Hearts boss Derek McInnes highlighted his side’s “desire” as they delivered another late derby victory at Tynecastle over fierce rivals Hibernian.
Tomas Magnusson connected with Harry Milne’s driven cross to sidefoot Hearts into a six-point lead at the summit of the Scottish Premiership. The manager believes it was another “brilliant moment” for the Jambos.
“On a tight pitch with a greasy surface, players need to concentrate on that first touch and I thought the game was so scrappy at times.
“Both teams played the derby in the manner it should be played but you’re looking for bits of quality, bits of calmness. You’re waiting for the game to settle and it didn’t for the full game.
“Hibs caused us more anxiety in the first half. When we went full press, they had more of a threat at the top end. They had a couple scary moments, the long throws were causing us an issue. Their best chances came from that type of football.”
McInnes admitted that Hibs were slightly better in the first period, but pointed to a second half switch which helped alter proceedings.
“We changed the shape, put two wingers at wing back and went to a back three and allowed a wee bit more calmness with our work. It nullified their threat better and gave us more of a foothold.
“We recognise we can play a lot better and there’s games coming up where we need to play a lot better. Derby games aren’t always about the best team, the best players, the best passages of play. It’s about way more than that, what’s under the bonnet.
“What we’ve got in abundance is a desire to make the game go our way. Harry Milne’s desire to get the ball to the byeline, Tomas Magnusson’s desire to get on the end of it. That’s what I’m talking about.
“For all it was scrappy and untidy, that’s the way derbies are. There have been a million of them are. Without the experience we’ve got missing in the team, a lot of our boys were playing that type of game for the first time.
“I always feel we’ve got a goal in us. It’s very rarely we don’t score. What a brilliant moment for us. Tynecastle was such a beautiful sight.”
After bouncing back from a dismal defeat in Paisley last Tuesday, the Jambos head to Ibrox next. As momentum continues to build within the maroon side of Edinburgh, the question remains, how far can McInnes’ team go this season.
