Hearts V Hibernian (Tynecastle Park 12/09/2021)

Hearts V Hibernian – Cinch Scottish Premiership (12/09/2021)

Safe to say I was up before my alarm went off this morning as I definitely had the Edinburgh Derby day buzz. Decided to not get the bus into Glasgow to then get the train to Haymarket, I instead opted for a taxi to Easterhouse and get the train from there. The train was busy but due to it being the 1000 train it was a lot quieter than the train I got on for the Aberdeen game. A bloke sitting opposite me must have noticed my nerves/excitement as he leant over and offered me a beer to settle the nerves, I politely declined as I don’t drink but it’s nice to see there are some decent folk out there. Passed my time on the hour long train journey by listening to the fantastic “Scarves Around The Funnel” podcast, as I was a week behind I really enjoyed the episode about Foundation Of Hearts and how the fans saved the club.

Before heading round to the entrance I went into the club shop and as I left I bumped into Hearts legend Gary Locke, who’s a great guy. My seat was moved again for the game dude to CoVid protocols, but this time luckily I wasn’t sat behind the goal and I was only 2 blocks down from where my usual season ticket seat is in the Wheatfield Stand in Block F. As I got round to the Wheatfield Stand I was met by a massive queue to get into the ground with over half an hour till kick off.

I got into the ground with 15 minutes till the game started and the queue for the snack bar was pretty big, the fact I had to find my seat meant that I decided to wait for a pie and drink till the game began when it quietened down. Decided on a steak pie and a Fanta, which set me back £5.80, the pie came in a nice little cardboard case which meant minimal mess but I felt the pastry on the pie was a little dry and too crispy for me.

A good atmosphere had been created before kick off with both sets of fans in full voice, the feeling in the stadium was great and added to the buzz I woke up with this morning. Was pleasantly surprised that when I took my seat, the old man I usually sit next to in Block D was in the seat next to me. It’s weird that we don’t know each other’s name or anything about each other but for 90 minutes we talk all things Hearts and you’d think we had know each other for years, safe to say I’ve missed sitting with him since last February, it made things seem a bit more normal.

A decent first half and had that lively derby game feel to it, some good football and both teams not scared to attack. Hearts were creating well through the middle with Woodburn and Baningime being standouts. As always the SFA officials left a lot to be desired as they made some comical errors against both sides. It’s good to have a keeper like Gordon in between the sticks as a few times he kept the scores level at halftime, and it gives us confidence knowing he’s our last line of defence.

Second half continued at the same pace with both sides going for it but it felt like Hearts had the better of the possession and also the chances as Gary Mackay-Steven had two decent chances. When Ginnelly and McKay came off the bench they both looked like causing Hibs problems but neither side could find a breakthrough and the first Edinburgh derby of the season ended in a 0-0 draw. I disagreed with the sponsors Man Of The Match as they went with Craig Gordon, who had a great game but I had to give it to the impressive Baningime who was solid in the tackle, crated through the middle and looked hungry for the full 90 minutes.

I said before the game that I thought it would be a draw, the way plenty of previous recent Edinburgh derby games have gone. I might sound a little biased but I think in the second half the game was for the taking for Hearts but at times the Jambos were lacking with that final ball, be it in to the box or getting the shot off. A draw still means Hearts are unbeaten in the league and with 11 points, which is a good position to be in after 5 opening games.

So onto my ratings…

Ticket Price – Season Ticket

Programme Price – £3.50

Programme Rating – 8/10

Refreshments – 5/10

Stadium Facilities – 7/10

Getting To Stadium – 8/10

Stadium Rating – 8/10

Thanks for reading my thoughts on Hearts against Hibs.

Daz Carding