Hearts' new cult hero who loves hurting Hibs and why the referee was right - Edinburgh derby talking points

Events at Easter Road yesterday could transpire as one of the most important Edinburgh derby wins in Heart of Midlothian history. Whilst not a memorable performance against the nine men of Hibs, it was a determined and gritty result which edges Hearts another step nearer their first Scottish Premiership title since 1960.

There are several talking points to emerge from the match: Two red cards, Derek McInnes’ substitutions, the Sabah Kerjota factor, and the current Premiership table which shows Hearts three points clear with four games remaining. Ten points would be sufficient to secure the title. First, let’s dissect some of what went on in Leith.

THE KERJOTA FACTOR

This diminutive Albanian just loves hurting Hibs. Introduced as a late substitute in October’s Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle, he promptly slung in a cross for Craig Halkett to score the winner. Sunday’s task was rather more difficult. Hearts were 1-0 down when Kerjota replaced Jordi Altena at half-time. He was soon crossing with his weaker right foot for Lawrence Shankland to flick the equaliser over the line via Warren O’Hora. Then, with only minutes left, Kerjota teased Hibs defender Jordan Obita for the umpteenth time before rolling the ball into the path of Blair Spittal for the winner. Two assists on the day, three in total as a Hearts player. All against Hibs.

McInnes deserves credit for throwing Kerjota in ahead of other wingers like Alexandros Kyziridis and Islam Chesnokov. Ultimately, Kerjota takes the acclaim for a game-changing contribution. He should play more from the start and Hearts fans now see him as something of a new cult hero. Many are confused as to why he doesn’t feature more. All of his 18 appearances in Scotland have been as a substitute. McInnes has explained that he does not always do the defensive side of a winger’s game so well and only comes alive in the final third, hence his absence from the starting line-up. However, if he can light up a game like he did on Sunday, surely stick an out-and-out defender behind him at full-back and let him go on the rampage further forward?

TWO RED CARDS

Raphael Sallinger and Felix Passlack were both ordered off for separate offence by referee Don Robertson. Sallinger caught Stephen Kingsley’s bouncing forward ball before it entered the penalty area and was dismissed for deliberately handling to prevent an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Passlack was cautioned for squaring up to Kingsley late in the first half and then received a second yellow card early in the second period for a high and reckless tackle on Beni Baningime.

Both decisions were correct. Referees can find themselves the centre of attention in derby games for the wrong reasons. Yes, Hibs fans were understandably angry seeing two of their players sent off, but on both occasions Robertson made the right choice - even if he shouldn’t really have needed a VAR touchline review for the first. It should be said that Hearts still struggled to break Hibs down for long spells despite having two extra players, but they got there in the end through Spittal’s winner.

TITLE BELIEF

There are still Hearts fans reluctant to say their team is going to win the league, and that’s perfectly okay. The fear of jinxing everything is only human. However, they are three points clear with only four games remaining. Beat Rangers at Tynecastle next Monday and the Ibrox club’s title challenge will be all but over. Which would then leave Celtic. Hearts still have to play both Glasgow teams, plus Motherwell and Falkirk, but history is now in sight.

There has never been a doubt that McInnes’ squad harbours the required quality to win the league. This was evident very early in the season. What they must do now is hold their nerve and handle the pressure. The circumstances of Sunday’s win showed they can do so. As the second half progressed with the scoreline at 1-1 and Hibs down to nine men, it would have been easy for players or coaches to panic. Everyone in the Hearts camp stayed composed and retained faith that they would find a way to score if they kept proving. Which proved to be the case. Belief is everything right now, and it was central to the result at Easter Road.