Hibernian 1-3 Hearts: McPake Steals Show as Hearts Deliver Derby Delight
Hibernian 1-3 Hearts Mayor (51′) Wilson (13′) Mendy (43′) McPake (66′) A stunning Josh McPake solo effort rounded off a three-goal victory for Heart of Midlothian, delivering Wouter Vrancken a brilliant victory on his first taste of the Edinburgh Derby. The visitors produced a measured first half performance, dominating large portions of the match. James Wilson opened the scoring against St Johnstone on Saturday, and he was in the same mood on Derby day. Josh McPake had acres of space to drive, and beat Felix Passlack on the left wing before sliding a low cross into Wilson’s path. The 19-year-old continues to show maturity beyond his age, side-footing past Raphael Sallinger. The visitors began to enjoy themselves; the attacking threats of Calvin Miller, Claudio Braga, Wilson, and McPake were regularly finding pockets to attack a passive Hibs backline. Miller, a standout in Vienna last week as Hearts qualified for Conference League football, drove into space on the right flank, but his low cross to an unmarked Braga lacked the finishing touch, deflecting behind for a corner. Wouter Vrancken was experiencing his first taste of this historic derby, compared to David Gray’s 18th appearance as player, and now manager. It was safe to say the Belgian was enjoying the better of the opening 45 minutes, applauding his team’s persistence and hunger. The home faithful demanded more from their side, who had failed to test Beau Reus properly in the first half hour. Josh Mulligan’s surging run at the heart of the Jambos backline offered much-needed energy. But after picking out Nathan Lowe in the box, the Englishman’s effort was saved by the sprawling Reus. Justin Devaney’s right-footed strike narrowly missed the top corner, and the chance was gone. The visitors recovered from the Hibee pressure, delivering a sucker punch on the halftime mark. Blair Spittal was the architect, swinging a deep free-kick onto the head of Laurent Mendy. The summer signing from Forest Green Rovers had dominated the midfield battle up till then, and he rose highest to glance into the bottom left corner. 2-0, halftime, and a mountain to climb for David Gray’s side. As for the visitors, they looked well on their way to recording a 4th derby victory in 5 matches. Hibs searched for an instant response as the second half, and they found it through halftime substitute Adam Mayor. The leftback had already picked out Mulligan for a chance, but in the 48th minute he drilled a left-footed strike into the roof of the net from the edge of the box. Mayor had given his side, and three sides of Easter Road, a much-needed lift in the 346th Edinburgh Derby. Martin Boyle harried Reus after a slack McEntee backpass minutes later; the Jambos still had the lead, but desperately needed to regain their composure. Mayor found more space on the Hearts right channel in the 56th minute; Lowe found a pocket of space in between the Hearts defence and midfield, before finding the left-back unmarked. Instead of taking a touch, Mayor slashed his effort into the Famous Five end; a golden chance to equalise went begging. Hibs’ momentum ground to a halt, however, on the hour mark. Substitute Jack Iredale caught Miller with a high boot, and Don Robertson showed no hesitation in giving the centre-back a second yellow and his marching orders. McPake stamped the Hearts victory with a marvellous solo goal. After ghosting past three green jerseys on the left of the box, he showed poise to finish past Sallinger; although the strike was deflected, the skills to dance through the home defence were magnificent. Lowe should have done better from a close-range effort as Hibs huffed and puffed for a route back into the match but this was Hearts’ night under the Easter Road lights. Lowe eventually did have the ball in the net in the 78th minute, but his strike was quickly ruled out for a foul in the buildup, rubbing salt into the Hibernian wound. Rounding off an entertaining derby. Hibernian: Sallinger 5 Passlack 5 Hanley 4 Kerr 4 Obita 4 Devaney 6 Mulligan 7 McGrath 5 Wright 4 Boyle 4 Lowe 5 Substitutes: Iredale 3 Chaiwa 5 Mayor 7 Suto 4 Klidje 4 Hearts: Reus 8 McEntee 7 McCart 7 Findlay 7 Altena 7 Spittal 9 Mendy 9 McPake 9 Braga 8 Miller 8 Wilson 9 Substitutes: Williams 6 Magnusson 7 Kerjota 6 Guendouz Milne
Aron Benjaminsen Joins Hearts
Hearts have completed the signing of Aron Benjaminsen. The Faroese winger joins Hearts on a four year deal for an undisclosed fee as he looks to make a step up in his professional career. Benjaminsen arrives at Hearts after an impressive season with Víkingur, where his performances established him as one of the most exciting young players in Faroese football. Before returning to the Faroe Islands, Benjaminsen gained experience in Norway with Kristiansund. He made his professional debut in a Norwegian Cup match against Melhus in April 2025 before joining Víkingur in March 2026. During his time at Víkingur, Benjaminsen impressed with his goal contributions and also scored in both legs of the club’s UEFA Conference League qualifier against Icelandic side Stjarnan. His progress has also been recognised internationally, with the youngster representing the Faroe Islands at youth level and earning appearances for the country’s Under-21 team.
Leart Kabashi Signs for Hearts
Heart of Midlothian have confirmed the signing of promising Swiss midfielder Leart Kabashi from Grasshopper Club Zurich. The 18-year-old has joined Hearts for an undisclosed fee and signed a four-year contract at Tynecastle Park. Kabashi arrives in Edinburgh after progressing through the Grasshopper Club Zurich academy system. He impressed at youth level and featured regularly for the club’s Under-19 and Under-21 teams during his development in Switzerland. His breakthrough 2024/25 campaign was particularly productive, with Kabashi scoring 13 goals across Grasshopper’s youth sides. The young midfielder has also gained valuable international experience. Kabashi has represented Switzerland from Under 16s level and is now part of the Swiss Under 19 national team setup. Speaking about his move, Kabashi highlighted Hearts’ tradition and passionate supporters as important factors behind his decision. The teenager believes the move represents an opportunity to take the next step in his career.
Josh Campbell set for Hibs departure as Premier League veteran linked
Reports indicate that Josh Campbell is set to join St. Johnstone on a season-long loan, whilst Danny Ings is rumoured to be joining the club. Despite scoring at Ibrox earlier this season, game time has been hard to come by for the Hibs midfielder. Earlier reports indicated Dundee United were interested in Campbell, but it seems he is on his way to Perth to join up with Simo Valakari’s side. A boyhood Hibs fan, Campbell has played 184 times for Hibs since coming through the academy, being a mainstay at the club under numerous managers such as Jack Ross, Shaun Maloney, Lee Johnson, Nick Montgomery and David Gray. He’s scored 23 goals during his time at Hibs and has been known to pop up in the big moments for Hibs, scoring a penalty in this season’s win at Ibrox, whilst netting in last season’s Edinburgh derby win, a brace against Celtic in 2025, a hat-trick in a 6-0 win against Aberdeen (where he also provided two assists) and a late equaliser against Rangers whilst Lee Johnson was in charge at Hibs. The Edinburgh side have also been linked with ex-Premier League striker Danny Ings. The 34-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Sheffield United last season, but made his name in England’s top flight at clubs such as Liverpool, West Ham, Southampton, Aston Villa and Burnley. Ings won the 2022/23 Conference League title at West Ham and finished 2nd in the 2019/20 Premier League Golden Boot race, netting 22 goals whilst at Southampton, only Jamie Vardy scored more that year on 23. Hibs host Hearts in the Edinburgh derby tonight, if Campbell’s move to Perth is completed by the 5pm deadline, it is unlikely he’d make his debut this weekend as St. Johnstone host his parent club. However, he wouldn’t have long to wait as Celtic visit McDiarmid Park on Wednesday.
Match preview: Hibernian host Hearts in first Edinburgh Derby of the season
With five fixtures taking place last night, the Edinburgh Derby stands on its own tonight as Hearts travel to Easter Road. The Edinburgh Derby wasn’t short of drama last season. In the four meetings last year, Hearts scored three late winners and nearly scored a late equaliser from three goals down in the other derby at Easter Road. The final derby of last season saw Hearts win 2-1 at Easter Road against a 9-man Hibs side as Blair Spittal netted a late winner. Hibs currently sit fifth in the table, with Hearts in third, but only goal difference separates the two. Both sides are coming into the match on the back of 2-1 wins at the weekend as Hearts defeated newly promoted St. Johnstone at Tynecastle, whilst Hibs were victorious away to Dundee. Prior to the match, Hibs manager David Gray noted how Hibs must pick up where they left off, he said: “We need to maintain our standards. “It’s something we spoke about going into the Dundee game, that the standards we set ourselves have been really high. That’s the level we’re setting now. “We want to try and be as consistent as we can with that. “If we can do that, we know we’re a very good side, as we demonstrated at the weekend. “This week, you’ve got the added incentive of it being a Derby. I think we are going into it in a really good place, and we have to take all the confidence from that. “The players should certainly be looking forward to it, because I am, because of where we are as a group. “We’re all very much aware of the expectation and what that means to the supporters of the game, so you need to contend with that, but keep that discipline as well within that.” Speaking ahead of his first Edinburgh Derby, Hearts boss Wouter Vrancken discussed the frequency of the fixture, he said: “I think it’s nice games all the time as long as the emotion stays around the game and there is no violence. Because sometimes in Belgium it was a little bit next to the pitch. A little bit too far in emotions there. So I think this is important. “And then they are good games. Everybody supporting their own colour, their own badge. This is a nice thing about football. Everybody looks forward to those games and is excited to play those games, or the coach. “You know that you have to be there directly, with your full focus and energy. But also be above the emotions to play your game and don’t get dragged into the emotions.” Team news: David Gray has confirmed Adam Mayor will be available for selection once more after missing the weekend’s win at Dens Park, This could free-up Jamie McGrath who played left wing-back on Sunday. Nicky Cadden and Owen Elding are confirmed to miss this one whilst Rocky Bushiri is a long-term absentee. Warren O’Hora’s departure yesterday could leave Hibs light at the back, with new centre-back Marko Ivesić only signing yesterday. For Hearts, Vrancken has confirmed Harry Milne is available again after missing the last few weeks with injury whilst Craig Halkett still faces a lengthy time on the sideline. The Tynecastle boss has also stated he expects Claudio Braga to remain at the club past the 5pm transfer deadline. Players to watch: Martin Boyle: The Australian international will likely wear the armband for Hibs tonight, and has proven to be a big game player over the years. Boyle has netted 5 Edinburgh Derby goals for Hibs, including in the last meeting. The striker netted his third goal of the season by scoring the opener against Dundee on Sunday. Calvin Miller: Hearts’ new winger has been in fine form since arriving from Falkirk. Despite a brief spell at left-back, Miller has netted 4-times for Hearts this season as he looks to make the right-wing spot his own, whilst also chasing down a Scotland call-up. One of Scotland’s best fixtures kicks off at 19:45 tonight in front of a sold-out Easter Road.