Derby delight for Collins as Jones jettisons Hearts

JOHN Collins would make the heady discovery in the CIS Cup quarter-final last night that no first managerial victory is sweeter than the one that brings bragging rights over the neighbours.

The new Hibernian manager's counterpart, Eduard Malofeev, would be bruised by the realisation that he had presided over two successive defeats that have effectively eliminated Hearts from two tournaments - the Premierleague championship is the other, following the loss to Celtic last weekend - in the space of four days.

The Russian coach must have found it hard to believe that his team could have been so comprehensively outplayed in a match that was expected to be much more evenly contested. In truth, Rob Jones's first-half winning goal should have been at least trebled as the home side put their old rivals to sleep.

A match that began with the promise of a toe-to-toe slog-fest developed into a one-sided romp for Hibs.

Whatever language problems may interfere with fluent communication at these clubs on any other day, they seem never to have any difficulty in understanding the significance of the derby.

Invariably eventful and pulsing with a proper rivalry, it is a rarity for anyone to leave these occasions complaining of blandness or a lack of competitiveness. This does not always signify, of course, that the play at any given time is delicately balanced.

During a first half of relentless commitment in this renewal of the fixture, for example, there was a pronounced superiority about Hibs that was not reflected in the single-goal advantage they held at the interval.

In truth, some errant finishing, most notably by Ivan Sproule and Scott Brown, denied them the emphatic - and possibly conclusive - lead their aggressive and threatening performance merited. The goal with which Jones did put them in front was the least they were entitled to take from 45 minutes of oppressive endeavour.

Considering the number of opportunities they squandered from delicately crafted outfield play, it was hardly surprising that they should score from a set piece. Indeed, they were a little fortunate that Merouane Zemmama's corner kick from the left should bounce kindly for Jones, allowing the big defender to hit it right-footed high into the net - it seemed to be deflected upwards on its way in - from about six yards' range. This would be received by the home fans with a not-before-time rider built into their joy. They had, after all, watched their side move almost uninterrupted towards Craig Gordon, only to foil themselves with slackness inside the Hearts penalty area.

Even when Gordon prevented Hibs from doubling their advantage with a save from Brown, culpability on the part of the Easter Road midfielder was much easier to muster than credit for the goalkeeper.

Brown had played an incisive 1-2 with Zemmama which left him looking at Gordon from around the penalty spot. His soft, right-footed drive allowed the goalkeeper to stretch out his own right leg and deflect the ball wide. It was the worst of the home team's misses to that point, although the others were not far behind in terms of the degree of difficulty.

Sproule, who had Jose Goncalves looking uncomfortable every time he took possession on Hibs' right, was sent clear on a perfectly judged lay-off from Chris Killen. But, having left Goncalves behind as he bolted into the area on the right, the Irishman wrapped his right foot round the ball, sending it weakly wide.

Sproule had also failed to exploit several promising positions, his ball control failing to come anywhere close to matching his pace.

But Hibs' overall authority before the interval was the more meritorious for their having lost Michael Stewart to an early injury, necessitating a change.

The midfielder's problem was self-inflicted, as he came in with a high challenge on Marius Zaliukas in the fifth minute and landed awkwardly. After attempting to return to the fray, he was replaced by Guillaume Beuzelin nine minutes later.

The French substitute would become a pleasing influence in the Hibs team, his intelligent probing and often accurate passing perfectly complementing much of the harmonious of many of his teammates.

But Hibs' continuing ascendancy was certainly made easier by a Hearts team who appeared utterly dishevelled for too much of the time. Malofeev, having watched his team generally outplay Celtic last Saturday with his 4-1-4-1 deployment, would have found it hard to believe that mainly the same players could appear to disorientated.

Whatever shape the Tynecastle side were supposed to assume - and keep - was not obvious to the naked eye as they lurched around the field, apparently uncertain of the geography.

Hibs had no such problem, persistently taking the direct route to Gordon. They did, however, tend to make it difficult for themselves to extend their advantage. Too many menacing surges into space foundered on a miscued final pass or cross.

In fact, it was Jones who came close to the second when he moved up for Zemmama's free kick from the left and glanced his header marginally wide of Gordon's left-hand post. Christophe Berra had also been required to demonstrate his alertness and pace to cope with Killen, as the big striker turned quickly and threatened to go clear on his way to the Hearts goal.

Few Hearts supporters crowded into their allocated stand could have expected such an insipid performance from a team who may finally have succumbed to the effects of the directorial shenanigans that have made the Tynecastle club something of a pantomime lately.

Taken from the Scotsman