Halkett the hero at both ends of the pitch in derby triumph that will ratchet up title talk for Hearts
At the end of a contest when defence was very much the order of the day, it was perhaps fitting that it was left to a centre-half to have the final word.
In Craig Halkett, Hearts had the most influential player on the pitch.
Not content with dealing with everything thrown at him in his own box, the big man popped up at the other end in the nick of time to clinch a dramatic winner.
It came at the end of what was — after much hype, it must be said — a pretty drab affair, but not that the majority of those packed in to Tynecastle cared.
David Dickinson’s full-time whistle was barely audible over the rendition of ‘We Shall Not Be Moved’ which was being belted out from the stands.
A few sore throats to come, no doubt.
Craig Halkett celebrates his stoppage-time winner for Hearts over Hibernian at Tynecastle
Hearts manager Derek McInnes is keen to play down any title talk but may struggle to do so now
Halkett slides home at the far post to deliver a dramatic 1-0 victory for Hearts over Hibs
Derek McInnes this week labelled any talk of being involved in a title fight ‘stupid’. Well, even if he isn’t willing to admit it yet, he’s in one.
Make no mistake, his side were poor for much of this one. Halkett would have likely been awarded man of the match regardless of the outcome. That tells you all you need to know.
He was immense throughout. The 30-year-old hasn’t had his troubles to seek having missed most of the past two campaigns through injury, but it hasn’t taken long to establish himself as a key figure in this Hearts juggernaut.
He barely gave Hibernian danger man Kieron Bowie a sniff here. A robust early challenge in to the back of the young forward set the tone for a battle he quite comfortably won.
Much has been made of Hearts’ myriad options in the final third. However, having that solid foundation at the back will be every bit as important if they are to do the unthinkable this season.
That’s not to say they won’t need to rely on the likes of Lawrence Shankland to have an influence over the coming months.
The captain would have no doubt been left irritated by his omission from Steve Clarke’s latest Scotland squad considering how well he’s started the campaign.
This was a decent chance for him to take out some of that frustration, but it just wasn’t his night. On the one occasion when the ball landed at his feet inside the area, his touch let him down.
Hearts skipper Lawrence Shankland missed a couple of chances but ended up on the winning side
Alongside him, Claudio Braga also struggled to have an impact on his derby debut. The Portuguese has already established himself as a cult hero in these parts, but there’s no doubt his game requires some fine-tuning.
His choice to take an ambitious shot from outside the area rather than play in Alexandros Kyziridis to his left in acres of room midway through the second period highlighted his limitations when it comes to decision making.
Halkett made sure it wasn’t a costly mistake in any case, and his side now hold a five-point lead over Celtic ahead of the reigning champions’ match at home to Motherwell this afternoon.
The way they’ve been playing lately, you wouldn’t bet on them reducing the deficit.
Hearts travel to Kilmarnock after the international break, and so long as they leave with something, will still be on top of the table when Brendan Rodgers’ men rock up at Gorgie for a blockbuster clash at the end of the month.
One thing’s for sure, having now added Hibs to this season’s list of defeated opponents which includes Aberdeen, Dundee United and Rangers, there will be no fear. And nor should there be.
