Hearts manager Derek McInnes last night hailed his last-gasp derby heroes — and admitted he wants them to hammer home their growing reputation as a side that keeps going right to the death.
The Tynecastle outfit surged five points clear at the head of the Premiership thanks to defender Craig Halkett scoring two minutes into time added-on to secure a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Hibs.
That’s three times this term that the Gorgie outfit have netted in the dying moments to take the spoils and he wants that never-say-die spirit to become part of their ID as they bid to build on an outstanding start to the campaign.
‘Listen, we’re seven league games in, we’ve had three last-minute winners. To get that in the derby game is even more pleasing,’ said McInnes.
‘I think the supporters always feel that there’s maybe something going to happen. We feel that. We always feel as if we’re going to get a chance.
‘And while we’ve got that, when you get last-minute winners, it becomes a pattern and it becomes part of what you are.
Craig Halkett races off, arms outstretched, after helping his side claim all three points
Derek McInnes said it was a ‘beautiful sight’ to see the reaction of Tynecastle to the winner
Halkett’s timing is impeccable as he arrives at the back post to drill home the derby-day winner
‘I think that can be worth so many points. It can be the difference — and I loved such a beautiful sight as Tynecastle like that, the noise.
‘When we get the goal, there’s a lovely floaty pass across from Sabah (Kerjota), and it was a lovely finish from Halkett. His timing is magnificent and I know he was a striker to trade, but it’s a brilliant finish. It was a brilliant moment to separate the two teams.’
With Celtic playing Motherwell at Parkhead today and due to visit Tynecastle on league business on October 26, McInnes is continuing to play down talk of a title challenge amid an environment in which so many neutrals are willing them on to break the old order.
‘Yeah, there’s a lot willing, but there’s also a lot dying for us to fall flat on our face, let’s be honest,’ stated McInnes, who revealed that record signing Ageu will be available for the game against Kilmarnock after the international break.
‘There’s so many who don’t think this is anything other than just a little period here. It may well be that, but we’re just concentrating on the games.
‘We’re only seven games in, the league’s in its infancy. Whether teams are doing poorly at the minute or whether teams are doing well, it’s far too early to be making any judgments on how a team plays, but we’ll enjoy it while it’s here.
The Tynecastle fans are beginning to dream of a sensational title challenge this season
‘I think there’s nothing wrong with the supporters getting excited. I think they see the manner in which the team play and I think they’re getting a bit of encouragement from Jamestown Analytics.
‘Obviously, we’ve been well backed in the past, and continue to be with James Anderson and Tony Bloom’s investment, and we’ve got good solid board members here with Mrs Budge and all the rest of it.
‘The club’s on a good footing at the minute, but, ultimately, it’s still about players. It’s still about boys trying to win a game of football, and we have been good enough so far to win games, but a lot of the games have been tight.
‘We’re not blowing teams away 4-0 and 5-0. The Scottish Premier League is so tight and there’s not a lot between a lot of teams.
‘That’s where we’re at. We are going to have to keep improving and it is our job to try to do that.’
Claudio Braga is held at bay by Jordan Obita in a match that was short on quality moments
Hibs boss David Gray, meanwhile, was angered by the concession of the late goal and insists things have to pick up quickly with his side having managed just one win in seven league games.
‘Second half, I thought we carried the biggest threat,’ said Gray. ‘But the goal we lose is inexcusable. It is a really, really poor goal to lose at that stage of the game.
‘The cross comes in. Can we do more to stop it? Probably. When the ball is in the air, you have to stay in the line, stay with your man, stay goalside and have that desire to make sure you get your head on it first.
‘It should be defended better at the back post.’
