Mark de Vries recalls 'stupid' decision Hibs made in 4-4 Edinburgh derby with Hearts

De Vries had a goal and two assists in the famous clash

Mark de Vries celebrates equalising for Hearts in the 4-4 Edinburgh derby in 2003. Picture: SNS

Ex-Hearts striker Mark de Vries still can’t believe a decision made by Hibs at the end of the famous 4-4 derby at Tynecastle which ultimately cost the Easter Road side two points and bragging rights in the capital.

Speaking to the Scarves Around The Funnel podcast, the Dutchman recalled the part in played in that famous match on January 2, 2003.

Though it would be youngster Graham Weir who would grab the headlines, netting a double after Hibs had taken a 4-2 injury-time lead, de Vries played a significant part, scoring Hearts’ second and assisting Weir for both goals.

He was afforded the opportunity to do so after Hibs made what he called a “stupid” decision from the kick-off after the third. The away side opted to punt the ball into the Hearts half rather than keep possession as time ticked away.

He recalled: “I picked the ball [out of the net] and ran back. There was something about our team, and they made a point of it with The Late, Late Show DVD, we were never beaten until the last whistle.

“They took the restart and they just booted it up front. That was stupid. There was nobody there.

“They made a foul. Roddy McKenzie just put it up front and I let the ball bounce. I put my body between me and the player and then I let it past me and, just before it would go out, I put it back into the box. And Weiry just put it in the back of the net.

“Loved it, by the way.”

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