Joy for Collins as Hibs win one-sided derby

JOHN COLLINS enjoyed a memorable first win as Hibernian boss as his side reached the CIS Insurance Cup semi-finals in a one-sided Edinburgh derby at Easter Road.

Hibs strengthened their grip as the game progressed and Rob Jones volleyed the winner after a 32nd-minute corner. Hearts failed to pose a danger for the entire game.

Hearts skipper Steven Pressley recovered from illness to replace Deividas Cesnauskis but the Jambos struggled to adapt to a 4-5-1 formation with Robbie Neilson in right midfield.

Scott Brown and Chris Killen returned from suspension with Steven Fletcher and Guillaume Beuzelin dropping to the Hibs bench.

Hibs got a grip on the game early with Ivan Sproule seeing a lot of the ball.

The wide man stepped inside Jose Goncalves but saw his shot deflected behind.

Paul Hartley was struggling to influence the game in an advanced midfield role but Hearts began to push forward more midway through the half.

That left more space for Sproule and he skipped past Goncalves and laid the ball across for Killen, whose theatrical fall failed to impress referee Callum Murray.

Craig Gordon soon beat away Killen’s powerful effort but the Scotland goalkeeper’s outstretched hand could not stop the opener.

Merouane Zemmama’s corner fell kindly for Jones and he volleyed the ball into the roof of the net.

HIBERNIAN: Malkowski, Whittaker, Martis, Jones, Murphy, Scott Brown, Stewart (Beuzelin 14), Thomson, Zemmama (Benjelloun 90), Sproule (Fletcher 73), Killen.

HEARTS: Gordon, Goncalves, Berra, Pressley, Tall, Neilson (Barasa 55), Mikoliunas (Mole 66), Aguiar, Hartley, Zaliukas (Makela 83), Velicka.

Referee: C Murray.