Heart of Midlothian

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Hearts continued their strong start to the season and left it late to defeat Edinburgh rivals Hibs on Saturday night, they've got two players in my team of the week.

A powerhouse performance in the hurly-burly Edinburgh Derby as Hearts stood strong before striking the killer touch. Craig Halkett finished like a seasoned master-marksman to seal a dramatic victory in stoppage time to send Tynecastle into tumult.

Alexandros Kyziridis has brought electricity to the Hearts attack. Confident in his abilities and gets himself into the right attacking positions. He almost also produced a copy of his spectacular strike against Falkirk. The 25-year-old Greek looks determined to make this a season to remember.

Image source, SNS

Head coach Derek McInnes believes his table-topping Hearts side have yet to hit top gear and still have plenty scope for improvement.

The Tynecastle club kept up their strong start to their Premiership campaign when Craig Halkett's stoppage-time goal secured a 1-0 home win over Edinburgh rivals Hibernian.

Despite sitting two points clear of champions Celtic with six wins and a draw from their seven matches so far, including a 3-0 victory over Falkirk, McInnes hopes his side won't get carried away with their success.

"We have been good enough so far to win games," the Hearts boss said.

"But you have to be honest, a lot of the games have been tight. We're not blowing teams away 4-0.

"This Scottish Premiership is so tight and there's not a lot between a lot of teams.

"If you can get back-to-back wins, never mind four, you can quickly make some hay with that and that's where we're at, so long may it continue. But we've got to recognise that we're going to have to keep improving.

"Everybody's so desperate for success at Hearts, but there's work to be done here.

"We were a bottom-six team last season and it's not just a flick of a switch that makes things better. We're not all that unless we continue to work and try to improve.

"We've got players to come back, we've got a few injured, we've got good players, so it shows you the depth we've got.

"I think we can get improvements from signings and from availability of players."

Manchester City look set to beat Manchester United to the signature of Hearts midfielder Keir McMeekin despite Sir Alex Ferguson and youth team coach Darren Fletcher having made personal pitches to the teenager to join the Old Trafford club next summer after he turns 16 and can move to England for a compensation fee. (Daily Record), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Watch all the highlights from Hearts' stoppage-time Edinburgh derby winner against Hibernian at Tynecastle in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Hearts' dramatic 1-0 win in the Edinburgh derby against Hibernian.

Here's what some of you said:

Calum: So ridiculously chuffed for Craig Halkett. Deserved that more than anybody on the pitch, he was an absolute colossus. Hearts showing they can win the nitty-gritty games with sparse chances is a really encouraging sign.

Paul: Carrying a bit of fortune at the moment, but we'll take it. The game was a typical derby match with so much at stake, so no slick football being played. Grit and determination were to the fore.

Chris: Not a great game of football, Hibs were either taking an eternity to restart the game or hoofing it up the park and we let them dictate the pace. I thought we needed substitutions much earlier but it all fell into place at the end. The game was destined to finish 0-0 but for a fantastic cross and finish from Halkett. He's surely touching distance from a Scotland recall?

Steve: So grateful for the three points, and what a way to win the derby. Oisin McEntee needs to be playing midfield, we completely lack pace there with Cammy Devlin and Beni Baningime, but our forward options look great. Need a quality right-back signed and Halkett needs his contract extended. Anything is possible.

Mark: At the end of the day, no matter how scrappy the game was or how much of a "typical derby" it was, Hearts came away with a result. As Derek McInnes said we will take each game as it comes and that is it. Watching the match I felt that we rode out the storm well and dug in. Apart from Martin Boyle, Hibs looked average and we will come up against better teams than them this season, but all we do is stay focused and put 100% into each game we play. I do think we have the strength in depth to at least mount a challenge and be up there into the new year.

Mike: Not a great game, but derbies seldom are. Halkett capped a fine performance with the goal. Devlin was everywhere, our front three a little subdued. Really important to keep the momentum going and great to produce another clean sheet.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Derby hero Craig Halkett says Hearts are full of confidence after stretching their lead at the top of the Premiership but are not yet thinking about the upcoming visit of champions Celtic.

The defender knocked in his fourth goal of the season in stoppage-time to settle what had been a grim, weather-affected contest with Edinburgh rivals Hibs at Tynecastle.

A sixth win in seven league outings takes them five points clear of Celtic, who host Motherwell on Sunday.

"If it had finished 0-0, I don't think there would have been too many arguments," the centre-half told BBC Scotland. "But to go and get a last minute one like that in the derby, it's unbelievable.

"The conditions were tricky. As a defence, we probably dealt with a wee bit more directness than what we thought we were going to get from Hibs, but thankfully we got the clean sheet and the three points."

Hearts go into the international break on the back of three successive wins and will host Celtic on 26 October - after a visit to Kilmarnock, who moved up to third place with a win over St Mirren on Saturday.

"Confidence in the group is at a high at the moment," added Halkett. "The clean sheet is massive for myself and the boys at the back.

"It's something that the manager demands every week. He talks about how important they are. If we can get clean sheets, it gives us a platform to go and trust the boys that we've got at the top end of the pitch.

"Obviously we're at the top of the league, but it's not something we're looking at. We're only seven games into the season.

"It's a good place to be but when we come back, we know we're going to need to work hard because we've got Kilmarnock, who are doing really well.

"I don't think anybody can be looking at the Celtic game just now, it's all eyes on Kilmarnock."

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Hearts match-winner Craig Halkett tells Premier Sports: "What a feeling. What a way to get your first goal in an Edinburgh derby. It makes you forget about the last couple of years."

Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland tells Premier Sports: "It was scrappy at times. We needed to keep digging in there. I was right behind the big man [when he scored], buzzing for him."

Craig Halkett sparked bedlam at Tynecastle with an added-time Edinburgh derby winner against Hibernian to ensure Hearts will go into the international break top of the Scottish Premiership.

Read the match report.

Have your say here.

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "We're only seven league games in but we've had three last-minute winners, which says a lot about the team, the squad depth, the mentality.

"It was a lovely cross and [scorer Craig] Halkett put in a proper performance today. We get our reward for perseverance. We managed to come up with a winning goal, which sent the place berserk.

"We're trying to win games of football so why should the fans not be excited? We've got good players and there's not much wrong at the minute. All we have to do is concentrate on the job at hand and win games.

"It's difficult to get back-to-back wins but we've managed that and it's elevated us to the top of the table."

Image source, SNS

Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon is back in contention, while Christian Borchgrevink (illness) and Calem Nieuwenhof (hamstring) are also pushing for a return, but Ageu (hamstring), Frankie Kent (knee), Ryan Fulton (groin) and Finlay Pollock (hamstring) are still out.

Hibs boss David Gray will make a late call on the fitness of Miguel Chaiwa (hamstring) and Jamie McGrath (Achilles) after they picked up injuries against Celtic last week.

Rocky Bushiri returns after missing out due to a personal matter last weekend but Joe Newell (groin), Elie Youan (ankle) and Alasana Manneh (hamstring) are still out.

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Derek McInnes is relishing his first Edinburgh derby as head coach and will be highlighting the importance of Saturday's game against Hibs to Hearts' new players.

But he will also be stressing the importance of not getting caught up in the atmosphere and keeping "11 men on the pitch".

Hearts lead the Scottish Premiership by two points, but McInnes says fans are "crying out" for a derby win at home, with Hibs having not lost in four visits to Tynecastle.

"I've been at loads of Edinburgh derbies over the years, in the heart, soul and mind, and watching the game as a manager, watching the game just as a spectator," he said.

"I think everybody enjoys the noise, the matchday experience, but for us on the professional side of it, it's about enjoying winning and it's important that we just focus on that.

"The game will take care of itself in terms of the atmosphere, the motivation part of it. We probably just need to make sure we keep the lid on the emotion on that side.

"It's important that we keep discipline, 11 men on the pitch. But we're not going to try and dilute it - we want to promote these types of games and it's a brilliant game we've been involved in and obviously I'm looking forward to it as much as the players."

McInnes thinks everyone at Tynecastle is "well aware of the importance" - and not just for league points - and would be showing any of his new players clips of previous derbies so they know what a "brilliant game" they have in store.

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Hearts defender Harry Milne has signed a one-year contract extension after impressing manager Derek McInnes with his attitude and ability.

The on-form 28-year-old has scored one goal and delivered four assists in 10 appearances this season after being restricted to just three outings in the second half of last term following his January move from Partick Thistle on an 18-month deal.

Milne, who has seized his chance after the summer exit of fellow left-back James Penrice, has also shown versatility by playing at right midfield in Hearts' past two matches.

He is now tied down until summer 2027 as table-topping Hearts prepare to face Hibs in the Edinburgh derby on Saturday.

"It's great news and really keeps the positivity flowing ahead of a big game this weekend," McInnes said.

"Harry has been first class since I came into the club. He gives his all on the pitch, he's eager to learn and I think the fans have really taken to him.

"What pleases me is that there is even more to come from him, so to get his future sorted is fantastic for everybody."

Image source, SNS

Former Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson is relishing the prospect of a "real barnstormer" Edinburgh derby where the Tynecastle hosts can make "a big statement" about their ability to maintain a challenge at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Derek McInnes' side host Hibernian with the possibility of moving five points clear of reigning champions Celtic - and 12 ahead of Rangers - before the Glasgow duo play on Sunday.

Neilson has played for and managed Hearts teams who have made the early running before falling back and says the key is whether they can find the consistency through November to January "where the real title challenge will either come or go".

"It is a massive game from both clubs' perspective, but especially from Hearts because they get that opportunity to go five clear of Celtic but also well clear of Rangers," Neilson told BBC Scotland's Scottish Football Podcast.

"That would start to put massive pressure on both these clubs - that they have to go into their games on Sunday and have to win.

"If they go to 12 points, it gets to the stage where Rangers are relying on other teams to beat Hearts.

"They are in a brilliant position and tomorrow could be a big statement."

Like their city rivals, Hibs are unbeaten in the league, albeit five draws out of six leaves David Gray's side eight points behind in sixth.

"I think tomorrow will be a real barnstormer and I'm really looking forward to it," Neilson, currently assistant at Belgian club Lommel said.

"I think it will be top level, because both teams have got goals in them - both got good strikers.

"Obviously Bowie and Shankland are doing well for both teams, but they also have a lot of creative players and they've both got a lot of options from the bench.

"I can see the game twisting and turning as they go along. I don't see anyone really dominating it."

Image source, SNS

• Both sides have scored in six of the past seven Edinburgh derbies in the Scottish Premiership, with the exception a 1-0 Hearts win in December 2023.

• Hibs have won their past two Scottish Premiership games against Hearts – as many as their previous 15 beforehand (W2 D8 L5).

• Hearts have won nine of their past 10 league games (D1), also scoring 2+ goals in nine of those matches, including their latest six in a row.

• Hibs have drawn seven of their past eight league games (W1), including each of their latest five in a row. Before this, Hibs had only drawn six of their previous 25 in the Scottish Premiership (W14 L5).

• Hearts boss Derek McInnes has never lost as a manager at home to Hibs in the top flight in 15 previous fixtures (W8 D7). His last four (all with Kilmarnock from 2023 to 2025) have all been drawn, though.

Image source, SNS

Hearts midfielder Cammy Devlin has been recalled to the Australia squad for the first time since Tony Popovic became head coach last year.

The Sydney-born 27-year-old, who has four caps for the Socceroos, has been in excellent form this season for the Edinburgh side, who currently lead the Scottish Premiership.

Devlin's inclusion is one of eight changes to Popovic's squad for friendlies against World Cup hosts Canada in Montreal on 11 October and the United States four days later in Colorado.

Hibernian forward Martin Boyle retains his place along with right-back Lewis Miller, who moved from the Leith club to Blackburn Rovers this summer.

Devlin will compete for a place in central midfield with Dundee-born Alex Robertson.

The 22-year-old, who has represented both Australia and England at youth level and had a loan spell with Ross County, has been called up for the first time since October 2023 after being approached by Peru to train with them.

Australia are unbeaten in 10 matches under Popovic.

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Stephen Kingsley says "strength and depth is the biggest change" at Hearts this season as Derek McInnes' side aim to stay top of the Premiership with derby victory this weekend.

Hearts, who were seventh last term, are two points clear of defending champions Celtic before this season's first meeting with Hibs.

"If you're the one on the pitch and you need to make sure you keep it, it's up to yourself," said defender Kingsley.

"That's always been the case. No different this year, it's just obviously a lot more bodies in the squad but if you train hard and make sure you're right and you get that chance then it's up to you, it's up to yourself.

"The strength and depth is probably the biggest change, biggest difference from now to previous seasons. This year, we've obviously got a bigger squad, padded it out with quality."

Summer arrivals including Stuart Findlay, Claudio Braga and Alexandros Kyziridis are among those set for their first taste of the Edinburgh showdown on Saturday.

"I don't think we need to tell them much," said Kingsley. "We can obviously pass on our experience and give them a little insight into what it's going to be like but they need to prepare themselves mentally for the challenges ahead.

"It is different from any other game but the focus needs to be on what we are looking to do and just be focusing on ourselves and not really bother too much about them and not get caught up in the occasion.

"But naturally it's hard to do when you come into these situations, the noise of the crowd, the atmosphere and everything.

"Everything's on Hibs just now and that's the next challenge for us. It's a massive one, it's one we know is going to be tough, we know their strengths so it's one we're fully prepared for that and we're not getting caught up in anything that's been said outwith them."

Colin Moffat
BBC Sport Scotland

When Edinburgh's big two meet at Tynecastle on Saturday, Hearts will be aiming to maintain their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Hibs are looking to make it three successive derby wins for the first time in over 100 years.

Both sides are unbeaten on league duty so far but Hearts are way ahead with five wins and one draw, to Hibs' one win and five draws.

Last term, Hibs had the upper hand, winning twice and drawing the other derby on the way to third place. The visitors are unbeaten in four of these contests and have lost just once in the past eight meetings.

Derek McInnes is yet to lose over 90 minutes since taking over as Hearts head coach, with the only disappointment in 11 games being a League Cup penalty shootout loss to St Mirren.

This will be his first taste of the derby but he does a positive record against Hibs from his time at St Johnstone, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock, winning 18 of his 39 games and losing 10.

McInnes has yet to get the better of David Gray though, after two draws and a defeat last season with Killie.

Hibs boss Gray went unbeaten in the derby in his debut campaign and did not meet Hearts or McInnes in his three short interim spells. As a player, he enjoyed three victories over his boyhood team and suffered two defeats, with just two of those 10 fixtures in the top flight.

Hearts tend to get the ball forward quicker and have outscored Hibs by 15 to 10 in the league.

The hosts just shade attempts on goal (94-89) and efforts on target (38-34), although Hibs were ahead on both counts before last weekend before they drew 0-0 at champions Celtic and Hearts scored three from 20 shots against Falkirk.

Hearts are significantly ahead on touches in the opposition box (200-159) and have had more success from set-pieces, scoring from corners four times and twice from free-kicks, which is double Hibs' output.

Those of a maroon persuasion have certainly had more to smile about this season and have by far the better overall record since these city rivals first met on Christmas Day 1875.

However, derby bragging rights are all about recency and home fans will be ecstatic if they go 11 points clear of their neighbours seven games in, while those in green and white will be partying like it's 1922 if they can equal that long ago three-in-a-row.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

After the hugely impressive win over Falkirk, Hearts' full focus turns to a Saturday evening blockbuster against Hibs at Tynecastle.

Derek McInnes and his players could hardly go into this opening derby of the season in better form.

The only Premiership blip was the 3-3 draw at home to Motherwell, but the manner in which Hearts salvaged a point was from three down with less than half an hour to play showed admirable fighting spirit.

This derby has extra significance for a number of reasons. Hearts have won only one of the past eight matches against their city rivals, and their last victory over Hibs at Tynecastle was almost three years ago.

But with the team now flying high at the top of the table and playing arguably the best style of football the fans have witnessed for years, there is much more expectancy now from the stands.

The club have invested heavily in the squad and that is paying dividends early on.

For some of this squad, Saturday will be their first experience of the Edinburgh derby and the importance it carries for everyone at the club.

There are plenty of staff, however, who have been at Tynecastle long enough to ensure there will be no surprises about what to expect.

Gary Locke played in 13 of these matches and never tasted defeat. It would be no surprise if Derek McInnes drafts Locke into the dressing room before Saturday evening's match.

The players will be left in no doubt about what it takes to be a winner in an Edinburgh derby.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Alexander Schwolow has been surprised by the "intensity" of the Scottish Premiership since the 33-year-old goalkeeper signed for Hearts this summer after leaving Union Berlin.

But the German will be hoping Saturday's derby with Hibernian goes more smoothly than the one he experienced playing for Schalke away to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga three years ago.

"Crazy, crazy game - 80,000 spectators in Dortmund," he said of the 1-0 defeat in the biggest derby of his career so far.

"The fans were blocking us to come into the stadium with our bus. Also, the police were not perfectly escorting us. It took ages.

"We just arrived, I think, 56 minutes before the game starts. It just changes your routine before the game."

Schwolow is relishing the prospect of another "special" derby experience and reckons the Scottish top flight is a better watch than his homeland's.

"I would say the Bundesliga, for example, is more tactical," he said. "But here it's just counter-attack after counter-attack.

"I'm very impressed how physically strong everybody is and how much they can run."

Schwolow faces additional competition for a starting place now that Scotland number one Craig Gordon is nearing fitness for the first time this season.

"We just try to push ourselves, push each other and I think competition makes you better in the long term," he said.

"I always had it in my career and I think that's a good thing."

As Edinburgh rivals Hearts and Hibs prepare to meet on Saturday for the first time this season, watch the best of the action from the previous derby last term as Jack Iredale's stunning strike secures a 2-1 home win at Easter Road. (Available to UK users only)

Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts warmed up for Saturday's Edinburgh derby against Hibernian with a 6-0 defeat of Falkirk in a closed doors game. (Sun), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip