Capital kings, EH number 1 or, dare I say it, natural order. The Hibs-Hearts rivalry has come with all manner of catchphrases and put downs in recent years but right now as both clubs sit near the foot of the table without a league win it looks more like capital punishment.
Not for long though. Not in Hibs’ case. I genuinely see shoots of recovery in the Easter Road side that I reckon can finally see them grab bragging rights in Edinburgh at the end of the season. Hibs should always be looking to finish above Hearts, no matter the circumstances, but they’ve been miles off it in the last few years.
However, for the first time since the Gorgie mob’s return to the top flight I genuinely believe this is the season Hibs will get back on top. Let’s be honest, with the way Hearts have started then they’ll never have a better chance. Even if David Gray’s side have only mustered one point more.
I watched Hearts against Plzen and Dundee United last week and they look completely devoid of confidence. Lawrence Shankland’s goals have dried up and they have no threat going forward as a result. Add to that the fact the Tynecastle side have the problem of having to juggle their domestic stuff with European games right up to Christmas and I reckon they’ll struggle to finish in the top three or even four now.
Hibs have to take advantage. I’m seeing green and white shoots of recovery. The signings have been good. The squad looks strong. And I was really impressed with the performance against Kilmarnock on Saturday. David Gray got his tactics bang on.
The three in the middle of the park worked well and Nectar Triantis and Kwon were superb. I know the reaction to Triantis coming back up on loan from Sunderland on deadline day wasn't the most enthusiastic. The highlight of his first loan spell was knocking out his own team mates Joe Newell and Will Fish with one hilarious mistimed free kick.
But the big Aussie was absolutely superb in the holding midfield role on Saturday and very nearly KO’d Killie when he waltzed past three or four players and smashed one off the crossbar. That would have been goal of the season. Beside him Kwon was fantastic. Mykola Kuhkarevych almost scored from the half way line and Joe Newell’s goal was a beauty.
Hibs looked really, really good. But they just can’t hold onto a lead which must have Gray pulling out the few strands of hair he has left. That’s two injury time goals in the last two games that have cost them victories and ultimately four points.
Honestly, when Hibs are going into the closing minutes a goal ahead you’re watching the game through your fingers. At Rugby Park it was another shocking individual error as Jordan Obita came across Bruce Anderson and wiped him out in the box. It’s really basic mistakes and they have to stop now. Other than that though I have really enjoyed watching the last few games.
Forget those back to back defeats to Celtic. I reckon Brendan Rodgers side could go unbeaten domestically all season again and seeing how they tanked Rangers last weekend makes Hibs 3-1 and 2-0 defeats look a good bit more respectable.
I’m positive Hibs are about to climb the table. But they need to beat St Johnstone in the first game after the break. It will get the monkey off the manager’s back, give the fans and the players a boost and some confidence going into the next game against Rangers who have looked anything but impressive themselves.
Eleven summer signings have bolstered Gray’s options and it sounds like they are still scouring the free agent market. That’s good because there’s real gems still to be had. Hearts did it with Zander Clark, Robert Snodgrass and Barrie McKay after the summer window shut in past seasons.
And it’s clear there’s still money in the Easter Road pot to be spent on wages if the right player does come up. Malky Mackay said it himself when he described the Luke McCowan deadline day near miss. They bid £1million according to the sporting director and that would have been one of their most expensive signings ever.
Unfortunately Celtic coming in late blew everyone out the water. I’ve said for months McCowan would be a superb signing for Hibs but as soon as Celtic joined the race they weren’t going to stand a chance. It shows the ambition of the club though. They have money there and want to improve the team and even without McCowan they have done that in the summer window.
Hopefully we see the proof on the park soon.
