World media react to Hibs vs Hearts: Jambo turns national hero, Rangers self destruct and ace's 'bitter' derby

Hibs vs Hearts has got the globe talking after a huge win for the away side at Easter Road on Sunday.

The visitors in maroon emerged 2-1 victors after their hosts were hamstrung by sending offs for Raphael Sallinger and Felix Passlack either side of half-time. Martin Boyle put Hibs ahead before Warren O’Hora’s own goal and Blair Spittal’s effort sealed three huge Hearts points on a day where Premiership title rivals Rangers lost 3-2 against Motherwell.

Celtic have moved into second with victory against Falkirk as Hearts remain three clear of the defending champions, but crucially, now have a four-point lead over Danny Rohl’s side ahead of meeting them next Monday. There are four games to go and fifth-placed Hibs have suffered a blow in their bid to finish fourth. They are six points adrift of Motherwell one place above them, with 12 left to play for, as media across the globe tuned in for a dramatic Edinburgh derby. Here’s how they viewed the clash overseas.

Record Mexico (Mexico)

“PURE STORY! Hearts of the Scottish League could become the first non-Celtic or Rangers team to win the Scottish Premiership since 1984-85.”

Veriu Sport (Albania)

“Thanks to his individual values, passion, work and maximum dedication, Sabah Kerjota quickly stood out on the field of play, becoming the target of football managers, who transferred him to Italian football. But, Italy was a springboard for the Shkodran talent, who in the 2025-2026 season will become part of a well-known team in the Scottish championship, Hearts, where he quickly gained the trust of the technical staff, who gave him considerable minutes, especially in the last three weeks, where he was part of the Hearts formation. In the wake of the quality matches of this phase of the championship, Sabah Kerjota’s performance was fantastic in the challenge of today's evening, Sunday, April 26. Sabah Kerjota's Hearts won 2-1 against Hibernian, leading the Scottish Championship and being the main contenders for the championship title. This case should serve as a motivation and be taken as a model for the talented young people who stand out in this season's teams in AF Vllaznia (Kerjota’s youth academy team), so that they too can follow the path of Sabah Kerjota.”

Zakon (Kazakhstan)

“Last weekend, the 34th round of the Scottish Premier League took place, with Hearts achieving a crucial victory thanks to a strong performance. Kazakhstani midfielder Islam Chesnokov is wearing the club's jersey. For Chesnokov's club, this was the first match in the championship playoff series, where six teams compete in a separate tournament for the title and medals of the Scottish championship. And the first of the five scheduled matches, Hearts played away against Hibernian and managed to beat their opponent in a tough fight.”

Laola 1 (Austria)

“A bitter evening for Austrian national team player Raphael Sallinger! Hibernian goalkeeper was sent off early in his team's 1-2 derby defeat against Hearts of Midlothian. In the 14th minute, Sallinger picks up a ball with his hand at the edge of the penalty area - unfortunately on the wrong side from his point of view - and is therefore rightly sent off with a red card. Shortly before, Boyle had put the Hibs ahead 1-0. The home side managed to defend this lead for a long time, even playing with nine men from the 48th minute onwards, as former BVB player Felix Passlack was sent off. It wasn't until the 65th minute that an own goal by O'Hora levelled the score, and Hearts subsequently pressed forward. Their efforts were rewarded in the final stages: Spittal scored the jubilant winning goal (86th minute). With this win, the visitors consolidate their lead at the top of the table (73 points) and remain three points ahead of Celtic Glasgow (70). Hibs occupy fifth place (51).”

Gazzetta (Greece)

“A big victory for Hearts, who prevailed 2-1 by upsetting Hibernian away from home and are in the running for the Premiership title. The first sign was... Rangers ' self-destruction , losing 3-2 at home to Motherwell. Hearts now had the opportunity to escape to +3 from Celtic and +4 from Rangers and they seized it, as they prevailed 2-1, away from their fellow countrymen, Hibernian , and are in the running for the Premiership title with four games to go!”

Football 360 (Australia)

“There were Australian storylines all over the pitch in a highly consequential Edinburgh derby on Monday morning, with Martin Boyle on the scoresheet and Cammy Devlin on the injury list. The clash between Hearts and Hibernian finished 2-1 in favour of Hearts, a massive result in the context of the Scottish Premiership season as it helped extend Hearts’ lead at the top of the ladder to three points following Rangers’ surprise 3-2 loss at the hands of Motherwell.”

Record Portugal (Portugal)

“Hearts and Braga stage a comeback and remain in the lead in Scotland. Hearts struggled but won this Sunday in their visit to Hibernian, 2-1, and remain top of the Scottish league table, 3 points ahead of Celtic. With Portuguese player Cláudio Braga in the starting eleven, Hearts started losing, conceding an early goal from Boyle (7'), only managing to turn the game around in the second half, playing with two extra players after two players were sent off (14' and 48') from the home team. The winning goals were scored by O'Hora (own goal) and Spittal in the 86th minute.”

Voetbal (Netherlands)

“Thrilling climax in Scotland: Hearts capitalize on Rangers' dropped points. The title race in Scotland has not been as exciting in recent years as it is this season. Rangers FC, Heart of Midlothian, and Celtic all still have a chance at the national championship. Rangers could have done themselves a great favour on Sunday but lost at home to Motherwell in the dying moments, while Hearts took full advantage of the situation.”