Heart of Midlothian

Watch Edinburgh derby highlights as Hibs beat Hearts 2-1 at Tynecastle in the Scottish Premiership.

Hearts head coach Neil Critchley did not recognise his side for large parts of the 2-1 Boxing Day derby defeat by Hibernian. (Not the Old Firm), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

Dwight Gayle's superb first-time finish earned Hibernian a hard-fought Scottish Premiership victory over Edinburgh rivals Hearts at Tynecastle.

The visitors took an early lead through a Kye Rowles own goal following a long VAR check, before a horror own goal from Rocky Bushiri on the stroke of half-time levelled the scores.

The game looked destined to end in a draw after a drab second half, but Gayle rolled back the years with a wonderful goal.

David Gray's side moved up to seventh in the table following their first win at Tynecastle in five years, while Hearts stayed 10th before the rest of the Boxing Day action.

Hearts fans, were you at Tynecastle to watch your side's derby defeat or were you following along from home? Either way, we want your thoughts.

Have your say on the game., external

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

The torrent of Hearts fans heading for the exits towards the end told a story, as did the boos that met the full-time whistle.

Supporters remain unconvinced by Neil Critchley's side and are disenchanted with off-field matters.

Maroon scarves were thrown from the stands in protest at full-time after another uninspiring performance and a loss against their biggest rivals.

Critchley's side had plenty of the ball, but they struggled to carve out chances of note.

It has been said plenty of times before, but their striking lack of pace in forward areas makes them predictable in possession. There is lots of tidy play without much penetration.

At the back, Craig Halkett and Kye Rowles looked shaky. Hibs targeted the Australian centre-back in the air, resulting in the opening goal, and Halkett looked laboured having hurried back from injury.

They had plenty of shots, but Jordan Smith was rarely worried in the Hibs goal. Efforts came from long range or unlikely angles, and youngster James Wilson was isolated up top.

Lawrence Shankland had a wonderful opportunity late on, but he hesitated at the vital moment and that pause allowed Hibs to get back and block the shot.

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Hearts head coach Neil Critchley tells BBC Scotland: "I didn't think we played well enough. Started the game reasonably well, but then concede. We've conceded the first goal on too many occasions. I think that knocked us.

"I don't think we played anywhere near like we're capable of in the first half. We got a bit of fortune with the goal but we were fortunate to be 1-1 at half-time.

"Second half we played better, were in the ascendancy, but then we go and do what we have done on too many occasions - concede a really poor goal. Until we stop that, it's going to stop us building any consistency.

"Dwight Gayle does what Dwight Gayle does, and that's the difference between the two teams. We didn't produce that at one end, and that's why Hibs have won the game.

"We're always looking to try to improve. There's parts of our squad that need reinforcing and that's what we're going to try to do.

"If you want to play for this football club, we need players with the mentality and quality to produce on a regular basis and at the moment we're not doing that.

"I'm still learning a lot about this group from game to game. I'm learning which ones are going to hopefully be coming on the journey long term and the ones who won't be. I think we had too many under-par performances from players today."

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One manager is sampling the Edinburgh derby for the first time, the other is a rookie boss but grizzled veteran of the frenzied fixture from his playing days.

Both Hearts and Hibs go into the Boxing Day showdown at Tynecastle on the back of morale-boosting wins. Hearts lifted some of their European gloom by beating St Johnstone to clamber off the bottom of the Premiership, while Hibs continued their recent resurgence with victory at Aberdeen.

As ever, the stakes are high when the rivals collide.

Hearts head coach Neil Critchley said: "It was vitally important to go into derby with a win after the week we had. It's not been an easy week for all of us and this has given us a lift at the right time.

"I've been visualising the game in my head for a number of weeks, and on Boxing Day I get to experience it.

"That is an incentive, to go above them. The league is very tight and a couple of wins can change things very quickly. We want to back up Sunday's win with another in a big game on Boxing Day, get the crowd behind us."

Hibs boss David Gray has urged his team to embrace the hostile atmosphere in the Gorgie cauldron.

"It's a fantastic fixture for everyone to look forward to, especially off the back of such a positive result," said Gray.

"Games don't come any bigger than this. For a Hibs player to have the opportunity on Boxing Day to go there, a real hostile environment, is something the players should really relish.

"These are the greatest games I ever played in when I had the opportunity to do it. The magnitude of the game will take care of itself and we've given ourselves a right good chance as we go into it full of confidence and belief."

Laurie Dunsire, Jambos fan and Hearts TV lead commentator, expects another taut derby on Thursday and says beating Hibs would be massive for Neil Critchley in winning over the support.

Listen to the Edinburgh derby preview on the Scottish football podcast from 08:00 GMT on 26 December

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Hearts hope to welcome back Beni Baningime after his recent knee issues but Gerald Taylor (knee), Calem Nieuwenhof (hamstring), Stephen Kingsley (hamstring) and Frankie Kent (quad) are still out.

Hibs pair Warren O'Hora (ankle) and Joe Newell (muscle) are hoping to recover from injuries sustained in Saturday's win at Aberdeen.

Attackers Mykola Kuharevich and Rudi Molotnikov could return after missing out recently with groin issues. Marvin Ekpiteta (thigh) and Kieron Bowie (hamstring) are still out.

• Hibs are winless in six Scottish Premiership away games against rivals Hearts (D4 L2) – but their last such win came on Boxing Day in 2019 (2-0).

• Hearts have only lost one of their last 12 Scottish Premiership meetings with Hibs (W4 D7), going down 1-0 in April 2023.

• Excluding own goals, Lawrence Shankland has scored five of Hearts' last nine Scottish Premiership goals against Hibs.

• Hibs have won three of their last five Boxing Day games in the top flight (D1 L1), this after losing five in a row beforehand.

• This is Hearts' first Scottish Premiership game on Boxing Day since 2021, when they beat Ross County 2-1. Hearts last won successive Boxing Day matches in the top flight in 2005/2006.

Andy Campbell
BBC Sport Scotland

Boxing Day kicks off with a festive cracker at Tynecastle as Edinburgh's big two, Hearts and Hibernian, meet for the second time this season.

Last time out, it was 1-1 draw at Easter Road, with Hearts striking late to deny Hibs.

The city rivals have largely struggled this season but both have improved of late, particularly Hibs. David Gray's side left Aberdeen's Pittodrie with all three points on Saturday - their third win in four league games.

Hearts moved off the foot of the table and sent St Johnstone bottom by beating the Perth side 2-1 at home on Sunday. European games may have been a distraction for Neil Critchley's side this season but it is just domestic games from here on in.

Victory for the hosts and they will move above David Gray's Hibs. Should the Easter Road side win, they will increase the gap between the teams to five points. Four of the past five meetings have ended drawn and the last two wins in the fixture have been by a solitary goal.

To save their league season, both teams really need to be pushing into the top six and Thursday's game could be just the springboard if one of them can pick up all three points.

Read all the Boxing Day Premiership picks

Greg Playfair
Fan writer

The one Christmas present some fans want is the news that Ann Budge is stepping down as Hearts chair.

It may seem odd to be bringing up this topic on the back of a victory over St Johnstone and with an Edinburgh derby fast approaching, but the truth is it needs to be discussed given how abjectly poor the season has been.

Last Thursday's defeat by Petrocub is up there with our worst-ever results given the magnitude of what was at stake. We simply had to win at home against the worst side in the competition, who had nothing to play for.

We know all about the players and the fact they need to take responsibility. I said last week Neil Critchley needs to start taking flak, but we have to look up from the pitch to really evaluate what has been going wrong.

Don't get me wrong, there's been an incredible transformation off the pitch in the last 10 years with the new main stand being built, along with a hotel and integration of the women's and girls teams to the club. Revenue has increased from £6m to over £20m in that time too.

However, when you boil down to it, what can Hearts supporters say the team has achieved in that time? Three Scottish Cup final defeats, two spells in European group-stage football – which were both guaranteed from finishing third in the league - and two relegation battling spells, with one ending in the Championship and the other currently ongoing.

I'd say there are three camps of opinion on Budge among the Hearts support.

One vehemently want her out yesterday. You don't have to go far to find opinions on social media, including those who say one of her main flaws is that she doesn't like confrontation and surrounds herself with 'yes people'.

There's then those who are supporters of Budge and call her the 'saviour of Hearts'. They point to the fact it's Budge who has financed Hearts over the last decade, including bringing wealthy people like James Anderson and now Tony Bloom to the table.

The rest of the support, where I'd place myself, is the 'apathetic' group, and arguably the largest. The type of supporters who are turning up to games finding it a chore and going out of habit, rather than expectation. People in this group wouldn't make a compelling case for Budge to go, but wouldn't be grovelling for her to stay.

Regardless of the Edinburgh derby result, Budge's future at the helm of the club is a discussion that needs to be kept open and not forgotten about.

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Hearts boss Neil Critchley talked up "outstanding" Cammy Devlin's part in their 2-1 win over St Johnstone on Sunday.

After starting only three of Critchley's first six games in charge, the 26-year-old has made himself an ever-present in the starting line-up over the past nine matches in all competitions.

The midfielder has won over the supporters as well and was applauded off the Tynecastle pitch on Sunday.

He's been terrific," head coach Critchley said.

"Absolutely outstanding. He covers every blade of grass. The amount of tackles and regains and interceptions he makes is brilliant.

"He's an infectious character. He's so positive. He plays on the front foot. He's a real competitor. I love his attitude and I love the way he plays the game. I'm delighted for him."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Hearts managed to squeeze out an important victory over St Johnstone that moved them off the bottom of the table and they have three players in my Team of the Week.

Adam Forrester was solid throughout. His superb headed clearance from a cross that resulted in him colliding with the post exemplified his overall committed performance.

What a week for James Penrice - three matches and gave away a penalty in each of them. Despite that he makes the Team of the Week for another excellent overall performance. Gives Hearts so much width down the left. A goal as well on his birthday the icing on the cake.

A big win for Hearts as they showed character to seal a vital points, and it wouldn't have happened without Blair Spittal who kept grafting. Great technique to fire home the winner.

Image source, SNS

James Penrice is urging Hearts to use Sunday's victory over St Johnstone to kick on and climb the Premiership table.

The Edinburgh side's 2-1 victory moved them off the bottom of the table and into 10th spot before facing Hibs in the derby on 26 December.

"I think we needed it," the left-back said.

"It sets up a good few games now, so hopefully we can go on a wee run and climb the table.

"The fans have had a reason to be angry that it's not been good enough but I think today [Sunday] you've seen a team that were together, and I think everyone pulled in the right direction.

"I thought the boys were brilliant for the majority of the game.

"I want it to be a successful time, I said that before as well, I want to remember my time when I leave here, and hopefully we can go and put a wee run together now."

Hearts fans, we asked for your views on Sunday's 2-1 win over St Johnstone.

Here's what some of you had to say:

David: Much better performance which hopefully will give the players and fans a lift. Feel for James Penrice who has shone throughout the season but giving away three penalties (rightly or wrongly) in three games is something that has to be addressed. The January transfer window dealings are crucial for the rest of the season.

Chris: I see Neil Critchley thinks we were excellent, is he trying to convince us or him? I think today's game was an improvement but is miles away from "excellent". Cammy Devlin, however, was excellent and Penrice too. Hibs have a lot of talent in the forward areas and should come to Tynecastle confident of a win. We need a little bit of luck.

Kuptin: Any win is welcome just now. The young guys, Adam Forrester and James Wilson, are the least nervous. But Hearts are full of contradictions just now. Devlin is great but only passes the ball sideways. Penrice is obviously the best newcomer but gives away too many penalties. Lawrence Shankland is still good at everything except scoring. It's a hard watch.

Jim: Beating St. Johnstone isn't something normally to crow about but it's a start. Hibs will be tougher but it doesn't hide the fact that we are struggling to score, January is a chance to start the process of building the team, offload players who don't have the right attitude and maybe we can avoid relegation, my hopes are not high.

Anon: At present a win is greatly appreciated and listening on the radio I felt the crowd were behind the team. Let's hope his is the start of our climb away from the relegation zone especially as the noisy neighbours are at our place on Boxing Day.

Anon: A last we played for each other, we played as a team. Let's hope this is a start after a disastrous end in Europe.

John: I think Neil deserves the chance to turn things around as he still has the squad Steven Naismith wanted. I saw four players in the starting 11 who should be playing in the lower leagues never mind being at Hearts. Basic passing should be simple enough but some can't even do that.

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• Blair Spittal has scored three goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no Hearts player has more.

• St. Johnstone have failed to win in their last four games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 24 August 2024 to 6 October 2024, a run of six games.

• St. Johnstone have scored in each of their last three games in the Premiership, scoring four goals in that run.

• St. Johnstone have scored in their last three games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 6 games from 19 October 2024 to 23 November 2024.

Watch the best of the action from Tynecastle as Hearts move off the bottom to be replaced by St Johnstone.

(Available to UK users only)

Charlie Adam, sacked at the weekend by Fleetwood Town, could be a candidate for the Raith Rovers managerial vacancy along with Hearts assistant Liam Fox, Stenhousemuir boss Gary Naysmith, Kelty Hearts' Michael Tidser, plus out-of-work trio Craig Levein, Barry Robson, Kevin Thomson and Gordon Forrest. (The Courier), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Hearts fans must feeling a bit happier after moving off the bottom of the league.

Neil Critchley's side started with real intent, with full-backs James Penrice and Adam Forrester to the fore.

Hibs are up next on Boxing Day.

Share your thoughts on the 2-1 win., external

Hearts head coach Neil Critchley: "I thought we were excellent.

"The players had to show real character, having had a disappointing week, you can't hide behind that.

"Disappointing on Thursday, a big disappointment for the football club but we had to come here and show what we were about today and we played some really good football.

"I was really impressed with our temperament and how we approached the game. In the first half, I think we should have been more than a goal up.

"Some decisions go against you and you think, 'here we go again' and we have to show real strength of character and resilience and we got a fantastic second goal.

"And then there's obviously a little bit of fatigue and you can understand the situation, you know, the players probably hanging on.

"Even though they had possession, it was all in front of us. I don't think Craig Gordon had a save to make, really. So in my opinion, it was a fully deserved three points."

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An eighth successive league win over St Johnstone lifted the mood at Tynecastle following the crushing disappointment of Thursday's Conference League exit.

Penrice grabbed his first goal for the club and the left-back has been a ray of light in a largely bleak season. On the day of his 26th birthday, he was up and down the flank in a whirlwind opening and did not know anything about the penalty he conceded.

Fellow full-back Forrester was good too, matching his colleague's energy in that dominant spell, and making a great headed clearance on his goal-line to prevent St Johnstone from finding a second leveller.

Penrice and Forrester had 17 passes into the final third each, only two shy of Shankland.

Cammy Devlin did the dirty stuff well in the middle of the park but Hearts will want more from their forwards in the forthcoming derby.

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Hearts welcome back Musa Drammeh (ineligible) and Adam Forrester (suspended) after they missed the Conference League draw with Petrocub.

Craig Halkett is battling to shake off an injury that forced him off against the Moldovans while Beni Baningime could be involved, but Gerald Taylor (knee), Calem Nieuwenhof (hamstring), Stephen Kingsley (hamstring) and Frankie Kent (quad) are still out.

St Johnstone will be without Hearts loanee Lewis Neilson, who cannot play against his parent club. Barry Douglas is still out along with Uche Ikpeazu (knee), Cammy MacPherson (hip) and Sam McClelland (Achilles).