightback from Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin efforts and lit a fire under Hibs aspirations for European football.

Hearts remain top of the table but second-placed Celtic have games in hand and won 4-2 at Livingston on Saturday. Here are some of our key talking points to come out of the fixture between Hibs and Hearts.

Derby fundamentals

Similar to the game against Rangers, Hearts did not exactly come flying out the traps. While they managed to ride the storm against Ibrox and turn in an overall astute performance to claim victory, that was not the case here. Hibs played to the raucous home gallery in excellent manner and appeared to embrace the derby fundamentals better than their visitors, helped hugely by the early opener.

Hibs star firing

There were plenty of top performers in this game from a Hibs perspective but Bowie’s winner looked like a man who was back at his peak. Yes, it was a chance created thanks to a Hearts error, but his composure to then punish in lethal fashion was the mark of a man with firm belief in himself. He’s not had it all his own way this season but with this taking him to three goals in four games, Bowie appears to be getting into his groove. Sevan goals and three assists from 19 games is just above a goal contribution every other game, a fine return for someone who’s been questioned at times.

Hearts transfer need in focus

Jordi Altena is closing in on a move to Hearts and will come into right-back contention at Tynecastle. It’s an area of the park that has been scrutinised this term, with midfielder Oisin McEntee and centre-back Michael Steinwender filling in, amid limited chances for natural option Christian Borchgrevnik. Hibs’ first half efforts come from crosses down that side and showed that while McEntee and Steinwender over the piece have been solid for Hearts this term in the main, another natural option wouldn’t go amiss. Altena could be that man who provides what’s needed.

Easter Road springboard

Having lost three times to Rangers before Christmas, a defeat to Celtic and late derby heartbreak against Hearts, Hibs fans were desperate for a big win. This is the biggest result of their season so far and after some inconsistencies in the first half of this campaign, this can now be a springboard for fully launching themselves into the conversation to reclaim the third spot they won last term. Gray thought as much full-time. He said: “We got there in the end but this is the halfway point in the season, that’s 19 games now. So we need to then use this as a big opportunity. We need to use all the positives to really kick on.”

Jambos perspective

Yes, this is a setback for Hearts, and the initial pain of losing against bitter rivals will be hard to stomach on top of dropped points in the title race. That said, it is far from the time for all hope to be flung overboard after just a second league loss. The Jambos have taken nine points from 12 in a gauntlet that’s included trips to Celtic, Falkirk and Hibs, on top of a home clash with Rangers. That’s a good return in four of the toughest fixtures the Premiership can offer up. Returns like this in a run next year against Celtic, Dundee United and St Mirren away from home, Hibs at Tynecastle and Rangers in Govan will put Hearts in a strong position.