Hibs eye derby lift after 1-1 stalemate with Dundee United
Hibs sit fifth as Edinburgh rivals Hearts loom; a derby win could spark a late-season push after a draw that offered little in attack
Hibs’ season has yet to take off, but all is not lost. A win over bitter rivals Hearts in the Edinburgh derby could provide the boost they desperately need. After a 1-1 draw at Tannadice on Saturday that stretched their tally to seven draws in 18 league games, fans were left yearning for a statement result as the campaign dragged on.
The meeting with Dundee United finished level, with Luca Stephenson opening the scoring for United before Martin Boyle struck seven minutes before halftime to restore parity. A breakthrough moment for Hibs appeared imminent when debutant Zach Mitchell headed a crossbar effort soon after, but the pendulum swung back and the second half failed to light the touchpaper. Hibs controlled the first 45 minutes, enjoying more possession and chances than their hosts, only to fade after the break and leave with another share of the spoils.
The second half offered little in the way of clear-cut chances for Hibs. Thibault Klidje, brought on to replace the injured or otherwise ineffective Boyle, did force a moment of danger in behind United’s rearguard with 16 minutes remaining, his clipped effort saved by Dave Richards before being booted away by Sam Cleall-Harding. Fellow substitute Dylan Levitt also spurned a late opportunity, drilling wide from the edge of the box after a neat turn.
Klidje is reaching a critical stage in his Hibs career. The club’s record signing, arriving for £1 million from Luzern, has started five Premier League games this season, delivering two goals and one assist. That return sits uncomfortably against the fee, and with his 24th birthday approaching, the pressure for him to deliver has grown. In the stand, Boyle and Hibs have had an indifferent campaign, but a victory over Hearts could spark a much-needed reset as the New Year approaches. Bowie, too, has work to do; three goals in his last 15 games won’t earn him the consistency required for a sustained push or for a spot at international level.
Still, the squad’s potential remains evident. Boyle and Jack Iredale are considered contenders for international duty should form improve, while the broader group includes players with Scotland, Canada, DR Congo and Austria links who may benefit from improved results. For many at Hibs, the opportunity to “grab the thistle and spark the season properly into life” remains tangible, even if the path there is yet unclear.
There are broader questions about Hibs’ direction this season. The break-up with Bill Foley’s Black Knight group in November has fed speculation about strategic clarity at the club, even as head coach David Gray has steadied the ship and kept the team in contention. With the teams above them still within reach, fifth place remains a reasonable mid-table position given resources, but it also underscored the need for a swift run of performances to translate potential into points.
Looking ahead, Saturday’s Edinburgh derby at Easter Road looms large. A home win over Hearts would not only provide a timely lift but also propel Hibs into the new year with momentum, while delivering a blow to their nearest rivals in a campaign that has otherwise failed to produce the big statement results. The derby, always fierce in the capital, offers a pressure-valve moment that could recalibrate expectations for the remainder of the season.
Beyond the domestic horizon, several Hibs players carry the possibility of nods from national teams. Grant Hanley remains well-placed to travel with Scotland, while Junior Hoilett’s recent Canada call-back highlights the varied ambitions within the squad. Rocky Bushiri is part of the DR Congo setup for the African Cup of Nations, and Jamie McGrath has been on the Ireland radar ahead of their March playoff with the Czech Republic. Keeper Raphael Sallinger has spoken of his ambition to win an Austria call-up if his form and circumstances align. The season’s next weeks will test whether this group can translate potential into results on the field and, in turn, elevate their international stock.
For now, Hibs fans will cling to the possibility that a derby win could ignite the campaign and restore belief that last season’s late surge can be emulated. The schedule remains unforgiving, but the path to a positive end to 2024-25 remains within reach if the team can find the clinical edge in the final third and maintain the control they showed in the opening period of the Dundee United match.