Hearts v Hibs on Saturday takes on huge proportions after Wednesday’s full cinch Premiership card. There are now only two points between the sides after Hearts claimed a last minute leveller at Ibrox and Hibs beat Celtic at Easter Road.
Jambo joy at the final whistle was diluted by the result from Aberdeen who beat ten-man St Mirren 3-0 at Pittodrie with goals from Leighton Clarkson after 14 minutes and a double from Graeme Shinnie on 43 and 49 minutes to move four points clear of the Gorgie club with one game left.
Their haul of 57 points from 37 games guarantees the Dons third position in the table and St Mirren finish sixth with Hearts, on 53 points, and Hibs on 51, now vying for fourth or fifth.
Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off carries a big carrot apart from bragging rights as fourth should earn a place in the Europa Conference League qualifiers.
At Ibrox, Lawrence Shankland netted for the visitors after a minute – his 28th goal of the season – after being set up by Josh Ginnelly. A lengthy VAR check followed but the goal stood and the visitors held that lead until Todd Cantwell netted three minutes into injury time to claim his sixth goal since joining the club. James Hill slipped and Rangers capitalised and the goal tturned the game.
Fashion Sakala added a second two minutes after the re-start after another blunder in the Jambos rearguard, this time involving Toby Sibbick, but substitute Garang Kuol scored a leveller for Hearts in second-half injury time after poor defending.
Not clinching third spot is a massive blow for Hearts as they had a huge lead over Aberdeen at the end of January. They hit a losing streak which cost former boss Robbie Neilson his job and Aberdeen went on a winning run.
Back in Edinburgh, Hibs shocked Celtic, the newly-crowned champions, and Lee Johnson’s side twice came from behind against ten-man Hoops.
Hibs played well and were a constant threat despite Reo Hatate firing home from the penalty spot after 41 minutes. Youan equalised with a volley just after the break but Oh Hyeun-gyu fired Celtic 2-1 ahead in 58 minutes.
Daizen Maeda was then sent off which opened the door for the Easter Road men who took full advantage. Kevin Nisbet converted from the penalty spot after 75 minutes and Youan edged Hibs ahead for the first time after 80 minutes after a Scott Bain blunder in the Celtic goal to set up a big finish. Paul Hanlon added fourth after another mistake from Bain.
Lee Johnson (pictured), Hibs’ boss, said: “It was a brilliant game and we had a right go. First half we were good, second-half we were the dominant side.”
He admitted there were a few walking wounded but Johnston, looking at Saturday’s game, said: “We have to play our way and try to impose ourselves on a good Hearts side. It is a tight pitch, the atmosphere will be electric and we have quality in this team.
“We played well against Aberdeen, v Rangers and Celtic and the boys are feeling confident and we want to come out on the right side.”
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou, who made six changes before the game, said: “It got a bit chaotic at the end there. Until the sending off we were in a good position.”
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