Hibernian

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"I'm speechless."

Jack Iredale wasn't the only one left lost for words in Leith when he sensationally struck, what proved to be, the winner in the Edinburgh derby.

On one of his furthest ventures forward at Easter Road, the defender let rip with a rasping, curving cracker to leave Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon without a chance.

"It was probably the highest I got up all day and I thought, if there's a day to score a goal like that, then why not today?," Iredale told club media.

"It's an emotion you can't sum up. It's such a special feeling to be able to share something like that with the club and with the fans as well.

"I'm struggling to describe it at the minute, I'm still a bit speechless, really.

"It's obviously, a massive, massive day, a special day for the club and really happy to be contributing in that way."

Thanks to his contribution, seconds after the full-time whistle peeped, Sunshine on Leith was belted around the ground for the second weekend running, after Celtic were defeated to week prior. And it's a song Iredale won't get sick of.

"It's so special to hear it," he added. "Some of the lads have said that they've gone quite a while without hearing that song, and then, obviously, we've managed to do it twice in a week.

"You'll never get used to something like that."

We asked for your views on Hibs' 2-1 Edinburgh Derby win against Hearts.

Here's what some of you said:

Gordon: Most pleased for Sir David Gray, a true club legend who has taken his leadership skills from the pitch to managing the squad. Simply phenomenal Hibs! While I'm worth, my room on this earth, I will be with you.

Bert: In November I was very critical of the club coach and players. The way that they have responded is heroic, with everyone giving full effort and commitment. Been a Hibee since 1947 and watched the Famous 5 until moving to NZ. Always a Hibs fan.

Neil: Great to see Jack Iredale rewarded for the amount of graft and commitment he puts in, he's been great for us. Totally deserving of the win once we settled into the game and nice not to be the subject of any VAR controversy.

John: Absolutely amazing when compared with the early season form. It's now really exciting football played by a team who all work for each other. Gray and his backroom staff deserve all their success, as do the board for standing by them in the dark ages earlier in the season.

Aidan: It's stunning. Let's make this tremendous run of form count for something at the end of the season. Dare to dream, fellow Hibees!

Daryl: We're definitely in a place now where we could compete and beat anyone, but we're still in a place where anyone can beat us, don't get carried away, don't count your chickens until they hatch.

John: A few nervy moments in the first half but we totally dominated the second 45 and were worthy winners. tis team has a far superior attitude under Gray than of the previous managers of the past few years. Every player gets a pass mark.

Darren: On cloud nine! What a fantastic run we're on. First half to forget but then we bossed them second half and fully deserved the three points with quite a wonderful strike. Proud to be a Hibee.

Gordon: We are a team again. Gray and his team have worked hard to make this happen, and the goals were superb.

Chris: Great result, but the best bit is that we have completely kicked the habit of letting games go in the last 15 minutes. Gray has to take all the credit, there are still a number of players in the squad that were bad recruits but he is getting the best out of a strong starting XI and has made a few inconsistent performers much better.

Martin: Absolutely outstanding, this Hibs team are full of soldiers! Gray has built an unbelievable camaraderie within, 15 games unbeaten and now into third place, great times!

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• Hibernian recorded back-to-back league victories against Hearts for the first time since 2009.

• David Gray's side are now unbeaten in their last 15 matches in all competitions, and have only suffered one defeat in 18.

• Martin Boyle has scored eight goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Hibernian player.

• Hearts have scored in their last six games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of seven games from 21 September 2024 to 2 November 2024.

• Jorge Grant scored his second goal in the Premiership this season, after netting against Kilmarnock on 25 January.

Watch all the highlights as Hibernian edge city rivals Hearts 2-1 in the Edinburgh Derby.

Hibs fans, were you at Easter Road to see your side's derby win over Hearts or were you following along from home?

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Hibs head coach David Gray: "Much more like ourselves second half and on our second-half performance we thoroughly deserve to win the game.

"I thought the first half was a bit edgy, a few individuals a wee bit nervy and we probably didn't execute the gameplan enough.

"We managed to show more composure second half, got the play into wide areas and it really gave us a foothold.

"I was right behind it. It's a fantastic hit and a goal well worthy of winning a derby. It's something that will live with him for the rest of his life. It needed to be a really good strike because Craig Gordon's a top goalkeeper. A special moment for a special game.

"The players need to enjoy these moments and the scenes after the game, the connection that's building all the time. We need to keep moving forwards but it's certainly one for the fans.

"We need to cement a place in the top six. There's not going to be a game between now and the split where there's nothing on it. The quicker we can cement our place in the top six, the more points we can pick up, gives us a real chance to then start moving forwards."

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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The full-time scenes at Easter Road reflected the high everyone associated with Hibs are on just now.

Sunshine on Leith was belted out again with most home fans staying to celebrate with the players, who stood arm-in-arm, soaking it all in.

David Gray's name was also chanted in unison - and little wonder given the scale of the turnaround he has orchestrated.

From the foot of the Premiership to third - the form team in the country, who seem capable of positive results from any position.

They plan to take 7,000 fans to Celtic Park for next weekend's Scottish Cup quarter-final. The fanbase sense something special happening under Gray - and who can blame them?

Against their city rivals, they were below-par in the opening 45 minutes. There were some shaky moments at the back and several passes failed to find their mark against a well-organised Hearts side.

However, this team are not used to being second best and they went up a gear after the break.

Nicky Cadden's delivery from the left has been a feature of this long unbeaten run and he drove standards down that flank, creating two or three opportunities from nothing.

Hibs penned Hearts in their own half and, with just over 15 minutes remaining, they got their just rewards.

Jack Iredale will likely never score a better goal. It was a moment that will live long in the memory for both him and all Hibs fans.

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Hibs head coach David Gray has been named Scottish Premiership manager of the month for February

Gray's side took 10 points from a possible 12 in February, including wins over Aberdeen, Celtic and Dundee United.

Hibs are fourth in the league table before Sunday's Edinburgh derby against Hearts.

"This is very much a reflection on how well the group has done," Gray said.

"It's been a difficult month because of the fixtures we've had, but to have the kind of points return we've had is a reflection of everyone's hard work.

"I'd to thank the players and all the staff for their efforts."

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David Gray is urging Hibs to embrace the pressure of Sunday's Edinburgh derby clash against Hearts.

The capital clubs face off having both recovered from dismal starts to the season - Hibs are unbeaten in 14 while Hearts have lost just one of their last 11 games.

Gray's side were held to a 1-1 draw at Easter Road but narrowly beat Neil Critchley's side 2-1 at Tynecastle on Boxing Day.

"You know what it means to both sets of supporters and you want to be the team on top," the Hibs boss said.

"I know that more than anybody growing up in the city and having played in these games, they're fantastic games to be involved in.

"And now sitting on the other side, as a manager, I'm thoroughly enjoying them as well.

"These are the games you kind of wish you were playing in, to be honest. As a player, I thoroughly enjoyed them and the message to the players is that these are the games you need to look forward to.

"From everything that goes with it this weekend, from where the two teams are, the form they're in, the form we're in, what's at stake for everyone involved, it's a fantastic opportunity, a great game to look forward to."

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• After their 2-1 win on Boxing Day, Hibs could win successive top-fight meetings with rivals Hearts for the first time since May 2009 under Mixu Paatelainen.

• Hearts have only lost one of their last nine away games against Hibs in the Scottish Premiership (W4 D4), a 1-0 defeat in April 2023 under Robbie Neilson.

• Hibs are unbeaten in 12 league games (W8 D4), their longest run in the Scottish Premiership since May 2018 (also 12) – a streak which was ended by a defeat to Hearts (2-1).

• Hearts have won four of their past five league games (L1), including both of their past two. They last won three in a row in the Scottish Premiership in February 2024 (run of six).

• Only Celtic (17) and Aberdeen (12) have had more goals scored by substitutes (excl. own goals) in the Scottish Premiership this season than Hibs (11), who had two such goals against Dundee United last time out.

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Hibernian pair Elie Youan and Dylan Levitt are both back in contention after injury but captain Joe Newell is out.

Hearts midfielder Cammy Devlin is set to remain sidelined with concussion, while defenders Craig Halkett, Stephen Kingsley (both hamstring) and Frankie Kent (quad) are still out.

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Hibs head coach David Gray says his side's impressive form provides a "brilliant opportunity" to finish the Scottish Premiership season on a high and secure European football.

The Easter Road club have put their torrid start behind them with a 14-match unbeaten run and are just one point behind Aberdeen in third.

They take on Edinburgh rivals Hearts on Sunday, who themselves have shot up the table into the top six with a strong run of results.

Hibs won the last meeting of the sides 2-1 at Tynecastle on Boxing Day, and Gray says his team are riding the crest of a wave heading into the much-anticipated derby, having beaten Celtic and Dundee United in their past two matches.

Sunshine on Leith was sung proudly by the Easter Road crowd after the Celtic victory, while the entire squad celebrated with the sizeable away following at Tannadice on Wednesday.

"We're talking about it a lot, that togetherness," Gray said. "A lot of that was built on the poor start, constantly being questioned.

"When you see the scenes - Sunshine on Leith, winning at Tynecastle for the first time in five years was huge, even just the scenes at Dundee United at the full-time whistle. Everybody running directly to the fans, you really feel it.

"We're seeing that in the performances as well - subs coming on and affecting the game. That helps with winning games.

"We can't go into the derby in a better place than we are, but nothing changes in terms of what we need to achieve moving forwards."

Gray won't let his players rest of their laurels though with just five games to go until the split.

"[The run of form has] been brilliant," he said. "We've given ourselves a brilliant opportunity because we've had to go on that run. You look at how tight the table still is, it just shows you how difficult that run is.

"We need to keep moving forward, keep progressing because we've still got a lot to do and there's still a lot of huge games before the split. Once we see where we are, we can start looking up the way from there."

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Hibs boss David Gray has been talking in the build-up to Sunday's Edinburgh derby against Hearts.

Here are the best bits from his news conference:

• Gray says the fine form of both sides is "irrelevant" going into a derby and he is relishing a "fantastic game to look forward to".

• Hibs' 14-game unbeaten run gives them a "brilliant opportunity" to finish the season on a high. Gray wants his team to keep improving and ramp it up in the five matches before the split. He stressed their next target is to catch third-place Aberdeen.

• The Hibs boss is proud of his team for showing their character at Tannadice in midweek to win and and keep fighting to the end having gone a goal down.

• He challenged his players to enjoy the derby and says these are the games you miss after you retire because of the atmosphere and what it means to the city - the memories "live with you forever".

• The team that can be "calm in the chaos" tends to come out on top on derby day. Gray says you have to have the right mentality to thrive in these games.

• He praised Junior Hoilett's professionalism, his "calmness and composure", and says the Canada forward wants to play more minutes but still sets a brilliant example to younger players.

• Eilie Youan and Dylan Levitt have trained and are available for selection. Joe Newell remains sidelined.

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

After horrendous starts to the league season, Hibs stuck by their head coach while rivals Hearts changed theirs. Both strategies appear to have worked.

When the sides drew 1-1 at Easter Road in October, three games after Neil Critchley succeeded the sacked Steven Naismith, they remained tied on points at the foot of the table, with Hibs bottom on goal difference.

Few at the time would have fancied the chances of either finishing the season in third place.

After Hibs won 2-1 at Tynecastle on Boxing Day, Hearts were still stuck in second bottom, while the visitors' win merely lifted them five points clear of the relegation play-off spot, albeit up to seventh.

However, Sunday's derby has switched from being a relegation dogfight into a race to secure a place in the top half, with Hibs having moved up to fourth and Hearts to sixth - for the first time since August - after both enjoyed 3-1 wins in midweek.

Indeed, both will have their sights set firmly on catching an Aberdeen side who have regained third spot after ending a dismal spell of their own but suffered a 5-1 thumping away to leaders Celtic on Tuesday.

Hearts, though, can ill-afford to slip up this time as they head to the other side of Edinburgh Castle, considering they are four points behind Hibs and Dundee United - and a further point adrift of the Dons.

Critchley's side have suffered just one defeat - to second-top Rangers - in 12 outings and are seven unbeaten on the road.

However, David Gray's hosts are on an even more impressive unbeaten run of 14, winning 10 of them, eight of those at Easter Road.

A derby cracker would appear assured after Hibs and Hearts displayed their new-found resilience by coming back from a goal down to beat United and St Mirren, respectively, on Wednesday.

With seven goals in eight games since arriving on loan from Union Saint-Gilloise, striker Elton Kabangu has been instrumental in Hearts' mid-season push and will provide a stern test for the defensive stability that has been the foundation of Hibs' own recovery.

Read all the weekend Premiership picks

Hibs forward Mykola Kuharevich is desperate to score in Sunday's Edinburgh derby at home to Hearts. (Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

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Hibernian have secured an allocation of "up to 7,000 tickets" for their Scottish Cup quarter-final visit to Celtic.

The Easter Road side sold an initial batch of 2,667 for the 9 March tie within five days.

On requesting a bigger share of the match gate during "long discussions", Hibs say they were referred to the Scottish FA handbook, which states "the away club shall be responsible for payment to the home club for all tickets delivered."

A statement confirming the large increase acknowledges the "financial risk" involved and "understanding the demand from our supporters".

Hibs go on to say a general sale will go ahead on a date that is "dependant on when we receive the tickets from Celtic".

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

While Hibs have scored the third-highest number of goals in the Premiership, they have lacked a consistent threat at the top end of the park.

Mykola Kuharevich has flattered to deceive in his second spell at the club, while 35-year-old Dwight Gayle admitted his "body's breaking down" and has spoken of this being his farewell campaign.

There is a shirt to be claimed up front and, with the league race entering the final straight, head coach David Gray might have found his man - Kieron Bowie.

The 22-year-old arrived last summer and made four substitute appearances, scoring once, before getting injured on Scotland Under-21 duty, much to the annoyance of Hibs fans.

They'd seen enough in that short spell to convince them the former Fulham forward could have a big season and now he's finally back fit, he's gone about proving them right.

In one of his first games back, he flicked on a throw-in for Rocky Bushiri to head in the winner against Ayr United and put them through the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

Bowie then made his first start in last weekend's 2-1 win over Celtic. He was an absolute pest to the champions' defence, winning four fouls and battling in 19 total duels, 10 of which were in the air.

Not yet fit enough to start two games in four days, he came off the bench against Dundee United to put Hibs ahead in the 90th minute, before fellow sub Junior Hoilett made sure of the win deep into stoppage time.

It was a fantastic finish too, running on to Nectar Triantis' through ball, sliding to get the shot away, and lashing it into the top corner with venom.

Could Sunday's Edinburgh derby be the perfect stage for Bowie to properly announce himself as Hibs aim to extend a 14-game unbeaten streak?

Of course, Kuharevich also got on the scoresheet against United, with a fine back-post header that levelled the scores at Tannadice. The Ukrainian has just four goals in 14 starts this season and Wednesday night was his first league start since November.

Gayle, who scored the winner at Tynecastle in the Boxing Day derby, also has just four goals, with his last strike coming against St Johnstone on 2 January.

Gray is sure to be tempted to partner Bowie with current captain and top marksman Martin Boyle (seven goals) after their impressive showing at home to Celtic but has mixed and matched his options well during this impressive run.