Hearts 2 Hibernian 1

By Chris Roberts, PA Sport

Hearts enjoyed the perfect end to the season as goals from Juanjo and Gary McSwegan gave them their first derby win of the campaign and ensured the Edinburgh club would be playing in Europe next season.

Hearts needed at least a draw to secure their place in the UEFA Cup and Spanish super kid Juanjo conjured up a breathtaking solo effort to give his side the perfect start.

Mixu Paatelainen gave Hibernian hope of their third derby win of the season with an equaliser early in the second half that must have set Hearts racing and given fourth-place Motherwell hope.

But McSwegan's header and the sending off of Martin McIntosh ensured that it would be Hearts' manager Jim Jefferies that would be leading his side in Europe early next season.

Hearts were without young striker Gary Wales, who suffered a broken leg in the defeat at Rangers last week but they still had firepower in abundance.

Experienced Scotland strikers McSwegan and Darren Jackson returned to the side while tricky winger Juanjo also made a rare start - and what an inspired decision that was to prove.

Despite the numerous nationalities on show and with the players just one game from the close season there was never any doubt that this would have all the qualities of a fierce derby battle.

The match started at a frantic pace and Hearts skipper Colin Cameron gave the Hibernian defence a warning in the ninth minute when he picked up the ball just outside the box before launching a drive which flew just over.

Hibernian midfielder Grant Brebner became the first man in the book in the 12th minute with a bad tackle on Cameron and three minutes later McIntosh followed him for a challenge on Juanjo.

But the Spaniard should have given his side the lead in the 21st minute when keeper Nick Colgan somehow kept his close-range effort out with his feet.

Moments later and Juanjo was again involved as McSwegan teed the ball up for Thomas Flogel to deliver a cross into the box but the Spaniard headed just over.

But Juanjo finally took one of his chances on the half-hour mark, picking the ball up in the Hibernian half and embarking on a mazy run that ended with a wonderful right-foot shot into the corner of the net.

Hibernian tried to hit back immediately but Brebner's long-range free-kick whistled just over Niemi's crossbar.

However, Hibernian put their rivals' nerves on edge again in the 57th minute when they got themselves back on level terms.

Miller's looping header from Derek Collins' hanging cross came back off the upright and Paatelainen stooped from six yards to head home low past Niemi.

But that only served to make Hearts step up a gear and Colgan had to save low on the hour mark from Jackson's long-range effort.

It proved only a temporary respite for Hibs as the home side went back in front moments later.

McSwegan was left unmarked in the box and his glancing header from Makel's in-swinging free-kick deceived Colgan.

And Hibernian's hopes of their a third consecutive derby victory were shattered in the 72nd minute when McIntosh was shown his second yellow card for a reckless foul on Cameron.

Juanjo could have sealed it with just two minutes remaining when he spun in the box and unleashed a shot which flew just over.

But the home crowd were already singing and dancing on the terraces before the final whistle came as the news filtered through of Motherwell's win.

Teams:

Hearts: Niemi, Flogel, Pressley, Petric, Naysmith, Makel (Tomaschek 86), Severin, Cameron, Jackson (Kirk 80), McSwegan (Murray 83), Juanjo.

Subs Not Used: Rousset, Fulton.

Booked: Makel, Cameron, Juanjo.

Goals: Juanjo 30, McSwegan 62.

Hibernian: Colgan, Collins, McIntosh, Hughes, Lovering, Murray (Lovell 88), Brebner, McGinlay, Paatelainen, K. Miller, McManus (Reid 75).

Subs Not Used: Gottskalksson, Smith, Renwick.

Sent Off: McIntosh (72).

Booked: Brebner, McIntosh.

Goals: Paatelainen 57.

Att: 17,391

Ref: Hugh Dallas (Scotland).


Taken from sportinglife.com