Classic Match: Hearts 1 Hibs 3: January 1, 1959

But this was a very different story, when Hibernian played much the better football, adapted themselves more intelligently to the conditions, and might well have won by more than 3-1.

The Easter Road side looked like potential winners almost from the start.

Joe Baker was unlucky to find Marshall at his best when he broke through early, only to see his shot slammed against the post.

Turnbull was even more unlucky when he beat Marshall all the way with a terrific drive which hit the post.

Hearts' attack was so poor at this stage that 23 minutes passed before Willie Bauld tested Leslie with their first good shot.

It was no surprise when Willie Ormond – shown above and later to become manager of Scotland in the 1970s before stints as boss of both Capital clubs – opened the scoring with a header from Baker's centre, but it was something of a surprise when Hearts equalised quickly.

On play, a goal was not deserved, but Young showed brilliant opportunism by cashing in on a split-second chance for which Thomson could take credit.

Hearts' only dangerous spell came after half-time when they tried to harness the strong wind which in the first half had given their defenders so much trouble because they insisted on keeping the ball in the air.

Hibernian, however, reduced the disadvantage to a minimum by keeping the ball where it belongs – on the carpet – and the forwards showed that it was possible to play better against the breeze.

Ormond's second goal, scored from a Smith centre, was enough to end Hearts' feeble rally, and Fox made it quite sure six minutes from time after good work from Ormond.

Only Marshall, the half-backs and to some extent Young, earned credit in a Hearts side which failed miserably.

Towards the end the wingers were switched but would it not have been more profitable to have moved Bauld into the middle? His strength in the air might have upset Plenderleith – but his slowness played right into Turnbull's hands.

The placing of Bauld at inside left made me wonder if Hearts pay enough attention to the opposition in planning their attack.

If a change had to be made surely it would have been more profitable to try a faster man for this particular match?

However, it would be unfair to Hibernians to dwell too long on the "What's wrong with Hearts?" theme.

The Easter Road attack defied the blustery wind and pouring rain to produce some excellent, progressive football.

They had what Hearts so obviously lacked – skill and resource on both wings – and it was as well for the champions that Milne stuck so determinedly to the task of trying to hold Baker.

Hearts had now collected two points from four successive games as 1959 dawned and, although they were to rally, a dramatic final day saw them pipped to the title by Rangers after the Jambos lost 2-1 to Celtic.

Hibs, for all their flair on New Year's Day, would finish tenth out of 18.

Hearts: Marshall, Kirk, Thomson, Bowman, Milne, Cumming, Paton, Murray, Young, Bauld, Crawford.

Hibs: Leslie, Grant, McClelland, Turnbull, Plenderleith, Preston, Smith, Fox, Baker, Gibson, Ormond.

Taken from the Scotsman