Remembering the Phil Stamp Edinburgh derby when a surprise figure stole the show for Hearts

A surprise substitute turned the match on its head at Easter Road nearly 18 years ago

One moment in an Edinburgh derby is all it takes for a player to enter Hearts folklore. Think Wayne Foster, think Alim Ozturk, think Graham Weir.

At Tynecastle the derby takes on extra meaning, players quickly realising its importance to the fans and fabric of the club.

It takes just one moment to become associated with a particular encounter and BE remembered, no matter what came before or how little is achieved after.

Phil Stamp celebrates after netting the late winner in the Edinburgh derby in 2002. Picture: SNS

Easter Road. November 2002. Phil Stamp.

A decisive goal by the sturdy Englishman, who resembled a bowler rather than baller when he pitched up in Edinburgh that summer, ensures he is remembered for this derby.

Even though it is for many, it isn’t the Phil Stamp derby.

Hibs were the better team for most of the game. They had gone ahead via a Mixu Paatelainen strike following a corner routine which involved fellow Finn Jarkko Wiss and Ian Murray. They tried their utmost to double the lead after the break with a young Garry O’Connor hustling and bustling in attack.

Stamp fires past Nick Colgan in front of the jubilant Hearts support at Easter Road. Picture: SNS

Yet, Hearts didn’t shirk. They dug in, held on and battled as they have done so many times when these two foes meet.

They were without Mark de Vries, the four goal hero of the 5-1 Tynecastle win earlier that campaign, and required inspiration which had been lacking from the outset.

That player wasn’t Phil Stamp. That player was sitting on the bench.

After 81 minutes of slog, Scott Severin was replaced by a 19-year-old Neil Janczyk.

Neil Janczyk made a telling impact in the 2002 derby. Picture: SNS

What happened next irked Hibs fans, set Hearts fans wild and brought about a ‘what if’ moment.

The playmaking midfielder took just five minutes to provide an impact. He anticipated a long Nick Colgan throw, giving Hearts the chance to intercept and attack. Janczyk wandered forward with the ball at his own pace and in his own time before arrowing the perfect cross, left to right, to meet the big Canadian napper of Kevin McKenna.

It was a cross which deserved a finish and McKenna provided it with a deft header back across goal, clipping the base of the post on its way in.

Better was to follow.

Stamp picked up a second yellow card for his celebrations. Picture: SNS

This time in the middle of the pitch, Janczyk grabbed the ball in midfield and hit the fast forward button. A pass was zipped in to Stamp who moved it on to Weir. Janczyk was already on the move, once again anticipating what was set to happen.

He took the return and caressed the ball into the path of Stamp running beyond the Hibs defence where he fired across Colgan.

The celebrations which followed are still remembered fondly in EH11. Stamp’s decision to celebrate with the fans prompted a second yellow card from Willie Young before being ushered down the tunnel, all the while still gesturing to a less than full but still chaotic away stand.

But it is the cameo from Janczyk which still sticks. A player with composure, intelligence and vision.Close your eyes and imagine a different timeline and you can see him thriving as a playmaking wizard in an Argentine midfield, on his way to yet another Copa Liberatadores.

Alas, he will always have what should be known as the Neil Janczyk derby.