Andy Halliday urged Hearts to remember “how far we’ve come” after his double secured third place and condemned Edinburgh rivals Hibernian to the Scottish Premiership bottom six.
Drey Wright gave Hibs a dream start at Tynecastle, but Halliday scored either side of Stephen Kingsley’s goal.
Victory is a huge marker for Hearts seven days before the pair meet at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-final.
“We’ve got to reflect on what has been a brilliant 12 months,” said Halliday.
“It’s an amazing dressing room. We’ve added to it, not just with good footballers but good characters.
“I’ve played a lot of derbies, but when you look to your left and right, you want characters next to you.”
Hearts, who were in the Championship last season, can now finish no lower than third and could confirm group-stage European football should they beat Hibs next weekend.
That game offers Hibs a last hope of European football, after a sixth league game without a win for Shaun Maloney’s side dropped them to seventh in the table, 19 points behind their Edinburgh rivals.
While no Hearts fan would ever tell you an Edinburgh derby does not matter, there was more on the line for those clad in green and white with a place in the top six at stake.
That added hunger told as Hibs raced into an early lead, with Wright cutting inside and squeezing a shot into the net, aided by a slight nick off a Hearts defender.
The afternoon appeared to be going their way as they continued to have the better of it in Gorgie, and they could have been further ahead.
Wright had another effort deflected wide before Elias Melkersen twice found himself in possession in the box but could not get a shot away.
Hearts were reeling and being tactically outdone. But they found their feet and a flurry in front of goal brought two huge chances.
A brilliant through ball from Barrie McKay sent Ellis Simms clear, but his lob over goalkeeper Matt Macey dropped the wrong side of the post.
McKay then whipped in a cross for Nathaniel Atkinson, who headed off the upright.
Halliday fired two wild shots over, but when he got a third opportunity he made no mistake as Hearts levelled. Simms somehow held on to the ball despite the challenge of two Hibs defenders, slipped it into the path of Halliday, and he stroked a finish into the far corner.
Hearts had started slowly, but their momentum carried into the second half and within two minutes they were ahead when Kingsley knocked Pater Haring’s cross into the net at the back post.
They continued to stamp their authority on the game. Simms’ looped header bounced just wide, before Hibs were cleaved open again.
McKay played a delightful pass towards Halliday, who drove forward and thumped the ball low from outside the box and into the corner.
Hibs were in disarray. Hearts looked like they could score as many as they wanted. McKay lifted a free-kick over and Alex Cochrane slammed a shot into the side-netting.
They did not add to the scoreline, but the damage had been done with Hibs’ entire season now resting on next week’s Hampden showdown.
Man of the match – Barrie McKay
What did we learn?
It appeared Hearts manager Robbie Neilson had blundered with his formation as Hibernian dominated the opening and didn’t let the hosts have a sniff.
Maloney’s side chased and harried, pressed Hearts’ back three high up the park, and Hearts couldn’t get forward.
McKay was rarely on the ball early on, but once the winger began to receive the ball, Hearts’ fortunes changed and they had big chances long before Halliday finally got them level.
What will worry Maloney before the Hampden meeting between these two is how quickly his side wilted. After a promising start, they created little, with Wright’s early goal their only shot on target.
Struggling for form and goals – they have hit the net just three times in their past six league games – they now face another Edinburgh derby in seven days that they simply must not lose.
What did they say?
Hearts manager Robbie Neilson: “It’s a good performance and it’s great to get the three points and secure third place after just being promoted.
“Andy Halliday thrives in these environments. The opposition fans go after him, the pressure of playing in the big games, but he’s a real top player and he showed it again.”
Hibernian manager Shaun Maloney: “What we gave and what we showed in the second half was completely unacceptable and that’s why Hearts were so dominant in the second half.
“There were moments when we were 1-0 up when we didn’t have the quality or intensity to actually take the opportunity. We have a lot of work to do between now and next week, and a hell of a lot to do before next season.”
What’s next?
These two meet again next Saturday at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-final (12:15 BST), and will learn their Scottish Premiership post-split opponents in the coming days.
Player of the match
HallidayAndrew Halliday
with an average of 8.34
Heart of Midlothian
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Squad number16Player nameHalliday
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Squad number18Player nameMcKay
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Squad number3Player nameKingsley
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Squad number19Player nameHalkett
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Squad number10Player nameBoyce
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Squad number20Player nameSimms
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Squad number12Player nameAtkinson
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Squad number8Player nameMcEneff
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Squad number17Player nameCochrane
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Squad number5Player nameHaring
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Squad number21Player nameSibbick
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Squad number1Player nameGordon
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Squad number15Player nameMoore
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Squad number30Player nameGinnelly
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Squad number11Player nameMackay-Steven
Hibernian
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Squad number2Player nameClarke
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Squad number1Player nameMacey
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Squad number11Player nameNewell
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Squad number8Player nameWright
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Squad number27Player nameCadden
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Squad number3Player nameDoig
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Squad number34Player nameMelkersen
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Squad number4Player nameHanlon
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Squad number22Player nameDoyle-Hayes
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Squad number14Player nameMueller
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Squad number33Player nameBushiri
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Squad number32Player nameCampbell
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Squad number20Player nameJasper
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Squad number80Player nameHenderson
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Squad number25Player nameScott
Line-ups
Hearts
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 1Gordon
- 21Sibbick
- 19Halkett
- 3Kingsley
- 12AtkinsonSubstituted forMooreat 83′minutes
- 5HaringBooked at 70mins
- 16HallidaySubstituted forMcEneffat 68′minutes
- 17Cochrane
- 10Boyce
- 18McKaySubstituted forGinnellyat 88′minutes
- 20SimmsSubstituted forMackay-Stevenat 88′minutes
Substitutes
- 8McEneff
- 9Woodburn
- 11Mackay-Steven
- 13Stewart
- 15Moore
- 30Ginnelly
- 44Kirk
Hibernian
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 1Macey
- 33BushiriBooked at 71mins
- 4Hanlon
- 3DoigSubstituted forScottat 60′minutes
- 27Cadden
- 22Doyle-HayesBooked at 45minsSubstituted forHendersonat 70′minutes
- 11Newell
- 2Clarke
- 8WrightSubstituted forCampbellat 38′minutes
- 14MuellerBooked at 57mins
- 34MelkersenSubstituted forJasperat 60′minutes
Substitutes
- 16Stevenson
- 20Jasper
- 21Dabrowski
- 23Allan
- 25Scott
- 30Hauge
- 32Campbell
- 36Delferriere
- 80Henderson
- Referee:
- Nick Walsh
- Attendance:
- 19,041
Live Text
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Match ends, Heart of Midlothian 3, Hibernian 1.
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Second Half ends, Heart of Midlothian 3, Hibernian 1.
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Foul by Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian).
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Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Offside, Heart of Midlothian. Stephen Kingsley tries a through ball, but Josh Ginnelly is caught offside.
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Gary Mackay-Steven (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Joe Newell (Hibernian).
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Attempt blocked. Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Alex Cochrane.
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Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Gary Mackay-Steven replaces Ellis Simms.
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Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Josh Ginnelly replaces Barrie McKay.
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Taylor Moore (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Joe Newell (Hibernian).
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Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Taylor Moore replaces Nathaniel Atkinson because of an injury.
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Attempt missed. Sylvester Jasper (Hibernian) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Joe Newell.
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Foul by Aaron McEneff (Heart of Midlothian).
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Joe Newell (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Peter Haring (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Dangerous play by Ewan Henderson (Hibernian).
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Attempt missed. Alex Cochrane (Heart of Midlothian) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is close, but misses to the left.
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Attempt missed. Barrie McKay (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left from a direct free kick.
Andy Halliday scored twice as Hearts fought back to beat HibernianAndy Halliday urged Hearts to remember “how far we’ve come” after his double secured third place and condemned Edinburgh rivals Hibernian to the Scottish Premiership bottom six.Drey Wright gave Hibs a dream start at Tynecastle, but Halliday scored either side of Stephen Kingsley’s goal.Victory is a huge marker for Hearts seven days before the pair meet at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-final.”We’ve got to reflect on what has been a brilliant 12 months,” said Halliday.”It’s an amazing dressing room. We’ve added to it, not just with good footballers but good characters.”I’ve played a lot of derbies, but when you look to your left and right, you want characters next to you.”Hearts, who were in the Championship last season, can now finish no lower than third and could confirm group-stage European football should they beat Hibs next weekend. That game offers Hibs a last hope of European football, after a sixth league game without a win for Shaun Maloney’s side dropped them to seventh in the table, 19 points behind their Edinburgh rivals.Reaction & how it happenedWhile no Hearts fan would ever tell you an Edinburgh derby does not matter, there was more on the line for those clad in green and white with a place in the top six at stake.That added hunger told as Hibs raced into an early lead, with Wright cutting inside and squeezing a shot into the net, aided by a slight nick off a Hearts defender.The afternoon appeared to be going their way as they continued to have the better of it in Gorgie, and they could have been further ahead.Wright had another effort deflected wide before Elias Melkersen twice found himself in possession in the box but could not get a shot away. Hearts were reeling and being tactically outdone. But they found their feet and a flurry in front of goal brought two huge chances.A brilliant through ball from Barrie McKay sent Ellis Simms clear, but his lob over goalkeeper Matt Macey dropped the wrong side of the post. McKay then whipped in a cross for Nathaniel Atkinson, who headed off the upright.Halliday fired two wild shots over, but when he got a third opportunity he made no mistake as Hearts levelled. Simms somehow held on to the ball despite the challenge of two Hibs defenders, slipped it into the path of Halliday, and he stroked a finish into the far corner. Hearts had started slowly, but their momentum carried into the second half and within two minutes they were ahead when Kingsley knocked Pater Haring’s cross into the net at the back post. They continued to stamp their authority on the game. Simms’ looped header bounced just wide, before Hibs were cleaved open again.McKay played a delightful pass towards Halliday, who drove forward and thumped the ball low from outside the box and into the corner.Hibs were in disarray. Hearts looked like they could score as many as they wanted. McKay lifted a free-kick over and Alex Cochrane slammed a shot into the side-netting.They did not add to the scoreline, but the damage had been done with Hibs’ entire season now resting on next week’s Hampden showdown.Man of the match – Barrie McKayIn the week Barrie McKay (right) extended his deal he was excellent for Hearts. The more he got on the ball, the better Hearts playedWhat did we learn?It appeared Hearts manager Robbie Neilson had blundered with his formation as Hibernian dominated the opening and didn’t let the hosts have a sniff.Maloney’s side chased and harried, pressed Hearts’ back three high up the park, and Hearts couldn’t get forward.McKay was rarely on the ball early on, but once the winger began to receive the ball, Hearts’ fortunes changed and they had big chances long before Halliday finally got them level.What will worry Maloney before the Hampden meeting between these two is how quickly his side wilted. After a promising start, they created little, with Wright’s early goal their only shot on target.Struggling for form and goals – they have hit the net just three times in their past six league games – they now face another Edinburgh derby in seven days that they simply must not lose. What did they say?Hearts manager Robbie Neilson: “It’s a good performance and it’s great to get the three points and secure third place after just being promoted.”Andy Halliday thrives in these environments. The opposition fans go after him, the pressure of playing in the big games, but he’s a real top player and he showed it again.”Hibernian manager Shaun Maloney: “What we gave and what we showed in the second half was completely unacceptable and that’s why Hearts were so dominant in the second half. “There were moments when we were 1-0 up when we didn’t have the quality or intensity to actually take the opportunity. We have a lot of work to do between now and next week, and a hell of a lot to do before next season.”What’s next?These two meet again next Saturday at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-final (12:15 BST), and will learn their Scottish Premiership post-split opponents in the coming days.Player of the matchHallidayAndrew Hallidaywith an average of 8.34Heart of MidlothianSquad number16Player nameHallidaySquad number18Player nameMcKaySquad number3Player nameKingsleySquad number19Player nameHalkettSquad number10Player nameBoyceSquad number20Player nameSimmsSquad number12Player nameAtkinsonSquad number8Player nameMcEneffSquad number17Player nameCochraneSquad number5Player nameHaringSquad number21Player nameSibbickSquad number1Player nameGordonSquad number15Player nameMooreSquad number30Player nameGinnellySquad number11Player nameMackay-StevenHibernianSquad number2Player nameClarkeSquad number1Player nameMaceySquad number11Player nameNewellSquad number8Player nameWrightSquad number27Player nameCaddenSquad number3Player nameDoigSquad number34Player nameMelkersenSquad number4Player nameHanlonSquad number22Player nameDoyle-HayesSquad number14Player nameMuellerSquad number33Player nameBushiriSquad number32Player nameCampbellSquad number20Player nameJasperSquad number80Player nameHendersonSquad number25Player nameScottLine-upsHeartsFormation 3-4-2-11Gordon21Sibbick19Halkett3Kingsley12Atkinson5Haring16Halliday17Cochrane10Boyce18McKay20Simms1Gordon21Sibbick19Halkett3Kingsley12AtkinsonSubstituted forMooreat 83’minutes5HaringBooked at 70mins16HallidaySubstituted forMcEneffat 68’minutes17Cochrane10Boyce18McKaySubstituted forGinnellyat 88’minutes20SimmsSubstituted forMackay-Stevenat 88’minutesSubstitutes8McEneff9Woodburn11Mackay-Steven13Stewart15Moore30Ginnelly44KirkHibernianFormation 3-4-2-11Macey33Bushiri4Hanlon3Doig27Cadden22Doyle-Hayes11Newell2Clarke8Wright14Mueller34Melkersen1Macey33BushiriBooked at 71mins4Hanlon3DoigSubstituted forScottat 60’minutes27Cadden22Doyle-HayesBooked at 45minsSubstituted forHendersonat 70’minutes11Newell2Clarke8WrightSubstituted forCampbellat 38’minutes14MuellerBooked at 57mins34MelkersenSubstituted forJasperat 60’minutesSubstitutes16Stevenson20Jasper21Dabrowski23Allan25Scott30Hauge32Campbell36Delferriere80HendersonReferee:Nick WalshAttendance:19,041Live TextMatch ends, Heart of Midlothian 3, Hibernian 1.Second Half ends, Heart of Midlothian 3, Hibernian 1.Foul by Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian).Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Offside, Heart of Midlothian. Stephen Kingsley tries a through ball, but Josh Ginnelly is caught offside.Gary Mackay-Steven (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the left wing.Foul by Joe Newell (Hibernian).Attempt blocked. Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Alex Cochrane.Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Gary Mackay-Steven replaces Ellis Simms.Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Josh Ginnelly replaces Barrie McKay.Taylor Moore (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Foul by Joe Newell (Hibernian).Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Taylor Moore replaces Nathaniel Atkinson because of an injury.Attempt missed. Sylvester Jasper (Hibernian) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Joe Newell.Foul by Aaron McEneff (Heart of Midlothian).Joe Newell (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Peter Haring (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.Dangerous play by Ewan Henderson (Hibernian).Attempt missed. Alex Cochrane (Heart of Midlothian) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is close, but misses to the left.Attempt missed. Barrie McKay (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left from a direct free kick.