Hearts manager Derek McInnes has issued a stark demand for his team to return to fundamental principles after a damaging 3-2 Edinburgh derby defeat to Hibernian at Easter Road.
Basic Errors Prove Costly in Derby Defeat
The Tynecastle side found themselves three goals down just after half-time, with Kieron Bowie among the scorers for Hibs. McInnes expressed clear frustration at the manner of the goals conceded, particularly their timing at the start of each half.
"To lose the goals we did in the early part of each half, three or four minutes into each half, it was a real blow," McInnes stated. He pinpointed a failure in basic defensive duties: "We don't stop a switch of play, we don't stop a cross and we don't match a run."
Despite a spirited late fightback sparked by captain Lawrence Shankland and midfielder Cammy Devlin, Hearts fell short. Hibs goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger made two crucial late saves to preserve the home side's lead.
McInnes Bemoans First-Hour Performance
The Hearts boss was scathing in his assessment of his team's performance for the majority of the match, contrasting it sharply with their recent form. "We have loads of applause this season about how we play, the goals we score, the individual element of our team, but we didn't do the basics well enough today. It's as simple as that," he admitted.
McInnes emphasised that his team's success this season has been built on simplicity, not flamboyance. "We've got where we've got this season, not by being Barcelona... but by doing the basics well and playing from that. We didn’t do that well enough."
He acknowledged that the team's body language suffered after conceding the third goal, a situation they are unaccustomed to, but praised their character in mounting a comeback.
Looking Ahead: Transfers and Fixtures
Looking forward, McInnes confirmed that Kazakh winger Islam Chesnokov is expected to arrive this week following visa delays. He also revealed the club is "quite far down the line with one or two other things" regarding January signings.
With the defeat being only their second in the league this campaign, McInnes sought perspective: "If we have two defeats in the next 19 games that we have, then we've had an unbelievable season." Hearts now face a run of games against Livingston, Dundee, and St Mirren.
Gray Hails Hibs' Statement Victory
For victorious Hibs boss David Gray, the derby win represented a crucial "statement win" for a side seeking consistency. He praised his players' aggressive start and timing of their goals.
"What had eluded us this season is probably that statement win," Gray said. "This is what we needed... we need to use this as a big opportunity."
Gray also highlighted the emotional power of the club anthem 'Sunshine on Leith', played after significant victories, as a driving force. "What I truly love about the song is you need to earn it," he remarked, urging his players to use the feeling as motivation for the second half of the season.
