Hearts 1-2 Hibs: Player ratings, two new injuries, new signing, more problems for Vrancken

Hearts’ 100-per-cent Hampden Park record against Hibs fell as the Easter Road side progressed to the Premier Sports Cup final. Four previous victories in Glasgow for the Tynecastle club helped make them favourites for this tie, but new Hibs manager Marink Reedijk oversaw a massive first win in charge on the big stage.

Claudio Braga’s first Edinburgh derby goal opened the scoring early for Hearts, however Martin Boyle and Jamie McGrath struck to overhaul that deficit before half-time. For the Gorgie side, there were further injuries with midfielder Tomas Magnusson suffering suspected concussion and winger Calvin Miller a possible hamstring problem. Head coach Wouter Vrancken is already without eight first-team regulars and could only watch in dismay as two more dropped out.

Hibs recovered with determination after falling 1-0 behind and produced a strong first-half performance. They reached the interval deservedly in front as some Hearts fans jeered their players off. Those in maroon asserted themselves better in the second period but could not force a goal to take the match to extra-time. They left the field disconsolately as Hibs celebrated a first success over their city rivals at Hampden.

The relentless injuries will doubtless impact Thursday’s UEFA Conference League trip to Switzerland to face FC Thun. They looked fatigued for spells of this game but, due to fitness issues, Vrancken has few options to freshen up his team.

Swathes of maroon and green covered the stadium’s famous slopes as supporters from Edinburgh arrived in Glasgow eager to see their team progress to December’s final, where Rangers lay in wait. Hearts reinstated Stephen Kingsley at left-back in place of the injured Rogers Mato and appointed him captain for the day, while Hibs were grateful to have both Boyle and Miguel Chaiwa fit.

An electric atmosphere built inside the stadium for kick-off, and Hearts began on the offensive. They scored within three minutes. Miller’s corner into the six-yard box was met on the run by the unmarked Braga. He darted undetected in between both Hibs centre-backs Jason Kerr and Marko Ivezic to nod a clean downward header into the net. It was the perfect start for the Tynecastle side.

Hibs responded defiantly, though. Joe Newell slid a precise through ball for newly-appointed captain Felix Passlack, but his shot lacked conviction and was stopped by the Hearts goalkeeper Beau Reus. Magnusson was then forced off after a head collision with Kerr and Yan Dhanda entered the fray. Hibs threatened down their left flank with Boyle and left-back Adam Mayor doubling up against Jordi Altena. Mayor’s 16th-minute low cross was sent high over the crossbar by Owen Elding, who ought to have hit the target.

Boyle then levelled the scoreline with composed finish on 18 minutes. He raced in behind the Hearts back line as Elding’s lofted ball bounced through and Reus could not stop the shot as it crossed the goal line via a post. It was no more than Hibs deserved having pressed forward in numbers since falling behind. Those in maroon looked unsettled and knocked out of their rhythm. Their cause was not helped when top goalscorer Miller went down with a suspected hamstring complaint. He was replaced by Sabri Guendouz on 37 minutes. Newell clipped the top of Reus’ crossbar with an attempt from 20 yards in between.

Hibs moved in front minutes before the interval. Newell’s clever move and shot from the second phase after a corner was blocked by Laurent Mendy near the Hearts goal line. McGrath was in place to side-foot an instinctive finish into the net. The away end erupted as those in maroon tried to digest how their lead had been overturned. Losing Magnusson was a factor but they looked shorn of confidence amid their opponents’ aggressive pressing game. Hibs were in command, particularly in midfield.

Braga headed McPake’s cross wide near half-time in what was a good chance to equalise. Hearts started the second half with more aggression. Kerjota released Braga running through on 55 minutes, however Raphael Sallinger was equal to his strike. Boyle sprinted clear down the left again and cut inside Altena for a shot which Reus parried low down. The Dutchman then gathered Marko Ivezic’s header from a corner at the second attempt. As play switched from end to end, Sallinger touched Guendouz’s powerful 18-yard attempt over the Hibs bar.

The Faroese teenager Aron Benjaminsen replaced Kerjota with 10 minutes remaining. He signed from Vikingur Gota in September. Another teen, striker James Wilson, also entered the fray but Hibs stood firm. They introduced defender Grant Hanley to help them see out the game. Braga headed another good opportunity wide and Reus saved brilliantly from Hibs substitute Thibault Klidje before the final whistle sounded.

Here are the Hearts player ratings from Hampden: