SBOTOP: Craig Halkett’s Last-Gasp Heroics Seal 1-0 Victory for Hearts Over Hibernian to Extend Premiership Lead

The Edinburgh Derby has long been one of Scottish football’s most fiercely contested fixtures, and the latest chapter lived up to every ounce of its drama. In a tense and tightly fought battle at Tynecastle Park, Craig Halkett emerged as the unlikely hero, scoring deep into stoppage time to hand Heart of Midlothian a thrilling 1-0 victory over city rivals Hibernian. The win not only secured local bragging rights but also extended Hearts’ lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, marking a defining moment in their title pursuit.

A Derby Steeped in Emotion and History

The build-up to this match was electric. The Edinburgh Derby, first contested in 1875, remains one of Scotland’s oldest and most passionate rivalries. The city of Edinburgh was buzzing for days leading up to kickoff, with fans draped in maroon and green flooding pubs, streets, and social media.

For Hearts, the match carried added weight. Sitting atop the Premiership table, they knew that victory would not only reinforce their title credentials but also deal a psychological blow to their arch-rivals. Hibernian, on the other hand, entered the clash eager to halt Hearts’ momentum and inject fresh life into their own season.

Under the bright Tynecastle lights and with 20,000 fans in full voice, the stakes could not have been higher.

First Half Physical Tactical and Relentless

From the very first whistle, it was clear that this would not be a fixture for the faint-hearted. Both teams flew into challenges, every tackle cheered as if it were a goal. Hearts manager Steven Naismith set his side up in a compact 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to control the midfield and exploit the flanks through the pace of Alan Forrest and Yutaro Oda.

Hibernian boss Nick Montgomery, meanwhile, opted for a 4-3-3 shape, tasking Joe Newell and Élie Youan with providing creativity and width. The visitors pressed aggressively early on, forcing Hearts into mistakes at the back.

In the 12th minute, Hibs nearly struck first. Youan’s blistering run down the left ended with a low cross that found Dylan Vente, whose first-time effort was brilliantly saved by Zander Clark. The Hearts goalkeeper, who has been in sensational form this season, reacted sharply to push the ball wide.

That scare seemed to awaken the hosts. Hearts began to find rhythm, with Beni Baningime dictating tempo from midfield. In the 25th minute, Lawrence Shankland, the league’s top scorer, nearly opened the scoring with a curling effort from distance that flew inches past the post.

The half continued at breakneck speed, full of crunching tackles and counterattacks. The referee had his hands full, booking both Alex Cochrane and Will Fish for late challenges as tempers flared. By halftime, the score remained 0-0 — but the intensity promised fireworks to come.

Second Half Hearts Begin to Turn the Screw

The second half saw Hearts assert greater control. Naismith’s halftime team talk seemed to inject renewed urgency into his players. They began pressing higher, forcing Hibernian to retreat and defend deeper.

In the 55th minute, Tynecastle erupted when Shankland bundled the ball into the net following a scramble in the box, only for the referee to disallow the goal for offside after a VAR review. The decision sparked heated protests from the Hearts bench, but the technology had made the right call.

Hibernian, struggling to maintain composure, were forced into defensive mode. Their captain Paul Hanlon marshaled the backline admirably, making several key clearances, but the pressure was relentless.

Forrest continued to trouble Hibs’ right flank, combining beautifully with Stephen Kingsley, whose overlapping runs created overloads. On 68 minutes, Forrest delivered a teasing cross that just evaded Shankland’s outstretched boot. Hearts were knocking on the door, and the Tynecastle faithful could sense a breakthrough.

Montgomery introduced Mykola Kukharevych and Lewis Miller to inject fresh legs and pace, hoping to hit Hearts on the counter. It nearly paid off in the 74th minute when Youan burst clear on a fast break, only to see his shot tipped over the bar by Clark.

Drama in the Final Minutes

As the match ticked into the final ten minutes, both teams threw caution to the wind. The atmosphere inside Tynecastle was electric — fans on their feet, singing, pleading for a winner.

In the 83rd minute, Hearts came agonizingly close when Cochrane’s long-range strike deflected off a defender and struck the post. The rebound fell kindly to Shankland, who looked destined to score, but his shot was blocked on the line by Hanlon in a heroic defensive moment for Hibs.

Just when it seemed the derby would end in a stalemate, fate had one final twist.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Hearts won a corner after a deflected effort from Oda. The stadium held its breath as Forrest stepped up to deliver the set-piece. The ball was whipped in perfectly, curling toward the near post — and there was Craig Halkett, rising above the crowd like a man possessed.

His header was emphatic, powered beyond Hibs goalkeeper David Marshall into the back of the net. The roar that followed could be heard across Edinburgh. Tynecastle exploded in jubilation as players, substitutes, and even coaching staff sprinted toward the corner flag to celebrate.

Halkett, the unlikeliest of heroes, was mobbed by teammates. His name echoed around the stands as maroon-clad fans waved scarves and chanted in unison.

Moments later, the referee blew the final whistle — Hearts 1, Hibernian 0.

Post-Match Scenes Ecstasy and Despair

The final whistle triggered contrasting emotions. For Hearts, it was pure euphoria. Naismith fist-pumped toward the stands, while Shankland embraced Halkett, whose late goal had secured a priceless victory.

The win extended Hearts’ lead at the top of the Premiership table, putting daylight between them and chasing sides like Celtic and Rangers. For Hibernian, however, the defeat was gut-wrenching. Montgomery’s men had fought valiantly, only to be undone by a moment of brilliance in the dying seconds.

“It’s hard to take,” said Montgomery post-match. “We defended well for most of the game, but you switch off for one moment, and against a quality side like Hearts, you get punished.”

Halkett, the man of the moment, was humble in victory. “I just wanted to make contact with the ball,” he told reporters. “To score in the derby, especially in the last minute, it’s something every player dreams of. The fans were incredible tonight — this win is for them.”

Halkett’s Redemption Story

For Halkett, this goal carried deeper meaning. The 29-year-old defender has battled back from a serious knee injury that sidelined him for much of last season. Many doubted whether he would ever return to his best, but his performance against Hibernian silenced all critics.

Not only was he defensively solid throughout the game, but his leadership and composure also anchored Hearts’ backline. His last-minute winner felt poetic — a reward for months of hard work, rehabilitation, and perseverance.

“Craig has been through a lot,” said Naismith in his post-match interview. “He’s a leader in the dressing room and a fighter on the pitch. To see him get that goal, in front of our supporters, it’s just perfect.”