Heart of Midlothian

ARE HEARTS DESTINED TO WIN THE TITLE? 🏆

It was a seismic weekend in the hunt for the Scottish Premiership crown. Are you rejoicing, are you quietly optimistic, or are you chucking it?

Join the debate with Ray Bradshaw at 18:00 BST TONIGHT on the BBC Sport Scottish Football YouTube channel, external to give us your views in the chat. The show is fully interactive, so have your say.

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Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga have been recognised for their stellar seasons for Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts by being shortlisted for PFA Scotland's player of the year.

Shankland could claim the prize for the second time after winning the award two years ago for a standout 2023-24 campaign.

Despite enduring a spell out with injury, the Hearts captain has managed to score 13 goals and provide four assists in 25 league games.

Meanwhile, summer signing Braga has featured in each of his side's 34 league matches, scoring 14 times and setting up another five in an impressive debut season in Scotland.

With the duo nominated alongside Motherwell attackers Tawanda Maswanhise and Elijah Just, who are you backing to win the prize and why? Send us your thoughts.

Hearts will believe they are destined to win the Scottish Premiership title after Sunday's dramatic winner against Hibernian, according to Scotland legend James McFadden.

Blair Spittal's late goal earned Derek McInnes' side a 2-1 win at Easter Road and took them three points clear of Celtic at the top of the table.

They host third-place Rangers next Monday - a game which McFadden says is crucial for maintaining their feel-good factor.

"People have been waiting for Hearts to bottle it all season," McFadden said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"There's no way they're going to bottle it. Even if Hearts don't win the league, it's not because they've bottled it. They've dealt with pressure.

"Every team's dealt with injuries, but Hearts at the top of the table have dealt with people expecting them to drop results, performances - they've expected them to fall away and they're still there.

"I think they'll start to believe it's written for them. I just think they'll feel that things have fallen into place for them, that they've got the momentum, the impetus to go and take advantage of it.

"If they win next week, they can almost put Rangers to the side because then Celtic need to play Rangers and they will be hoping probably for a draw

"For Hearts to maintain the kind of feeling, they'll feel like they have to win against Rangers next week."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

GK: Jerome Prior - Livingston

Five big saves of every variety to keep St Mirren at bay as Livingston finally earned a long-awaited victory.

RB: Stephen O'Donnell - Motherwell

Having a wonderful season under Jens Berthel Askou. Asked to play on the left and wasn't an issue. Two assists for the former Scotland international, who can easily slot into right-back for me here.

CB: Ryan McGowan - Livingston

Did all the unfashionable graft a centre-back has to do at times to earn his side a seldom seen three points.

CB: Kieran Tierney - Celtic

Seven goals for club and country this season. Another rasper against Falkirk.

LB: Emmanuel Longelo - Motherwell

Unleashed in a further forward role than left-back, but he can slot in there easily for me here. What a player he has been all season. Two huge goals as Motherwell underlined their kingmaker credentials in this incredible title race.

CM: Blair Spittal - Hearts

Off the bench to score what could be one of the most pivotal winners of the season for Hearts at Easter Road.

CM: Callum Slattery - Motherwell

Back from suspension and exemplified the quality Motherwell showed in abundance at Ibrox.

RW: Sabah Kerjota - Hearts

The Albanian was a game-changer as Derek McInnes brought him on to find the path through the stubborn Hibs defence. Kerjota duly delivered, not once but twice. His contribution to the Hearts title push was immense.

AM: Martin Boyle - Hibernian

In his last Edinburgh derby he took his goal superbly, couldn't have caught it any sweeter.

LW: Will Ferry - Dundee United

Hadn't scored a single goal for Dundee United until his strike against Celtic a few weeks ago. Now he can't stop. Great work rate and quality again from the wide man as he made all the difference in the Dundee derby.

ST: Daizen Maeda - Celtic

Like a phoenix rising from the flames, is Maeda rising at just the right time to fire Celtic to the title? Celtic's opening two goals came from his tenacity and pressing, and their third - Maeda's second - was instinctive striker play.

We asked for your thoughts after Hearts struck late to beat nine-man Hibs in Sunday's Edinburgh derby.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Frank: Sabah Kerjota could be the trump card for us in the run in. He brings a freshness of approach and other sides haven't had the opportunity to work him out. His passes and crosses have lots of variety which make him difficult for the opposition to read.

Marc: Frantic and frenetic - a huge win. Kerjota the difference today with two assists. Again the little man stepping up in huge games. Four cup finals left. Let's get it over the line and write these player's names in footballing folklore.

Noah: It was a good win to say the least. Maybe a bit sloppy at times with the final ball, but a bit of luck from the Hibs defence and a good strike from Spittal. Four games to go - believe!

Tam: The most important three points of my 64 years supporting Hearts. A fantastic result against a Hibs side who I have to admit played incredibly well despite being the masters of their own downfall. I hope Hibs win their last four games and finish fourth!

Bruce: Been watching Hearts for over 30 years and that game on Sunday was the first time I've ever felt physically sick. Credit to the players for grinding away. Thankfully we got the luck we needed and the win I felt we were good for. It will be strange wanting Hibs to win next week though.

Leaders Hearts' higher win ratio against Scottish Premiership top-six sides encourages manager Derek McInnes with four games left to play. (Record), external

McInnes hopes a strain picked up by midfielder Cammy Devlin is "nothing too serious". (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Monday's Scottish gossip

Hearts eventually saw off nine-man Hibernian in a chaotic Edinburgh derby to restore their cushion at the top of the Scottish Premiership to three points after another frantic weekend in the title race.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

Image source, SNS

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "Obviously, very unusual in the sense that you don't practice playing against nine men.

"We started the game quite well but we were sloppy with a free header at the back post, just a lack of concentration. We had it all to do.

"It's just a hopeful ball from Stephen Kingsley. Pierre Landry Kabore chases it and all of a something, it becomes something and obviously the keeper's handled it.

"Kabore was there for that reason, just to try and threaten the space in behind Hibs' back lot. Such a big moment in the game.

"Sabah Kerjota, it's perfect for him in a game like this when you know you're going to have a lot more of the ball because he is somebody who has got that guile, creativity, confidence in the final bit.

"Blair Spittal playing as an auxiliary right-back. You're just trying everything as a manager to try and make this go your way. It took a bit longer than we thought.

"When you need a big moment, your captain's there for you and we're so dependent on him, Lawrence Shankland and the bit of quality to get the equaliser. That came at the right time.

"It's all about can someone come up with the big moment? Blair Spittal scores goals like that every day in training. He's got such good quality of finishing. He should score more goals. A lot of people could slap that and snatch at it. He keeps his knee over the ball, stays calm, side foots it and it could be such an important goal.

"It's an advantage for Celtic and ourselves because we've won our games this weekend and Rangers didn't but there's another round of fixtures coming up so it can quickly change. Nothing gets decided today.

"A win in your first game [after the split] can give you confidence and impetus. The fact that we've beaten Rangers at Tynecastle already, we're unbeaten at home all season, we're confident with our work and what we do at Tynecastle.

"We know it's going to be some atmosphere. You're up against good players and good players who believe they can go and win a title as well.

"I was happy with the split fixtures and how they arrived, that we didn't have two away games back to back. Two home games, we knew we'd have to get anyway so I'd rather they were split they way they're split. We knew we'd have to win an away game. somewhere along the line and winning here, it does us no harm at all.

"It's one win ticked off, it's one round of fixtures, it counts for nothing if we can't go and back it up now."

Image source, SNS

• Hibernian have won both of their past two home league games against Hearts; they had won just one of their previous nine home Edinburgh derbies in the Scottish Premiership before this (D4 L4).

• After their 1-0 win in February, Hearts are looking to win back-to-back Scottish Premiership meetings with rivals Hibs for the first time since April 2014; this is the 28th top-flight game between the two sides since then.

• Hibs remain unbeaten in nine home league games (W6 D3), keeping a clean sheet in their last three; they haven't recorded four successive home shutouts in the top flight since December 2009 under John Hughes.

• Hearts are the first non-Old Firm club (Celtic/Rangers) to earn 70+ points in a Scottish Premiership season since Aberdeen in 2017-18 (73), while it's Hearts' most in a top-flight campaign since 2005-06 (74).

• Hearts are winless in their past four away league games (D1 L3), this after only failing to win four of their first 12 on the road in 2025-26 beforehand (W8 D2 L2).

Lawrence Shankland has reminded his Hearts team-mates that there are just three weeks standing between them and the greatest achievement of their careers as they prepare to head to Hibernian in a seismic Edinburgh derby. (Daily Record), external

Image source, SNS

Hibs defender Grant Hanley is suspended while Rudi Molotnikov, Josh Mulligan (both ankle) and Munashe Garananga (hamstring) are still out.

Hearts midfielder Marc Leonard returns from suspension and Harry Milne has a chance of being involved after three games out with a calf issue, but Oisin McEntee (hamstring) has joined Tomas Magnusson (thigh) in being ruled out for the season.

Calem Nieuwenhof (hamstring), Ageu (thigh) and Craig Gordon (shoulder) remain out.

Image source, SNS

Josh McPake backs himself to be a success next season when he makes the switch from St Johnstone to Hearts.

The 24-year-old winger has scored 19 goals this season, helping the Perth side win the Scottish Championship and promotion back to the top flight.

But it was announced in January that he had signed a pre-contract agreement to join the current Premiership leaders this summer.

"I think I am ready to take that step up," he told BBC Scotland. "I know Hearts are a massive club, but I back myself.

"I could do it here and I think I can do it at Hearts as well and we'll need to wait and see next season."

McPake was speaking after helping Saints beat Raith Rovers 2-0 on the night the Perth side were presented with the Championship trophy.

"I feel brilliant," he said. "What a result and what a season we've had.

"As a team collectively, we've been brilliant all season and this just tops it off."

McPake started his career with Rangers but had loan spells with Dundee, Greenock Morton, Harrogate, Morecambe, Tranmere Rovers and Queen's Park before finding himself released and joining Stirling Albion.

He then suffered relegation to League 2 before being snapped up by St Johnstone in June 2024.

McPake paid tribute to Simo Valakari for the manager's role in his fine season.

"This club's been absolutely brilliant for me at a time I needed it and hopefully I've repaid them," he added as he explained their warm embrace at the final whistle.

"It was emotional for me and for Simo, just for what we've done for each other."

The final Edinburgh derby of the season kicks off at 16:30 this Sunday, so what can we learn from the previous three this season?

Hearts have won two, with Hibs triumphing once, but perhaps crucially, David Gray's side's victory came at Easter Road, this weekend's venue.

Both Hearts wins were 1-0, with late goals in each game.

Whatever the result, this weekend's derby will go a long way to deciding Hearts' title fate, but Hibs are still seeking a European spot and will be desperate to derail their rivals' charge.

To whet your appetite for a mouthwatering match, watch all the highlights from the first three capital city clashes this season below.

Defender Craig Halkett ghosts in at the back post to secure a Hearts win at Tynecastle in the first Edinburgh derby of the season in early October.

Hibs raced 3-0 up at home in late December thanks to goals from Jamie McGrath, Josh Campbell and Kieron Bowie.

Hearts made it a nervy end with strikes from Lawrence Shankland and Cameron Devlin, but failed to rescue a point.

Tomas Magnusson's smart 88th-minute strike had Derek McInnes running down the touchline in celebration as Hearts maintained their title challenge.

Hearts boss Derek McInnes says his Premiership leaders are "still fighting, still believing, still swinging" as they prepare to begin the five-game post-split schedule with an Edinburgh derby against Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday.

Image source, SNS

"It's the biggest Edinburgh derby league game in my lifetime."

That's how 34-year-old Andy Halliday described Sunday's meeting between Hibernian and Hearts at Easter Road.

With five games to go, the visitors lead the Scottish Premiership by one point.

Away form has been a problem for Hearts of late, so can their rivals put a spanner in the works?

"The pressure on both sides is enormous," said Motherwell midfielder Halliday, who spent three-and-a-half years at Tynecastle.

Talking on the BBC Scottish Football Podcast, he added: "Hearts are five games from winning the title. The Hibs players are trying to stop Hearts winning the league."

Scott Allan, a former Hibs hero, echoed those thoughts, saying: "There's no getting away from how important this game is for both sets of fans.

"For Hibs, it's a chance to derail Hearts' title challenge, which is probably Hibs' fans biggest fear.

"They're on the same number of titles in their history (four) and if Hearts can do it, you can't see Hibs ever pulling that back."

Hibs, who are three points behind Motherwell in the race to finish fourth, are unbeaten in their past three home derbies, winning a 3-2 thriller in December.

Hearts have scored late goals in all three meetings with their city rivals this season, earning two tense 1-0 wins at Tynecastle.

"Hibs are putting pressure on Motherwell, who have a difficult game against Rangers, so a win could be a big boost," explained Allan, who had three spells at Easter Road, scoring in a 2018 derby victory.

"Hibs have been competitive all season, but there's been far too many draws (12).

"I think there is just so much jeopardy for Hearts."

Halliday lost in only one of the derbies he played in and thinks his old team may have an edge in the middle of the park and up front.

"Hearts have a lot of combative midfielders who play with real energy," he said. "Josh Mulligan will be a huge miss for Hibs."

"It's so difficult to call, but I look at Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga and it's hard to go against Hearts in any game."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

With just five matches remaining, the tension, nerves and anticipation are rising across the Scottish Premiership as clubs at both ends of the table brace themselves for a defining stretch of the season.

For Hearts, sitting top of the table at this late stage is exactly the scenario they would have hoped for back in August - even if few could have predicted just how firmly they would place themselves in the title conversation.

Their final push begins with perhaps the most demanding fixture of all: an Edinburgh derby away to Hibernian at Easter Road.

Of the five remaining matches, none carries more edge.

For Hibernian, there is added incentive - not only the rivalry, but the opportunity to disrupt Hearts' title ambitions while strengthening their own bid for European football next season.

For supporters, this is the fixture that matters most. A victory for Hearts would preserve their place at the summit and deal a significant blow to their rivals' hopes. Defeat, however, would hand momentum to chasing sides and leave questions hanging over the leaders at a critical moment.

Head coach Derek McInnes and his players know what is at stake. Hearts are chasing a first top-flight title since 1960 - a prize that would cement this campaign in the club's history.

Derbies of this magnitude rarely hinge solely on quality. Composure, discipline and mentality often prove decisive, particularly under the intense scrutiny that accompanies such occasions. Every challenge, every decision, every moment will be dissected.

There is no hiding place in games like this. And with so much on the line, these final five fixtures may represent the greatest test yet for this Hearts side.

By the end of May, the outcome will be clear. Whether they rise to the challenge - or fall short - will define their season.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Lawrence Shankland admits title excitement is building among the Hearts squad - but warned they can't afford another lacklustre derby showing at Easter Road on Sunday.

The Premiership leaders were three goals down after 50 minutes on their previous trip to Leith in December, with their comeback falling short in a 3-2 defeat.

This time the finishing line to a gripping title race is in sight, with five games left and Hearts holding a one-point lead over Rangers while Celtic lurk three adrift.

Shankland is wary of a Hibs side intent on dealing a blow to their high-flying rivals' glory bid.

"For large spells of that game we let ourselves down," the striker said. "For about 60 minutes we weren't at the level we needed to be.

"Once we got the first goal, we found it again and almost got something, but we probably didn't deserve it overall.

"I'm sure the boys will have taken note of how that feeling was. We know we're going to need a much better performance for 90 minutes if we're going to get a result this time.

"These games are decided by small margins. Goals change momentum, so for us it's about starting well and showing our best level. We've shown this season that when we do that, we can win a lot of matches.

"There's an excitement about the place. It's the business end of the season and it's a good position to be in. I've enjoyed it up until now and hopefully that continues.

"It's exciting but there's going to be plenty of twists and turns. But if we concentrate on our results and we pick up maximum points then there's only one place we'll be."

The Scotland international highlighted the importance of handling pressure better than in previous encounters.

"I don't think we dealt with it too well that day," he added. "Going behind is something we reflected on as a team - we could have managed it better.

"But over the season we've shown we have a strong mentality. We've come from behind, we've held leads, and we've won in different ways. That belief is there - this is just another game we need to approach in the same way."