Jamie Murray holds Hibs title hope as he responds to brother Andy's marmite Hearts declaration

Jamie Murray has endorsed Hearts’ bid for the Premiership title - but hopes Hibs take the throne next season.

The tennis legend’s brother, Sir Andy Murray, caused a stir in the build-up to last week’s Edinburgh derby by insisting he wouldn’t mind seeing maroon ribbons on the league trophy. Both Murray brothers are Hibs fans, and their side lost 2-1 at Easter Road on Sunday, as two red cards proved costly. Raphael Sallinger and Felix Passlack were sent off after Martin Boyle’s opener, allowing Warren O’Hora’s own goal and Blair Spittal’s low effort to seal a Hearts win.

Rangers’ defeat against Motherwell ahead of coming to Tynecastle on May 4 means Hearts are four points clear of the Light Blues in third, and three ahead of defending champions Celtic, who sit second. The former tennis doubles number one insists while derby defeat wasn’t great, Hearts winning the league isn’t all that bad for the Scottish game as a whole, albeit he’d prefer Hibs to be in that position.

Who does Jamie Murray want to win the Premiership?

Murray told Sky Sports: “Maybe some Hibs fans won't like me for saying that but I think it's great for the Scottish game. I think there's been so much more interest in the league this year with what Hearts are doing and it being a three-horse race. You kind of have to imagine that for Hearts, this would be their best chance ever to win it, because Celtic and Rangers have struggled so much this season.

“You imagine they will strengthen in the summer and get better. Honestly, I would like to see Hearts win. It was weird watching it on the weekend, obviously, because you are desperate for Hibs still to win. But obviously they got down to nine men and when they scored in the last minute you see all the Hearts fans celebrating. I was like, I don't like that, but actually it was good for the league, I think.

“The exciting thing about the situation is obviously that the league split. So all these teams are going to have to play each other. Motherwell have been great this season as well. They obviously beat Rangers last weekend, but again, Hearts have Rangers this weekend. Rangers need to win to get back to, I think it'll be one point behind Hearts.

What has Andy Murray said about the title race?

“Hearts have still got to play Celtic, Rangers have got to play Celtic, so it's super exciting. I think it's been a great thing for the league this year to have Hearts so competitive and have a great chance of going on and lifting the title. Let's just hope next season it's Hibs that are in that position.”

Former Wimbledon winner Murray said last week: “I mean, I will probably get hammered for this. I personally think it is a good thing for Scottish football if Hearts are able to win. Obviously as a Hibs fan there is such a huge rivalry there but it's been such a long time since... I think it's the 80s maybe (since a team outside Rangers and Celtic won the league)?

“People are asking me a lot about Scottish football and that never really happens. There is obviously a lot of interest in it. I think for Scottish football on the whole it'd be a good thing, but for Hibs Hearts rivalry, it would be disappointing.”