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Hibernian beat Hearts after comeback to reach Scottish League Cup final

A 2-1 semi-final victory over Hearts sent Hibernian into the Scottish League Cup final. They recovered from an early deficit at Hampden Park. Martin Boyle and Jamie McGrath scored before half-time after Claudio Braga’s early opener. The victory was Marink Reedijk’s first as Hibernian manager. His team secured a final against Rangers at the same stadium on 13 December.

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Martin Boyle strikes Hibernian’s equaliser against Hearts at Hampden Park, with the ball, grass pitch and goalpost visible at eye level.

Boyle and McGrath reverse an early deficit

Scottish club Hibernian secured a place in the League Cup final after defeating local rivals Hearts at Hampden Park in the semi-final. Hearts struck first through Claudio Braga, but Hibernian answered twice before the interval and protected a 2-1 advantage throughout the second half. The outcome gave manager Marink Reedijk his first victory in charge of Hibernian.[2]

Braga’s fourth-minute header came from a Calvin Miller corner. Martin Boyle equalised in the 19th minute before Jamie McGrath completed the turnaround, converting the loose ball after goalkeeper Reus saved Joe Newell’s attempt. No further goals followed the interval.[1], [2]

Boyle had replaced Cadden in Hibernian’s starting side. For the equaliser, he ran on to Elding’s lofted pass and scored with a shot that entered off a post; an offside review allowed the goal. McGrath struck three minutes before half-time, following up Newell’s saved shot. There were 23 minutes between the equaliser and the winning goal.[2]

Hearts lose two players and chase an equaliser

Hearts had started with Stephen Kingsley replacing the injured Rogers Mato. Their problems grew when Magnusson suffered a head knock and was replaced by Dhanda after 15 minutes. Miller also had to come off, with Guendouz entering in the 37th minute. Braga had another headed opportunity before half-time but could not increase his tally.[1], [2]

Reus kept Hearts in contention by stopping efforts from Passlack and Ivezic, while the pursuit of an equaliser continued at the other end. Guendouz had a powerful shot turned over the bar. Hearts maintained their pressure and Braga headed wide in the 88th minute. Hibernian nevertheless held on as their opponents sought a way back into the tie.[2]

Rangers await Hibernian at Hampden

The final is scheduled for 13 December at Hampden, with Rangers having eliminated Aberdeen in the other semi-final. For Reedijk, the derby win followed a midweek 1-1 draw at St Mirren, where he took his first point at the fourth attempt and moved Hibernian off the bottom of the league. The clubs’ four earlier Hampden meetings had all ended in Hearts victories. Those matches took place in 2006, 2012, 2020 and 2022. Hibernian ended that sequence to claim the final place.[2]

References

  1. News sourceHeart of MidlothianHibernian come from behind to eliminate Hearts↩1↩2
  2. News sourceThe Irish News / Press AssociationHibernian beat Hearts to reach League Cup final↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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