Hearts 1 Hibernian 0: Plus points all with the Tynecastle side

ONE of Pat Fenlon's many problems is the fact Hearts are on -12 points and still feel able to look down on Hibernian.

The spectre of relegation hangs over both Edinburgh clubs this season but it is impossible to miss the sense that Hearts' 15-point deduction for being in administration has given them a cause. Hibs have handicaps of their own, namely an unimpressive squad and a manager whose credibility is dissolving.

Tynecastle reverberated to chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning" raining down on Fenlon. That is not likely to be realised but views are hardening towards the Hibs manager as the evidence mounts that his team is mired in mediocrity. This was the first derby they had lost in the six played since the 5-1 William Hill Scottish Cup final but it was one loaded with significance given the recent 7-0 mauling by Malmo. The club fell into a depression that night and nothing has happened since to lift it.

The season is in its infancy but Hibs' record is awful: played four, lost four, conceded 11, scored none. Losing a derby always hurts but what made this one so painful for the away support - tellingly, they did not fill the whole of the Roseburn Stand - was how ordinary their men looked against an inexperienced Hearts team which, in theory, was vulner­able.

It was not that Hibs lacked commitment or aggression, or looked as though they were not playing for their manager. None of that was the case. But there was no craft or invention about them, no sense that they could impose themselves or dictate against a team with such little derby experience.

Fenlon was allowed to make eight signings over the close season and Jimmy Nicholl was added to the coaching staff, neither of which are the actions of a club on the brink of dismissing its manager. This dreadful start to the season has accelerated Fenlon towards headlines about crisis and questions about whether he can survive, yet it would be a surprise if the chairman Rod Petrie does not dig in and give him more time to improve.

If Hearts are to have any chance of survival this season the key to it will be creating a sense of momentum. The first target is to get the minus figure into single figures, then to zero, and then claw back whichever team is in 11th. This was the start. They face Partick Thistle away on Friday, then Aberdeen at home, then Inverness Caledonian Thistle away. Their campaign, and their momentum, will stand or fall on what happens at Tynecastle.

Most teams which visit this season will be better than Hibernian but the vigour, aggression and fight Hearts brought to the derby will yield many more points if their young boys can repeat it as the season unfolds. The average age of the team is about to become even younger because Ryan Stevenson suffered knee ligament damage here which will keep him out for weeks or perhaps months.

Stevenson hurt himself in one of the countless 50-50 challenges, then had to admit defeat and be substituted after only 13 minutes. That left only Jamie Hamill as an experienced outfield player and he had a fine game. The rest? Dylan McGowan is 22, Danny Wilson and Scott Robinson 21, Kevin McHattie, Jason Holt, Brad McKay and David Smith 20.

The youngest outfield starter won it: Callum Paterson is just 18 but what strength and quality he showed when rising to bullet a header into the net from McGowan's right-wing cross 18 minutes from time.

Spare a thought for the ball. It took a merciless battering in what never rose above an ugly, scrappy derby. There was no care shown towards the poor thing from either side. There was barely a move from either team that extended beyond three passes, and many of those were the sort of dangerous hospital balls that led to thunderous challenges and players going down hurt.

The Hearts fans were particularly aggrieved by some robust Hibernian tackling but both sides were guilty of aggressive challenges, niggly fouls and trips. By the end each team had four yellow cards and the ball was bleeding.

In the second half, Hibernian had a little more joy in opening up the Hearts back four but still did far too little to work Jamie MacDonald. Scott Robertson and signing James Collins put shots across the goal and wide. Liam Craig got down the left and put a ball across the six-yard box for Tom Taiwo, who scooped it hopelessly over the bar. For t he most part Hearts' young back four was impressively solid.

Hamill had tried a couple of shots at Ben Williams which did not really ask the goalkeeper any questions. Eventually he caught one cleanly and his 25-yard drive was rising towards a top corner until Williams leapt to save. There had not been much to worry Hibs until Paterson's wonderful header. But they are worried now.

Taken from the Herald