Heart of Midlothian

Greg Playfair
Fan writer

Where do you begin with that deflating defeat to Hibs?

When Tomas Magnusson went off with concussion, 23,000 Jambos had another headache - who was left to play central midfield?

Wouter Vrancken was already down to the bare bones. His options almost felt like Gary Locke, Agnes the tea lady or Yan Dhanda. By half-time, with Hearts 2-1 down, a few of us would have welcomed Agnes warming up.

That is not blaming Dhanda. But midfield was always going to be a pivotal battle and asking him - a delicate attacking playmaker - and a half-fit Laurent Mendy to contend with Josh Mulligan, Miguel Chaiwa and derby veteran Joe Newell left us outnumbered where it mattered.

The opening half was among the meekest derby showings I can remember. Coming just two weeks after that dreadful first 45 minutes at Celtic Park, it was doubly concerning.

An unprecedented number of injuries and relentless schedule explain fatigue. They do not make it any easier to understand why we looked so flat from the start.

Vrancken cannot control the injury list, but he can influence when he turns to his bench. Derek McInnes said last season the data encouraged leaving players on as long as possible. I wonder whether that Jamestown thinking is still shaping decisions. Whatever the explanation, changes are coming too late.

At 2-1 down in a semi-final, why wait until the 84th minute to introduce James Wilson as a second striker? Replacing Sabah Kerjota with teenage debutant Aron Benjaminsen also felt like swapping one diminutive inverted winger for another when the game needed something different.

It was crying out for physicality. Pierre Landry Kabore not getting a minute in the past two matches is a head-scratcher.

Kabore should be at least third in the striking pecking order behind Claudio Braga and Wilson. With doubts growing over whether lower-league recruits Amadou Ba-Sy and JJ Williams can make the step up, he deserves more opportunities.

Nobody is suggesting we write off Thursday's European trip to Thun. But I would give an academy midfielder a chance and rest a few tired legs with Sunday's important league clash against Falkirk in mind.

Going into the international break still in third place matters. Slip down the table and we face two weeks of stewing over it - plenty of time for some Jambos to overreact and reach for the panic button.

With injured players working their way back to fitness, Vrancken should soon have more options. For now, though, Hearts need a response this week - something to restore a bit of pride and send supporters into the break feeling better about their team.

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Swiss champions Thun prepared for Thursday's Conference League visit by Hearts with a stunning fightback from 4-1 down to beat Lausanne-Sport 5-4 and end a run of five games without a victory.

Gian-Luca Privitelli's side scored four times in the final 20 minutes just when it looked like they might suffer a humiliating defeat away to the side sitting bottom of the Swiss Super League.

Striker Furkan Dursun headed Thun ahead after only 12 minutes.

But the hosts were determined to celebrate their 130th anniversary with a victory and hit back through an Omar Janneh penalty following a hand ball, then the Spanish forward added their second in first-half stoppage time.

On-loan Lyon forward Enzo Molebe extended the lead after 53 minutes before right-back Lucien Dahler deflected into his own net just past the hour mark.

However, Thun got back into the game when former Lausanne forward Brighton Labeau headed home after goalkeeper Melvin Mastil had saved centre-back Marco Burki's free-kick.

Striker Riccardo Braschi slotted another after 81 minutes and, five minutes later, home centre-back Karim Sow deflected a Fabio Fehr cross into his own net to level the scores.

The winner would come six minutes into stoppage time when the ball fell to Labeau from a Braschi cross for a victory that nevertheless leaves Thun sitting ninth of the 12 teams, a massive 21 points behind leaders Lugano.

Victory comes as a timely boost as Thun seek their first Conference League points after single-goal defeats by Twente and Hajduk Split.

We asked for your views after Hearts suffered defeat to city rivals Hibernian in their Premier Sports Cup semi-final.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Russell: Those injuries happened at the worst possible time. Hibs were able to sit back and, to be fair, coped well with the pressure and saw out the game. Massively disappointing, but when you have 11 players out, this will happen.

Jim: Difficult to make any assessment of a team depleted by a growing injury list. I fully agree with the manager's view that you could put together a very competitive side with the players on the injury list. With such a full programme from now until Christmas, the prospect of further injuries cannot be ruled out. With no prospect of recruitment until January 2027, we could be calling up youngsters to patch up the team. What the management team can come up with to hold the team together over the next couple of months will determine our season.

Alan: Hearts were totally in control until the injury to Tomas Magnusson. I think that unsettled the team, as they seemed to lose confidence, and Hibs took full advantage. The injuries are going to cost Hearts big time, as other teams will also take advantage of the depleted squad.

George: Very painful defeat, but I believe we won't be suffering many more of these results. The future for Hearts in the not-too-distant future is bright. I believe more than I ever have in the management of our great club.

David: Injuries caught up with us. Hibs were dominant for the last half-hour of the first half. Both goals had a bit of good fortune about them, but they merited the lead. Hearts dominated the second half, but the ball just wouldn't drop. Had they scored, there was only going to be one winner. The boys battled to the end, and Sabri Guendouz had his best game in a maroon shirt. No complaints - we'll be back.

Niall: The game changed as soon as Magnusson went off. Gaps appeared and Hibs exploited them. The squad has been decimated by injuries, and there is little left on the bench. It was the wrong decision to bring on Yan Dhanda, and Claudio Braga should have gone off midway through the second half.

Resilient Hibernian came from behind to beat depleted Hearts for the first time at Hampden - and earn manager Marink Reedijk a maiden win - to set up a Scottish League Cup final with Rangers next month.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

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Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken: "We started the game well, managed to go 1-0 ahead but the moment Tomas Magnusson got injured, there were some hesitations.

"The second half was much better, you saw them have the belief to try to score a goal, it's just a pity they didn't get rewarded for that.

"When Tomas Magnusson came off the doctor gave the sign he succeeded in the [concussion] protocol but then he came to me to go back on the pitch and I just saw him not finding his balance anymore, it was not possible to put him back on the pitch. It's a pity because he was good in the game and you lose an important asset.

"It's difficult to say now because he [Calvin Miller] feels it still in the outside of his knee. The brace is a precaution so it doesn't get worse but we'll wait for the scans.

"We've got 10 guys who are injured, I've never seen that in my whole career. If you put them together you have a pretty good team that could play in the Premiership.

"It's a missed opportunity but you can't go back in time and try to do better because in cup games anything can happen to decide the game, for us it was two bad injuries."

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Do not to expect "the highest-quality encounter" at Hampden Park, but with two new managers at the helm who are known for a more attacking style, could we be in for a cracker on Sunday?

So pondered The Herald football writer Stephen McGowan on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

Hearts' Wouter Vrancken and counterpart Marink Reedijk will both make their first appearance at Hampden for Sunday's Premier Sports Cup semi-final.

Vrancken will be looking to maintain his perfect Edinburgh derby record following a 3-1 victory at Easter Road earlier in the season.

Despite Hearts' recent injury issues, McGowan believes Hearts have plenty to be positive about against their city rivals at Hampden.

"It's a really tough time for them injury wise and yet they are somehow managing to defy that," he said.

"I think they'll be pretty happy with where they are just now and I think they'll fancy their chances going to Hampden.

"I think they would usually fancy their chances against Hibs anyway, but they seem to be in quite a good place just now.

"If you look at the likes of Josh McPake and so on, there's a lot to be positive about for Hearts."

Reedijk is still searching for that elusive first win as Hibs boss and Scott Allan views this as a "huge opportunity" for Reedijk to win the fans round.

"Hibs will be looking at it as a huge opportunity to maybe start building some momentum," the former Hibs midfielder added.

"But they do come up against Hearts, who, for me, in that final third, look a lot more devastating than what Hibs are and they've definitely showed that this season."

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Hearts are optimistic that Rogers Mato will shrug off the muscle issue that forced the versatile winger off in midweek, while centre-half Stuart Findlay returned to training on Friday after a groin injury.

Harry Milne, Christian Borchgrevink, Oisin McEntee, Ageu, Craig Halkett, Blair Spittal and Tom Renaud remain out.

Hibs forward Martin Boyle returns after illness and midfielder Callum Wright could be fit for a place on the bench.

However, Nathan Lowe, Jacob Devaney, Kanayo Megwa, Rocky Bushiri and Jordan Obita are still out.

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Wouter Vrancken has been speaking to the media before Hearts face Edinburgh rivals Hibs in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden on Sunday (15:00 GMT).

Here are the main lines from the Tynecastle boss:

• Rogers Mato is a doubt after being forced off against Rangers, but his muscle injury is "not looking too bad". Stuart Findlay has returned to training.

• Vrancken's first experience of the Edinburgh derby - the 3-1 victory at Easter Road last month - was "nice, especially because we won" but Sunday will be a "totally different game" as Hibs now have a new manager, new style and it's an "all or nothing" cup tie.

• While the Belgian is relishing the intense rivalry, he warns Hearts not too get caught up in the emotion of the occasion and focus their intensity and energy on the match.

• Vrancken says it's "amazing" Hearts are taking 23,000 fans to Hampden and adds: "We know the weight of the game and we want to win for sure for the fans who are supporting us already all year in the good and difficult moments."

• Injury-hit Hearts have to go "full force" against struggling Hibs, with Vrancken "so happy" to see players stepping up and playing different positions amid a challenging run of fixtures.

• Reaching the final would give Hearts "extra energy and confidence". Vrancken adds: "Now we have to just focus on putting the energy in that [semi-final] game because it will be a tough game. And we have strong belief but we have to show it on the pitch on Sunday."

• Vrancken's only previous trip to Hampden was a short visit around 30 years ago with Belgium Under-21s.

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Hearts winger Josh McPake is eyeing another career highlight at Hampden on Sunday four weeks on from making his Scotland debut at the national stadium.

The 25-year-old made an eye-catching contribution off the bench as he won his first cap in the 2-1 Nations League defeat at home to Slovenia on October 6.

This weekend McPake will return to Hampden intent on victory over Edinburgh rivals Hibs in Sunday's League Cup semi-final.

"It would be up there," said McPake of the prospect of reaching his first major final. "I think making my Scotland debut was certainly the top, but that would be something that would be amazing for myself, especially with the journey I've been on."

McPake can draw on positive recent memories of facing Hibs after he crowned his impressive performance with a goal in the 3-1 derby win at Easter Road in early September.

"Obviously that was a good performance from the team," he said. "I played well and all the lads play well.

"I think when we all play well, the individuals show. It's more of a team thing, making sure we do well as a team and then the individuals can shine."

As McPake's star rises following his move from St Johnstone in the summer, the winger feels he has become a marked man, with some opponents doubling up on him while he has also found himself on the receiving end of some robust challenges.

"Yeah, I do feel that," he said. "I think just naturally the way I play it's going to be tough in terms of fouls and physicality.

"I like to be physical in the game, so I think that's part and parcel of the way I play. There's nothing I can really do about it."

We asked for your views after injury-hit Hearts were denied victory over Rangers by an 89th-minute equaliser on Derek McInnes' return to Tynecastle.

Here are some of your comments:

Jim: A great display by Hearts, the players gave their all and were unlucky not to get all three points. Great fighting spirit, roll on Sunday.

John: I'm proud of the fight and passion the boys showed against Rangers. There were positives to take from the performance and you can see the effort and desire is there. But at the same time, it's frustrating because we need to be more clinical in front of goal and cut out the mistakes at the back. These are the games where the fine margins matter, and we can't afford to switch off.

George: Hearts dominating Rangers is no great surprise, we now have a much better coach and were lucky McInnes left.

Jay: It would have been nice to have a come-from-behind win, but given our injury list is as long as the Royal Mile, players having to play out of position all over the park, and other results, I'll take that. Keep fighting lads!

Grahame: Gutted. Rangers sneak a draw with help from the referee. We get into great positions and then constantly fluff our lines. Game was there for the taking and we only have ourselves (and the referee) to blame.

Liam: With all our issues in terms of injuries and playing every three days I'd have taken a draw against a Rangers team that cost tens of millions to put together. The reality is Rangers sneaked out the back door with a point in their bag. Now on to Hibs where no complacency will be tolerated.

Watch highlights from a night of drama at Tynecastle as Hearts and Rangers share four goals. Available to UK users only.

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Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken: "We've lost two points. We deserved to win. We played a really good first half, made a little mistake and it cost us.

"After that we made up for it with the performance. For me it was never a foul [in the lead-up to the Rangers equaliser]. I don't know why he blows the whistle.

"This team keeps believing, when you see the situation we are in. We have extra games, one day less recovery, all those things matter. When you see them battle and fight for each other, that's the pleasure I have as a coach."

On Rogers Matos' first-half injury: "We don't know [the severity] yet. We have to wait for the scan."

And on that handshake with Derek McInnes: "I don't know, you have to ask him. For me, win, draw or lose, everybody works hard on the side and does the best they can, then you have to have a handshake at the end like good colleagues do."

Olwethu Makhanya's late header rescued a Scottish Premiership point for Rangers and ensured they did not lose more ground on leaders Celtic on a hostile return to Hearts for manager Derek McInnes.

Have your say on the game

Read our match report

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We asked you where the season-ending ACL injury to versatile left-back Harry Milne leaves Hearts and whether they have the depth to cope without him.

Here are some of your comments:

Paul: Very sad for Harry, who was building back to his best attacking form and beginning to really impact matches at both ends of the pitch. Harry had formed a great relationship with James McPake down the left side. I wish him a really speedy and comprehensive recovery - hopefully 2027 will see him return with a vengeance for Hearts and Harry can once again be seen as one of the best and most consistent homegrown players in the league.

Steve: Harry has not been near the level he produced last year and Steven Kingsley is a fantastic player - when he stays fit - so we have limited cover in house. Beni Baningime and Joe Aribo would be worth looking at in terms of free agency to help in the engine room until January.

John: The single worst thing about the club is our scarcely believable injury record. I can't imagine there is a club anywhere in world football with a worse record. It's been going on for over 10 years now. Nothing has been done about it. A record this bad can't just be down to bad luck.

Skye: Never-ending injuries, I would say the situation needs looked at in detail but we have been saying this for years. Harry has had a slow start to this season so happy for Stephen Kingsley to step in. Joe Aribo knows this league and would give us cover in midfield so I'm surprised his name hasn't been in contention.

Haddy: The news about Milne is as unwelcome as McInnes is at Tynecastle tonight.

Jola: Losing any squad player naturally leaves a void, that's why you have youngsters ready for that chance. Hearts will strengthen, they have to as the bar and expectations have been raised. I'm not saying they'll win the league but I expect them to get stronger and be challenging more frequently with time under this regime.

Tennent: This further proves my point, why are we not signing free agents? We're lucky if we have any defenders left healthy by the end of the season!

• Rangers boss Derek McInnes has won just one of his past 10 Scottish Premiership away games at former side Hearts (D4 L5), a 2-1 victory with Kilmarnock in October 2024.

• Hearts have won three of their past four league games against Rangers (L1), as many as their previous 31 in the top flight beforehand (W3 D6 L22).

• Rangers have lost both of their past two league visits to Hearts, last losing more in a row in March 1986 (4).

• Hearts have won 11 consecutive home league games by an aggregate score of 25-4. Indeed, Hearts are unbeaten in 25 league matches at Tynecastle (W21 D4) since a 1-0 defeat to Dundee in April 2025.

• Rangers have only lost one of their past 14 midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games (W10 D3), a 2-1 defeat to Hibs in May last season.