Hearts win the derby once more with Shankland supreme

The striker had missed an early penalty, as did Hibs not long after, and it seemed the game was heading towards a goalless draw. Until Shankland provided a big moment. The moment.

It is a result which leaves Hearts third, two points ahead of Kilmarnock and eight in front of Hibs.

Hearts tighten grip on third 

This was no vintage derby display from the men in maroon, but try telling that to any of the thousands of away fans who made the short trip to Leith. For long stretches of the game it looked as though the match would end in a draw or worse, but Hearts managed to find a way in the end. 

It’s hard to underline just how big a win this is for Naismith and Hearts. That’s seven wins for Hearts in their last nine league outings, three victories and as many clean sheets in their last three fixtures, and they now have a two-point cushion over Kilmarnock in fourth, as well as a game in hand. 

It was a massive three points that ensured Hearts maintain their momentum heading into the winter break – and also served as Naismith’s first victory in the derby as a manager. 

Good areas, bad choices

Hearts had plenty of opportunities to hurt Hibs at Easter Road during the opening 45 minutes, but the visitors were let down by poor decision-making all too often. Nick Montgomery’s side consistently looked vulnerable to counter-attacks whenever they lost the ball, yet Hearts never pressed home the advantage. 

It wasn’t an uncommon sight to see Alan Forrest, Nathaniel Atkinson, Alex Cochrane or Calem Nieuwenhof bursting forward in acres of space with the Hibs defence at sixes and sevens, but the through ball would never arrive. Throughout the first half, Hearts had at least four opportunities where a player was in on goal, should they only receive the ball - and on each and every occasion, the player in possession picked the wrong option and the move broke down. 

Naismith cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines, and it’s hard to blame him. The Hibs defence was not exactly watertight, especially in transition, and the opportunities were there. Sometimes the man in possession would opt for a short and safe pass, sometimes it was a risky long ball – but whenever the space opened up, more often than not it was the wrong pass. 

Change in shape but same old story

Naismith went back to his tactics board at the break and when his players emerged for the second half, the formation had been switched to a 4-3-3. Stephen Kingsley moved to full-back, Cochrane joined Baningime and Nieuwenhof in midfield, Forrest went to the right, and Barrie McKay came on for Aidan Denholm at left wing. 

Hearts were now sitting a little deeper and the men in maroon were clearly reluctant to press as high up the park as they did during the opening 45 minutes. The result? Now whenever Hearts won the ball back, they usually did so within their own half and with little chance of hitting Hibs on the counter. Before, Naismith’s men’s decision-making let them down when holes opened up in the hosts’ defence. Now Hearts weren’t even afforded the chance to make the wrong call. 

Kenneth Vargas was brought on for Forrest and although the Costa Rican was industrious as ever, clear-cut chances remained few and far between. The on-loan attacker fired narrowly over the bar when presented with a rare sight of goal – and he was hauled down by Dylan Levitt on the one occasion where it looked as though Hearts could actually catch Hibs on the break – but he wasn’t able to turn the game to his side’s advantage. Thankfully for Hearts, though, a certain man wearing No.9 was able to do just that. 

Rare off night... until it wasn't

If there was one person you would consider putting your mortgage on to score from the penalty spot in maroon, it is Lawrence Shankland. Just to score in maroon. Let's face it, you are not staking it on anyone else, not when there is a player who has scored more than the rest of the team combined this season. Yet, from 12 yards the striker saw his effort clip the post on the way wide. His reaction said it all. Disbelief. It was likely mirrored by the nearly 4,000 Hearts fans in the away end.

It set the tone for what was a rare off night for Hearts' talisman, their best player. Shankland was well marshalled by Will Fish and had his pocket picked on a couple of occasions. He played an early ball through to Alan Forrest but when he tried to do the same later in the first half he scuffed it. 

When it came to chances, a couple of times in the first half a corner or cross fell in his vicinity but either he couldn't get it under control or he was crowded out.

It seemed to be one of those nights, especially when he had a shot repelled by David Marshal after the interval. It should be reiterated. It seemed.

Into stoppage time, a long ball from Zander Clark, Shankland bullied Rocky Bushiri, strode into the Hibs box and then, on his left foot, curled a beautiful effort into the top corner. Cue scenes.

Never write Shankland off.

READ MORE: Lawrence Shankland hails Hearts mentality after winner vs Hibs

Atkinson shines

Hearts switched to a back three as Steven Naismith felt it was an area where the team were somewhat vulnerable without Nathaniel Atkinson. Since the Aussie's return he has impressed and shown just why he was missed so much with several players tried in the right wing-back position. He was excellent against Celtic, everywhere against St Mirren and effervescent against Hibs.

 Up against Jair Tavares he went one v one against him numerous times and came out on top. But it's what he gave the team in possession as well, constantly looking to join the attack, offering width but also changing up his position, moving centrally and even popping up on the opposite side of the pitch in forward areas. He has improved under Naismith and definitely enjoys more freedom in his game.

He wasn't the only Aussie who impressed. Kye Rowles continued his fine form. He conceded an early penalty and spent the rest of the game on a booking but made a number of key interventions and looked to move forward with the ball.

Zander Clark

There has been much talk about the Hearts No.1 position following Craig Gordon's return to full fitness. Amongst the fan base there was both a hope and expectation that he would be restored between the sticks at the expense of Zander Clark. However, the club legend has had to make do with a place on the bench. There was a moment against St Mirren when it looked like he would replace Clark in the first half due to an injury with anticipation around Tynecastle Park rising. Clark stayed on and kept his ninth clean sheet of the league campaign.

He's faced some overly harsh criticism this season, at times. Simply because he is not Craig Gordon.

Then, this evening at Easter Road, he produced the biggest moment of his Hearts career so far. Hearts had already missed a penalty when Martin Boyle got one of his own shortly after. Clark dived down to his right, tipping the ball brilliantly onto the post. 

In the second half he came up with a great stop in the second half when he denied Dylan Vente before beating away a Elie Youan strike.

To top it off, he can now claim an assist for the winner.