Hibs come from behind to beat Hearts at Hampden and set up League Cup final with Rangers
Martin Boyle and Jamie McGrath cancelled out Claudio Braga's early header as Hibs beat their Edinburgh rivals at the national stadium for the first time, earning Marink Reedijk his first win.
Hampden Park from the air. File photo. · Photograph: Dan Kearney, cropped by Blackcat (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Hibernian came from behind to beat Hearts 2-1 in the Scottish League Cup semi-final at Hampden, setting up a final against Rangers on Sunday 13 December.
It was the first time Hibs have beaten Hearts at the national stadium, after defeats in 2006, 2012, 2020 and 2022, and it gave new head coach Marink Reedijk his first win since taking charge.
Early shock
Hearts went ahead after just four minutes when Claudio Braga was left unmarked to head home.
Hibs keeper Beau Reus denied Felix Passlack an almost immediate equaliser, and Jamie McGrath blazed a good chance over the bar, but Hibs grew into the game and deservedly levelled through Martin Boyle, who slid a smart finish under the goalkeeper. The Hearts fans behind the goal hoped VAR would rule it out for offside, but the goal stood. It was Boyle's sixth goal against Hearts.
McGrath seals it
Joe Newell, who was excellent throughout, hit the crossbar, and when his powerful shot fell kindly McGrath fired Hibs in front.
Hearts' injury problems worsened during the match. Tomas Magnusson was unable to continue after a head knock and Calvin Miller went off and was later seen in a leg brace. Head coach Wouter Vrancken now has ten or more players injured.
Silverware in sight
Hibs have not won a major trophy in more than a decade. They go into the final having been bottom of the Premiership, and against a Rangers side unbeaten in 11 matches who beat Aberdeen 1-0 in Saturday's semi-final.
For Hibs fans, the result is a welcome boost after a difficult start to the season. For Hearts, whose 23,000 supporters filled one end of Hampden, it adds to a frustrating spell of injuries and results.