Heart of Midlothian

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Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken: "First half was not good enough, we were looking at what was happening instead of taking it on. That's not who we want to be. There was not enough guts on the ball.

"One ball in behind, it's not possible to defend like this on one long ball. That's all we gave away, they didn't create another decent chance.

"Second half I was happy with the reaction. We were in the duels, had quality on the ball, pressed and dominated them. They were defending the result.

"We were patient, tried to get the ball round them. We had to be faster in these moments, but we showed conviction. We never gave up, we kept pushing and got what we deserved.

"Sabah [Kerjota] can play from the start. We have options on the wing, Josh [McPake] and Calvin [Miller] are doing great. But I know Sabah is a great player too. I will keep using him. In those moments, you need those kinds of players to turn things around.

"I'm happy he was decisive here because a player needs these things to build confidence.

"We don't mention fatigue before the game, because when you mention it to the players, it hits. We have to give full energy all the time. You can see fatigue at the end of the game, but not the beginning. When you're tired, you come off.

"It's no excuse. When you have two recovery days, it's not possible to recover fully. That's when you need game-changers, not only Sabah but Borch [Borchgrevink] was really good when he came on. JJ [Williams] did the things we wanted him to do, and Harry [Milne] getting his first minutes again.

"With Spitts, I also thought it was not that bad and then it was. It's a contact sport, but let's hope it's okay with Oisin [McEntee]."

Claudio Braga's penalty and Sabah Kerjota's brilliant low drive earned Hearts a dramatic Scottish Premiership victory over Dundee and extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight matches.

Read the match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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The injury that Blair Spittal picked up in the 3-1 Edinburgh Derby win at Easter Road will keep him out for months, according to boss Wouter Vrancken.

The midfielder, who has captained Hearts this season, was substituted in the second half after twisting his ankle awkwardly in a tackle and in the post-match celebrations, he hobbled around the pitch on crutches.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, head coach Vrancken said that the Spittal will be missing "for more than a few weeks" - which will likely mean a change to the club's registered Conference League squad.

It leaves Hearts with three fit central midfielders - Laurent Mendy, Tomas Magnusson and new signing Leart Kabashi, as well as defensive hybrid Oisin McEntee.

Tom Renaud is already out for four months, having injured his ankle in the away game against Rapid Vienna. Eduardo Ageu is expected back soon having returned to first-team training this week.

The list of injured players at Hearts is already lengthy - Stephen Kingsley, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Craig Halkett, Ageu, Renuad, Finlay Pollock and Zander Clark are all out.

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Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken believes his in-form side still have scope for improvement after three straight Scottish Premiership wins.

The Jambos impressed on Thursday as they beat Edinburgh rivals Hibernian 3-1, stretching their unbeaten run in all competitions to seven matches.

The Tynecastle outfit host Dundee on Sunday as they try to continue that run.

"One hundred per cent, I think we can improve in quality on the ball, for sure," Vrancken said. "We have to try to push and to make those steps. It's ups and downs, we're human beings, so the level will drop at times, but that's not how we have to see it.

"We just have to work like this and it doesn't end here. We're just starting and we have to keep pushing to make improvements and try to improve our game.

"It gives confidence to the players when you have results and I think they have kept this momentum and kept this push, but we can still improve and we have a group who are willing to improve."

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Josh McPake "feels ready" for a Scotland call-up after an impressive start to life at Hearts.

The 25-year-old joined the Tynecastle club this summer having agreed a pre-contract back in January when he was still at St Johnstone and has forced his way into Wouter Vrancken's starting XI.

McPake set up teammate James Wilson for the opening goal in Thursday night's Edinburgh derby and scored one of his own as Hearts beat Hibernian 3-1.

New Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli was in the stands at Easter Road watching on as he prepares to select his squad for this month's Nations League matches against Slovenia, Switzerland, and North Macedonia.

"I do feel ready," McPake said when asked about a first international call-up for those games.

"When I was at St Johnstone, people would ask me all the time if I felt ready for the step up to Hearts, and I said 'yeah'.

"And I do feel like I'm ready for that step up, but it's not my decision to make.

"Hopefully performances like that [against Hibs] might help my case there. My goal was a massive one for everyone, I think.

"But I'm just taking it one game at a time at the moment. I've still got a good few games until the international break, so my full focus is on Hearts and things like that [Scotland] should come naturally."

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• Seven of the 10 goals in Dundee's Scottish Premiership games this season have come in the second half of matches, with the Dee scoring four of six goals after half-time and conceding three of four after the break.

• After their 2-0 win over Dundee United in August, Dundee could win back-to-back away league games for the first time since January 2025.

• Hearts have won each of their last nine home league games, a run that began in February. The last side to win 10+ successive Scottish Premiership home matches were Celtic in February 2025 (10), while the last non-Old Firm club (Celtic/Rangers) to do so were Aberdeen in November 2024 (10).

• Dundee have lost five of their last six Scottish Premiership visits to Hearts, winning the other 1-0 in April 2025.

• Hearts won all three of their league meetings with Dundee last season and are looking to win four in a row against them in the top-flight for the first time since October 2004.

Hearts fans, we asked for your views after Thursday's Edinburgh derby victory.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Jim: Another excellent performance and result away from home against a very good Hibs side. Particularly impressed by the Hearts front four, the new Scotland manager should seriously look at them minus Braga of course. Fans are warming to the quality of the offensive set up employed by our new manager but still have some concerns regards our defensive set up, although Beau Reus could prove to be a real find.

Campbell: So much to be happy about with this team. However, our defence is the Achilles heel. In attack we look really good.

Alfo: Loving the way Wouter Vrancken has Hearts performing - we could have been out of sight after a dominant first half and even though Hibs came back at us, we once again showed the resilience needed to get the result. Great football from a team that's tough as old boots.

Frank: Get James Wilson's contract extended now with a generous wage rise.

Dougie: Laurent Mendy could have lost us the game, caught in possession couple of times which stopped us going forward and put us on back foot when he could have played easy passes. Great result, need to tighten up at the back.

Garry: Hearts playing lovely football. It's amazing how much one man can change the whole system, improve players and give them a real belief in their ability. A real breath of fresh air.

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Hearts boss Wouter Vrancken tells BBC Scotland: "We played a brilliant first half. We had to adapt a little bit.

"[We said at half-time] that the only they could come back in the game is if we give the moments away. I'm proud the lads kept their heads in the game.

"It was nice to see and it was also a nice atmosphere. [The fans] were really loud, it felt like a home game. But you have to be above the emotions so you have the overview and show the quality."

On the severity of Blair Spittal's injury, Vrancken adds: "I don't know yet, I don't think it's too bad."

Hearts won their second Edinburgh derby in a row with a rousing win at Easter Road.

Read the match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Kilmarnock have signed centre-back MJ Kamson-Kamara on loan from Hearts until January 2027.

The 20-year-old joined Hearts this summer from English outfit Lincoln City following an impressive loan spell with Northern Irish side Glentoran last term where he scored five goals in 31 appearances from defence.

Kamson-Kamara made his Hearts debut during their Europa League qualifier against Benfica last month.

He will now link up with Neil McCann's side and could make his debut on Saturday at Aberdeen.

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Hearts have signed Swiss teenager Leart Kabashi from Grasshoper Club Zurich for an undisclosed fee.

The 18-year-old midfielder has penned a four-year deal at Tynecastle and could make his debut in tonight's Edinburgh derby clash against Hibs.

"A fast player on the ball with good technique and good finishes and a team player," Kabashi told HeartsTV about what fans can expect from him.

"I love to fight for the team, give my all for the team and have a big mentality."

Kabashi came through Grashopper's academy before linking up with the first team and made his debut in February last year. He scored his first senior goal in his second appearance for the club and has featured six times for the Swiss side since then.

The club say Kabashi is "comfortable in the middle of the park and with an attacking edge to his game."

Also adding he is a "highly regarded midfielder with an eye for goal."

When asked what attracted him to the Tynecastle club, Kabashi added: "the tradition, the fans the beautiful city and I think it's a familiar club and I can take the next step in my career here."

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Hearts have signed Faroese winger Aron Benjaminsen from Vikingur Gota for an undisclosed fee.

Benjaminsen, 18, has signed a four-year deal at Tynecastle and becomes the club's 12th summer signing.

He scored seven goals and chipped in with a further seven assists in 19 league appearances for Vikingur this season and could make his Hearts debut against Hibernian in Thursday night's Edinburgh derby.

"It's a dream come true," Benjaminsen told club media.

"Really nice to be here. It's good for me because it's a big step up. I think it's the right choice. I think I have become more of a man now.

"It was really nice [to score in Europe] I couldn't believe it."

"The stadium is really big and really cool. I'm excited to play and score."

Benjaminsen was in the Skala academy in the Faroe Islands before moving to Norway with Kristiansund in 2024.

He returned to his homeland earlier this year and has thrived in the Vikingur first team.

As well as his impressive domestic form, the teenager featured and scored in each leg of Vikingur's Conference League Qualifier against Stjarnan of Iceland.

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• Last season, all six of Heart of Midlothian's goals against Hibernian came in the second half of games, with four of those coming in the 86th minute or later. Hibs, by contrast, scored three of their four goals in this fixture in first halves.

• Hearts have only won one of their last eight away league outings (D2 L5), although that was at rivals Hibernian in April (2-1).

• Hibernian have lost each of their last four home league games, their longest run in the top-flight since August 2011 (also four), while they last lost five in a row in August 2010.

• Hibernian have lost both of their last two league games against Hearts, but haven't lost three in a row to their Edinburgh rivals in the top-flight since March 2012.

• After their 2-1 win in April, Hearts could enjoy back-to-back away league wins over Hibernian for the first time since March 2020.

Greg Playfair
Fan writer

Whenever opposition fans fall over themselves to launch into a snide rendition of Joy Division's biggest hit and chant, 'Hearts are falling apart', it tends to feel a little premature.

Our rivals may have gleefully watched us lose our first four competitive games, but Hearts have since responded with back-to-back league victories, earn a favourable away draw in the League Cup quarter-final and progress to the Conference League league phase - restoring a little national pride in the coefficient along the way.

Conveniently, 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' isn't the most requested song in the jukebox in Leith or Aberdeen pubs these past few weeks.

Some players and managers can spend an entire Hearts career without producing one defining memory. Yet only a couple of months in, Wouter Vrancken and several of his players already have their 'maroon moment' after the penalty shootout victory over Rapid in Vienna.

Down to 10 men, with two out-and-out wingers and a striker still on the pitch, Vrancken responded to Blair Spittal's injury by sending on attacker Rogers Mato for the 30 minutes of extra time. It was one of the boldest tactical gambles I can remember from a Hearts manager.

Thankfully, fortune favoured the brave. Hearts earned their reward at the end of a nerve-shredding shootout, with Beau Reus producing two excellent saves to swing it our way.

Calvin Miller's night in Vienna will be remembered for years. It was a talismanic display; he switched positions several times, finished the game hobbling in central midfield and scored one of the most iconic European goals in the club's history.

Six league-phase games now await, including former European heavyweights Monaco at home. Admittedly, that fixture might have been even more alluring on the Cote d'Azur, but I'm sure our visitors will appreciate the dreich Edinburgh weather in November.

The Petroclub debacle from a couple of seasons ago showed that seven points do not guarantee progression to the knockout stage. Even so, if Hearts continue on this upward trajectory under Vrancken, I fancy us to take three wins from these fixtures. And, as Benfica away demonstrated, this side does not play for stalemates.

Excluding that late collapse at Pittodrie in the opening game of the season, there's a growing confidence with supporters in this Hearts side, so much so that St Johnstone's late rally last Saturday didn't spook too many supporters inside Tynecastle as we eeked out a 2-1 win to go into third in the Scottish Premiership.

A Thursday evening Edinburgh derby will feel strange, although European commitments mean both sides are becoming accustomed to midweek football. As long as most of Easter Road is as despondent at full-time as it was after the defeat by Gent, I'll be delighted.

Hearts' recent league record at Easter Road is almost evenly divided between wins, draws and defeats. Across the past 25 meetings there, we have won eight, Hibs have won 10 and seven have ended level.

History puts our chances of victory at roughly one in three, but I have a feeling a classic is coming. Both defences look vulnerable; Hearts have conceded in eight of the past nine games and Hibs in seven of their past 10. I'm going for a 3-2 Hearts win.

European progression has restored the belief; victory at Easter Road would confirm this Hearts side is no longer falling apart, but coming together at exactly the right time.

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Sander Kartum has left Hearts by mutual consent, the club have announced.

The 30-year-old Norwegian midfielder signed for the Tynecastle outfit in January 2025 from Brann for an undisclosed fee, but struggled to break into the first team in Gorgie.

Kartum scored two goals in 17 Hearts appearances, both in a Scottish Cup victory against Dundee.