Heart of Midlothian

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

With 26 games played and just 12 league fixtures remaining, Hearts sit proudly at the summit of the Premiership.

It is rare for any side to mount a serious title challenge without encountering setbacks along the way. Every campaign brings its difficult moments.

Yet the greatest compliment that can be paid to Derek McInnes and his players is their resilience. Whenever they have stumbled or faced adversity, they have responded.

Tuesday night's Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle was a perfect example. Following a disappointing defeat in Paisley - arguably one of their poorest performances of the season - questions inevitably surfaced.

Pundits and supporters wondered whether this might signal the beginning of a slide at a crucial stage of the campaign. Instead, Hearts answered in the only way that truly matters.

It was a tense evening, both on and off the pitch, but again this team found a way.

Tomas Magnusson's dramatic late winner, struck with just two minutes remaining, sparked scenes of elation.

McInnes' celebration on the touchline said it all - this is a squad that understands exactly what is at stake.

There is little time to bask in that victory though as an even sterner test awaits in Govan in Sunday.

Hearts have already silenced Ibrox once this season, when Lawrence Shankland's double secured a famous win.

The captain will be absent on Sunday, but belief within the squad remains strong that another statement result is achievable.

As the season enters its decisive phase and the prizes begin to shimmer on the horizon, each match grows in significance.

Should Hearts make the journey back along the M8 with three more points, it would represent another enormous stride towards what could become a truly momentous campaign.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Just as Hearts looked to be running out of ideas, Harry Milne delivered an inviting low ball for Tomas Magnusson to net the late winning goal against Hibs.

It left-back Milne's sixth assist of the season - the joint most in the Premiership.

The 29-year-old has blossomed as a Hearts regular this season and more than played has part in the dramatic derby win for the Premiership leaders.

For starters, Milne made 14 final-third entries - no played on the pitch made more - while his three dribbles were the most of any Hearts player.

Milne won 10 out of 14 duels, only Pierre Landry Kabore won more, while he won possession six times - again the most of any player Hearts player.

In terms of delivery, Milne's six crosses was also the biggest total for any Hearts player while his one chance created - which led to the goal - wasn't bettered by anyone in maroon.

Looking at the season as a whole, Milne's stats are impressive. His 156 passes played into the box (including crosses) is the sixth highest of any player in the league while his 36 chances created is the seventh highest.

Milne has delivered 51 successful crosses (including corners), the highest of any Premiership player, while his 15 chances created from set-plays is only bettered by Rangers' James Tavernier.

Milne's contribution will be vital for Hearts as they continue their push for the Premiership title.

Tomas Magnusson admits he is having "quite the week".

Having netted the late winner against Hibs to send Hearts six points clear at the top of the Premiership, the Icelandic midfielder is set to become a dad for the first time.

Magnusson, 23, came off the bench to light up a turgid Edinburgh derby by stroking home Harry Milne's cross two minutes from time on Tuesday night.

Speaking post match, head coach Derek McInnes said: "We think the baby will hopefully come before the weekend.

"He's a young man, over here with his partner, it's been a big upheaval for him, but he showed such a maturity and scored another important goal for us.

"He's done ever so well for us and is a bit unfortunate not to be starting the games. It's a busy time in his life, an important period in his life, and he's going to become a dad, which is brilliant for him."

The man himself rated his winning goal as the "number one" moment of his career, but is refusing to look too far ahead in the pursuit of title glory.

"It's just a brilliant feeling to get the three points and get on the scoresheet," he told Hearts TV.

"We're in the title race but it's just one game at a time and that's been the message throughout the season.

"Throughout the season we've had a few setbacks but we've answered quite well. We wanted to answer a setback again in this game."

Derek McInnes joked "his mother and father have got a taser for me" after he celebrated Hearts' dramatic Edinburgh derby winner with a ball boy.

Substitute Tomas Magnusson's 88th-minute goal prompted Jambo euphoria on the Tynecastle pitch, in the stands and on the touchline as McInnes raced to embrace the ball boy and salute the supporters.

It wasn't the first time the youngster has been involved in McInnes' celebrations - the 54-year-old did the same thing last month when Hearts beat St Mirren with 10 men.

"I think his mother and father have got a taser for me," McInnes joked.

"I really need to leave him alone. There was fear in his eyes when I ran towards him.

"We're all the same, we just have that sheer elation.

"I actually thought it was still a wee bit longer to go. I was a bit delighted when I realised there was only a few minutes left, I thought there was still about seven or eight minutes and then I still wanted to navigate the extra time.

"So it was a bit different to Craig Halkett's goal [in the 1-0 win derby in October], but thankfully we managed to keep the danger away from the goal and get the all-important three points."

Hearts fans, we asked for your views on Tuesday night's dramatic 1-0 Edinburgh derby win over Hibs.

Here's what some of you said:

Brian: A scrappy game with few chances and a never-say-die attitude from Hearts. Getting results from games like this is what Hearts have been doing all season and I hope they keep doing it right to the end.

Tam: One of the worst derbies for years but one of the best results for years due to what's at stake. Now we have real momentum. The media quite rightly point out that Hearts have no experience in winning leagues, but we have just as many players with league medals as Rangers. Most important derby win since the cup final. Bring on the Rangers.

David: Well done to the team for grinding out a result in a game where composure and shot accuracy were in short supply. We are now showing how much we are missing Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin and Craig Halkett with both Alexandros Kyziridis and Claudio Braga in need of a rest but with no replacements seeming to be good enough at this stage.

Oliver: Not a great game to watch but it's electric when that ball hits the back of the net. We have two internationals in Shanks and Cammy to come back within a few weeks which will feel like new signings at this point. We just refuse to settle, we keep going.

Barry: Zero composure, zero creativity, zero goals conceded and three points in the bag - it's hard not to love football. If we play like that for the remaining 12 games and win, none of us will complain. Churning out results is how you become champions.

Christopher: I always thought being top of the league would be fun but the pressure is relentless. We are deep into the championship rounds and throwing haymakers. We've got 12 cup finals to go with the weight of Scottish football on our shoulders - proud of my team for never giving up.

Manager Derek McInnes says Hearts showed the "desire" of title-winning Celtic and Rangers teams of the past as he scoffed at gripes about the quality of his side's 1-0 Edinburgh derby win over Hibernian. (The Herald)

McInnes has revealed how a ballboy has become a lucky charm, having made a bee-line for him when Hearts beat St Mirren earlier at Tynecastle earlier in the season as well as after the winner against Hibs. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

Watch all the highlights as Tomas Magnusson's late goal secured an important 1-0 Edinburgh derby win over Hibs. Available to UK users only.

Tomas Magnusson's 88th-minute strike sparked Tynecastle bedlam and gave Heart of Midlothian a crucial Edinburgh derby victory to extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table to six points.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Hearts' head coach Derek McInnes: "There was no quarter given from both sets of players, full press from both teams. They didn't let us settle, we didn't let them settle.

"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.

"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's 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."

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Free agent Barrie McKay is training with Livingston and could be offered a contract after the Premiership strugglers lost Scott Arfield and Connor McLennan to injury.

Former Rangers playmaker McKay, 31, has been without a club since leaving Hearts last summer.

Manager Marvin Bartley refused to be drawn on interest in McKay but did confirm that veteran midfielder Arfield and winger McLennan are facing spells on the sidelines with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.

"I don't think they'll be back for the next couple of weeks, put it that way," he said.

"I think Connor will be slightly longer than Scottie is, but definitely not for the next couple of weeks.

"It's a massive blow. We're down in numbers in terms of the size of the squad as well, so losing any players at this moment in time makes it extremely difficult, especially those two players.

"Connor's done extremely well for us and obviously Scottie was brought in (in January) to give us that boost in attacking areas.

"We've lost two boys from the top end of the pitch, but it's an opportunity for others to now step up and go into the team and take their places."

Bottom side Livi visit third-placed Celtic on Wednesday bidding to end a 25-game run without victory.

"It's a massive task, isn't it?" said Bartley. "Celtic are obviously chasing another title. It'll be extremely difficult.

"On any given day, anything can happen. If you go into football thinking you can't win, then it would be pointless."

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Former Hearts boss Robbie Neilson believes 99% of Hibs fans would rather stop their rivals from winning the league than qualify for Europe themselves.

The sides meet at Tynecastle tonight for the third Edinburgh derby of the season, with Hearts three points clear at the top of the table and Hibs sitting fifth with 13 Premiership games left to play.

David Gray's side are still firmly in the hunt for a European place despite their Scottish Cup exit and could deliver a major blow to Hearts' title aspirations with victory in Gorgie.

"There's no doubting tonight's game is massive for both teams," Neilson told the BBC Scottish Football Podcast.

"Because what have Hibs really got left to play for this season? Stopping Hearts winning the league.

"I think if you asked 99% of Hibs fans, would you want to make Europe or would you want to make sure you stop Hearts winning the Premiership, they would pick stopping Hearts.

"So these are their big games. This is their opportunity. Hearts are obviously going for the title. So it's a massive game and I'm looking forward to it."

Former Hibs midfielder Scott Allan believes his old side are in a good place despite losing key asset Kieron Bowie in the January window, and have come out of it looking stronger.

He said: "I definitely think they've strengthened. Getting the money in [club record fee] for Bowie was fantastic business considering they only signed them for £600,000.

"He had a great start to the season and was a focal point for Hibs but the signings they've brought in [look good].

"Dane Scarlett was excellent against Dundee United. Felix Passlack comes in with a good pedigree, Munashe Garananga is in from Copenhagen, so they've managed to fill positions in their team that they probably had to strengthen.

"So I think Hibs are in a good position."

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Midfielder Oisin McEntee expects a strong response from table-topping Hearts as they target a return to winning ways in tonight's "huge" Edinburgh derby.

The Tynecastle side were beaten 1-0 at St Mirren last time out - just a third league defeat of the season - and their lead was subsequently halved to three points when Rangers thrashed Kilmarnock.

Hibs, who beat Hearts 3-2 in the previous derby meeting at Easter Road, visit Gorgie tonight for a high-stakes showdown.

McEntee said: "I think the mood is OK. It's just one game and we just have to bounce back.

"It's been a brilliant season so far and you're going get setbacks. Teams are going to get setbacks.

"It's just how we bounce back from them and we haven't had many losses. It's obviously going to be a really tough game.

"It's a derby. It a huge game in the city. Huge game for us, huge game for Hibs so I think it's going to take care of itself. It's about the want to win.

"It's brilliant when you're doing it. It was a tough, tough day when we went there [Easter Road] and lost. That's the nature of a derby, isn't it?

"Everyone wants to win everything in the city. There's obviously two sides so you just want to come out on the right side of it.

"I think every game from now until the end of the season is going to be huge because there's so much riding on it so we just have to treat every game the exact same."

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Hearts' head coach Derek McInnes sought to clarify his comments on James Wilson's loan departure to Tottenham Hotspur, insisting there has been "no falling out" between the pair.

The 18-year-old joined the EPL giants on deadline day in a loan move that could become a permanent deal in the summer.

He will initially link up with Spurs' development squad, with McInnes commenting: "I don't think it's the right move for him. Ultimately, it's academy football and I think he's better than that."

Adding to his earlier remarks, the Hearts head coach said: "There's no falling out. I'm disappointed he took up the option but I really hope it goes well for him. I thought the best option, as I said to him and his agent, would be to stay here.

"He sees it as an opportunity. I had a chat with him a couple weeks ago on the back of Lawrence [Shankland]'s injury. There was a space there, that he had to try and get in for, and we had a chat about him not wanting to go out on loan.

"He came on against Celtic and was a step closer to playing with Lawrence's injury. But the interest from down south seemed to change their point of view."

McInnes was also asked about midfielder Beni Baningime, who seemed to confirm last week that he is in talks with the club about a new contract.

Baningime's contract ends in the summer and he has been a vital part of Hearts' title challenge.

"The talks are between [sporting director] Graeme Jones and Beni's agent," McInnes said.

"Beni knows how I feel about him. He's a player who has over his period of time at Hearts been good and in my time at Hearts, I'm really enjoying working with him. He's got a big part to play.

"I saw his comments the other night and there is conversations that have been had between the club and Beni's representative."

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Hearts' defender Craig Halkett is suspended after his red card in the defeat by St Mirren, but Christian Borchgrevink is back training and could be available.

Stephen Kingsley continues to miss out, along with Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin, Calem Nieuwenhof and Finlay Pollock.

For Hibs, Jordan Obita, Grant Hanley and Josh Mulligan will all sit out through injury.

David Gray will give Jamie McGrath and Warren O'Hora until the last minute to prove their fitness.

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• Hearts have only lost one of their last eight home games against rivals Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership (W3 D4), a 1-2 reverse in December 2024 under Neil Critchley.

• Hibernian have won three of the last four Edinburgh derbies in the Scottish Premiership (L1), as many as their previous 19 top-flight meetings with Hearts beforehand (W3 D9 L7).

• Heart of Midlothian are unbeaten in their last 14 home league games (W10 D4) since a 0-1 defeat to Dundee in April 2025. It's Hearts' longest unbeaten home run in the top-flight since October 2004, when they went 16 without losing – the 15th of which was a 2-1 win over rivals Hibernian.

• Since Christmas Day, only Rangers (22) have earned more points in the Scottish Premiership than Hibernian (14), who have won four and lost just one of seven league games in this time (D2).

• Since his debut for the club in July 2022, Hearts have only won six of the 20 league games in which Lawrence Shankland hasn't been in their starting XI (30 per cent). This is compared to a 50 per cent-win rate with the striker starting (60/119) in this period.

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Derek McInnes insists his Hearts players are not feeling the pressure after their lead at the top of the Premiership was cut in half.

Rangers' 5-1 rout of 10-man Kilmarnock in midweek moved them within three points of Hearts, while Celtic are six back with a game in hand.

When asked if there was anxiety creeping into the squad as a result of the narrowing gap, boss McInnes said: "None whatsoever.

"We've been top of the league for four-and-a-half months so there's no extra anxiety there at all.

"It's my job to give confidence to the players that we can win games. We've shown the consistency we're just looking for more of the same as we go along.

"We're into February, getting to the business end of the season and we're just looking for those improvements from the squad."

McInnes has urged patience over record signing Ageu and January arrivals Rogers Mato and Islam Chesnokov.

Ageu has been plagued by hamstring issues and is yet to start a game since signing last summer, while Uganda forward Mato and Kazakhstan winger Chesnokov have been restricted to just one substitute appearance each.

"I get the clamour for these players to be involved because nobody is more excited when we sign players than a manager who wants to bring in players who are ready," said McInnes.

"But the truth is they're not ready and we're trying hard to get them ready.

"When you sign players [Chesnokov] in a transfer window when their league finishes in November. it's difficult to get them up to speed. Scottish football in particular is that bit more intense.

"Managers want, as soon as they make signings, they want their signings to make that impact, but I've got to be fair to these boys as well.

"Ageu's had about two weeks' training and about seven months injured, so all of a sudden, because you lose a game, it doesn't mean to say 'you're in', and that's the answer.

"We want these players fit, they're signed for a reason, and hopefully they can have a positive influence on the team between now and the end of the season, and I've no doubts that they will."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Derek McInnes has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Tuesday night's Edinburgh derby against Hibs at Tynecastle.

Here are the main points:

• After Rangers cut the gap on league leaders Hearts to three points, McInnes insists his players are not feeling the pressure: "We've been top of the league for four-and-a-half months so no extra anxiety."

• On the midweek defeat to St Mirren he admits "we had a bad night" but "can't dwell on a disappointing result".

• The Hearts boss was frustrated by Craig Halkett's sending off, their third in five games, which "made the whole evening far more challenging than it needed to be" but has "no complaints about any of the red cards".

• McInnes doesn't believe "there's a discipline problem" among his squad but stresses "we need to be fully focused at all times".

• Hearts were "hands down second best" in the previous meeting with Hibs, the 3-2 defeat at Easter Road in December, but McInnes takes confidence that "we still nearly got something from the game" after being three down.

• On Rogers Mato and Islam Chesknokov, McInnes understands "the clamour for these players to be involved", but says "they're not ready [to start], we're trying hard to get them ready".

• The Hearts boss confirms discussions are taking place with Beni Baningime's agent over a new deal and the midfielder "has a big part to play" at the club.

• On James Wilson's move to Tottenham, McInnes says "we had a good chat about him not wanting to go out on loan" before the interest from down south and suggests "he was maybe a step closer to playing because of Lawrence Shankland's injury".

• But McInnes adds: "There's no falling out, I'm disappointed he's taken up the option but I hope it goes really well."

• Team news: Halkett is suspended but Christian Borchgrevink is back training and could be available.

Image source, SNS

Beni Baningime has revealed he is in talks with Hearts over a new deal - but is content to wait until the summer because he wants no distractions from the club's title bid.

The 27-year-old midfielder, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has been a key player in Premiership leaders Hearts' push for a first title since 1960.

"I'll be so real with you, I haven't thought about it," said Baningime.

"Right now, there's no time for that. There's no time for individual egos and 'I want this' or 'I want that'.

"My agent and the club are in contact and they're speaking. I know there were rumours out there saying they're not offering me a contract. So, yeah, I'll just clear that up. We are in contact."

Baningime, who moved to Tynecastle in 2021, was in a similar situation two years ago and waited until days before the end of the 2023-24 campaign before extending his deal.

"I've been through this before and ultimately, we're in a quest to win the league," he said. "Last time I think we were third two years ago, so we were on a good run both times but this is something new for us.

"So there's no thinking about me individually. It's about the team. I think everything sorts itself out. It always sorts itself out.

"It's not just me - it's Cammy Devlin, Frankie Kent, there's a few of us [out of contract]. Right now, we don't speak about it. It will get sorted out. But right now I have to think about the next game against Hibs. That's it."

Hearts aim to bounce back from their third league defeat of the season when they host Hibs in the derby on Tuesday.

The 1-0 loss at St Mirren on Tuesday - which allowed Rangers to narrow the gap at the top to three points - raised questions over whether Hearts are feeling the pressure of the title chase.

But Baningime said: "I think the questions have been going on since September. The gaffer and the staff tell us it ultimately doesn't matter what everyone thinks, it's what we're doing.

"I watch the Premier League and Arsenal drop points. That's football - you're going to drop points. Ultimately, it's how you respond.

"It's not about what anyone's saying out there. It's about us, it's about what we're doing and trying to make this season as special as possible.

"Hopefully we can do that. The next two games are massive, Hibs then Rangers. We need to stand up as men, we need to respond and we've done that all season. Hopefully it's the same this time."

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Former manager Robbie Neilson thinks Hearts' next two games - at home to Hibs and away to Rangers - will dictate how their title challenge plays out.

Hearts suffered just their third defeat of the season as they were beaten 1-0 by St Mirren on Tuesday night, which allowed Rangers to move within three points of the table-topping Tynecastle side after a big win over Kilmarnock.

With Derek McInnes' side out of the Scottish Cup, they have a week to prepare for their next game - an Edinburgh derby at home to Hibs next Tuesday.

Five days after that match, Hearts travel to face Rangers at Ibrox.

"I think it's just week to week now," Neilson told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast about the title race.

"Can Hearts get back and put a consistent run together and can they recover from a difficult result?

"St Mirren is always a difficult place to go for anyone and I just don't see any of the three top teams going on a six, seven, eight-game unbeaten run. So I don't think it'll be a seismic hit to Hearts. I think they'll regroup again."

Hearts struggled in the opening exchanges at St Mirren and their task was made even tougher when Craig Halkett was sent off after half an hour - a third red card in five games for McInnes' side.

"It obviously made a big difference to the game," Neilson added.

"It was difficult for them but you've seen in previous weeks that they've managed to recover from that and pick up points, maximum points at times.

"It'll be a hard one to take but they're still in a great position. It's a massive game now coming up next Tuesday against Hibs and then Rangers.

"So the next two games for them will probably dictate what way the season's going to go."