What a weekend of action in the Scottish Premiership.
Wins for Hearts and Celtic, a slip from Rangers.
What has this title race got in store next?
Enjoy the Sportscene highlights and join us when it all comes round again.
FT: Hibernian 1-2 Hearts
Hearts manager Derek McInnes tells BBC Sportsound: "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 third.
"Blair Spittal playing as an auxiliary right-back. You're just trying everything to try and make this go your way. It took a bit longer than we thought.
"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. A lot of people could snatch at it. He keeps his knee over the ball, stays calm, 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.
"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, SNSA bit more from Derek McInnes before we sign off?
Why not?
One more look at the top end of the league table - and it makes very good viewing for Hearts fans.
Motherwell have taken a big step towards sewing up fourth place.
Clearly Hearts will be hugely relieved to win that game. However, they conceded early on and they could only score once Hibs had two players off the park. It wasn’t that impressive a display for them. They’ll obviously be delighted with the three points and must surely now be regarded as favourites but they’re equally not invincible
Ronnie
Annoying that Hibs shot themselves in the foot and ruined what was promising to be a fantastic spectacle. That’s about as Hibs a performance as you’re likely to see.
Josh
We should have won by more, but fair play to Hibs for an unreal effort in defending with 9. That is a huge result though!
Kris
You can catch highlights from today's games on BBC Scotland right now.
The programme will be available at the top of this page too.
FT: Hibernian 1-2 Hearts
Hibs head coach David Gray tells Sky Sports: "To find ourselves down to nine men, the character the players showed, I can't ask for any more than that.
"It's just decision-making. The goalkeeper makes a mistake but it's cost us. The second one is a mistake, he catches the player so it's a yellow card.
"Full credit to the players that remained on the pitch, they defended their box incredibly. Bodies on the line, defending crosses. At the moment the players that remained on the pitch didn't deserve it [to lose] after what they put into the game."
FT: Rangers 2-3 Motherwell
Rangers head coach Danny Rohl tells BBC Sportsound: "It's tough when you are 2-0 down. You have to fight and you have to do a lot of things right and we did until we conceded the goal.
"Second half, we played a good game, then created a lot of chances. Finally, it was unlucky, we conceded one more goal and then it's tough to come back.
"I've been complimenting my players about the reaction, how much courage we put in, quality, intensity and it was good to see. Today, it's a little bit tough to take but we keep believing and this is the most important thing - four more finals.
"My job is to lift the group. I will stand in front and lead them and then we go again. We showed in the last couple of weeks and months how strong we are growing as a group.There will be no negativity from my side after one game. We have to go forward. I'm strong enough and it's not over.
"We will prepare [for Tynecastle]. We will be ready and we will show again a reaction and then we go again and then let's see which direction it goes."
Image source, SNSFT: Rangers 2-3 Motherwell
Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou told BBC Sportsound: "The result, it's hard not to say that's very pleasing.
"We've been a few points short over the last five games in terms of how we've performed. Today, I think first half was right up there with us at the very best.
"Second half became a much more difficult half, both because Rangers stepped up and lifted their game and because we didn't have that same sharpness, especially in the final third.
"To stay cool and to still play our game when you have more than 50,000 [fans] trying to help push for the winner and to just be composed and do what we do and first of all defend with our lives, which we needed, and then to produce that final moment of quality to decide the game - really impressed with that."
Image source, SNSLet's just catch up on what the managers had to say at Ibrox after Motherwell's thrilling victory.
FT: Hibernian 1-2 Hearts
Craig Halkett tells Sky Sports: "It was a massive three points. I think we started the game really well, conceded a slack goal and put ourselves up against it.
"I think we were a bit wasteful at the start, it took until half-time to come in and reset and then we got the goal back at the right time.
"Kerjota was brilliant. Everyone in there is so delighted for him. He trains really well and when he gets his chance he's shown everybody what he can do."
Player of the match Sabah Kerjota tells Sky Sports: "It's always unbelievable to play in these matches and to win them.
"We have four more games and we will do what we have to do to win every game."
Image source, SNSSabah Kerjota (right) made a big impact as a second-half substitute
FT: Hibernian 1-2 Hearts
Kris Boyd
Former Scotland striker on Sky Sports
With Hearts, I see a team that is all together.
FT: Hibernian 1-2 Hearts
What next in this incredible title race?
Celtic visit Hibs next Sunday. Hearts host Rangers on the following day.
Can we just fast forward to the weekend?
FT: Hibernian 1-2 Hearts
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes tells Sky Sports: "It's such an unusual way to win a game.
"I'm disappointed with the first goal. We just switched off at the back post.
"It's a huge moment in the game when the goalkeeper gets sent off and the second red card helps us too. You need to credit Hibs, I thought the work-rate they put in was sensational.
"We were just looking for that calmness and somebody to step up and the captain (Lawrence Shankland) does that. That was the adrenaline shot.
"To win any derby you have to do a lot right. The game was a bit unusual but I thought we just about deserved to win."
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNSFT: Hibernian 1-2 Hearts
Hearts had 23 shots today, the most from any of their games this season.
Shot number 23 from Blair Spittal proved decisive.
FT: Hibernian 1-2 Hearts
John Collins
Former Hibs midfielder and manager on BBC Sportsound
From a spectators' point of view, the red cards spoil it because it's no longer an even match, because it's one team attacking the other. Tough for the Hibs fans to watch.
You've got to feel for David Gray. They take the lead and things are looking OK and the goalkeeper goes and gets sent off. There's nothing you can do as a manager.
Passlack, he knows he's got a yellow card. Studs up - the referee's got no choice, second yellow card. You just feel for the remaining Hibs players that are on the pitch.
Image source, SNSFelix Passlack's dismissal meant Hibs played 42 minutes with nine men
FT: Hibernian 1-2 Hearts
Hibs will get plaudits for a gutsy display, but both red cards were really stupid.
From experienced players too.
Raphael Sallinger must have lost his bearings to handle the ball outside his penalty area.
Felix Passlack's first booking was for squaring up to Stephen Kingsley, the second for a needless challenge on Beni Baningime when he was never going to get the ball.
FT: Hibernian 1-2 Hearts
Allan Preston
Former Hearts defender on BBC Sportsound
Rangers to come a week on Monday. Hearts could put them out the title race at Tynecastle, where they're unbeaten this season.
It's a wonderful afternoon for Hearts. Tough going, tough, tough going. It's three magnificent points coming to your nearest rivals, who are trying to stop you. Make no mistake they were here to try to stop you and they didn't manage to do it.
It's a massive, massive win.
FT: Hibernian 1-2 Hearts
Blair Spittal tells Sky Sports: "The red cards helped the situation but at times we probably didn't make the most of it. We just needed to win this that was all that matters."
Lawrence Shankland tells Sky Sports: "It can be difficult when you play against a team who go down to 10. They defended their box really well, it was just a wee bit of patience to get the goal.
"We look after ourselves. Regardless [of results elsewhere] we wanted to come here and win we managed to do that.
"We worked so hard to get to this point it's important we try to finish it off. Another big game coming next week but we'll enjoy this first."
FT: Hibernian 1-2 Hearts
The joy and relief on those faces...
Hearts are in the driving seat.
They host Rangers next Monday. Another huge, huge game!
Image source, PA Media
Blair Spittal's goal leaves Hearts three points clear with four to play
At a glance
Late Spittal goal gives Hearts win over nine man Hibs & moves them three clear at top
Goalkeeper Sallinger sent off after 14 minutes for handling outside his box & Passlack shown a second yellow early in second half
Boyle had given Hibs lead before O'Hora's own goal levelled
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.
Hibs - energised by the prospect of hindering their bitter rivals' hopes - took the lead through the departing Martin Boyle after seven minutes amid a febrile atmosphere at Easter Road.
But moments of madness from goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger, who handled outside his box in the 14th minute, and Felix Passlack, who picked up a second yellow moments into the second half, put Hibs in a precarious position.
Hearts huffed and puffed, with substitute goalkeeper Jordan Smith producing save after save to frustrate them and Marc Leonard rattling the crossbar.
But Hibs' brave resistance was eventually breached when a combination of Lawrence Shankland and Warren O'Hora bundled the ball over the line to equalise, with an own goal awarded against the Hibs centre-back.
Derek McInnes' side pushed for a potentially precious winner, but the ball would not fall for them as a tortured away support started to lose faith.
But the goal would eventually come through Blair Spittal, the midfielder sliding the ball past Smith with the aid of a deflection with only a few minutes remaining.
Hearts' lead over Celtic once again stretches to three points, while they go four clear of Rangers, who lost to Motherwell earlier in the day.
Will doubters believe in Hearts' title chances now?
Edinburgh derbies can often be horrible to watch. Plenty of grit, to put it diplomatically. But these fans are rarely treated - if you can use that word - to a contest as agonising as this was.
For so long, the supporters in the away end were just waiting. Waiting and waiting and waiting. The equaliser had to come, surely? Then the winner... another wait.
But the goals arrived in timely fashion. 'Believe' is the word that has been scrawled across the training ground and across the bed sheets in the away end.
Games like this, and goals like that from Spittal, keep the fire roaring.
After all, not since 1957-58 have Hearts beaten Celtic, Rangers and Hibs home and away in the same season.
As for Hibs, it was a long, long stay of execution.
Defeat felt inevitable after the second red card, but enough time had elapsed before the goals to give the home fans hope they could hold on.
Yes, Hearts dominated possession, had an xG of 1.8, and enjoyed more than 50 touches inside the Hibs box. But some of the saves substitute Smith was making made you think that maybe it was his story today.
Corners, Hearts' deadliest weapon this season, were cleared. Crosses were swept away or gathered by the keeper. Hearts resorted to pot shots at one point.
While both sides panicked, at the hour mark it seemed Hibs were still doing the right thing. Absorb the pressure, waste time, kill the tempo and play it smart.
Then Boyle went off, grief-stricken to have played his last Edinburgh derby, and a minute later, Hearts had scored.
The balls up top stopped sticking. Cracks started to show. And they eventually told.
They tried their best to hold on, but there's no doubt David Gray's side shot themselves in the foot before eventually succumbing to their wounds.
McInnes praises Hearts' composure in derby win
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "Obviously, very unusual in the sense that you don't practice playing against nine men.
"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."
Hibernian head coach David Gray: "Everything we knew it would. The start of the game was fast and frantic, nervy. If anything Hearts had the better of the opening five minutes. We were a bit rash.
"We find ourselves 1-0 up, brilliant. Then, we've beat ourselves, same as last week. It's very hard to win games of football with 11 men, especially against the team that are top of the league at the moment.
"One thing I can't fault, and I'm full of praise for, is the nine men on the pitch. They gave us everything, defended with their lives and restricted Hearts to little."
Two more potentially epic contests.
Hibs host Celtic next Sunday (12:00 BST) before Hearts welcome Rangers to Tynecastle on Monday (17:30). The title race goes on.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 22 | 7 | 5 | 60 | 29 | 31 | 73 |
| |
| 34 | 22 | 4 | 8 | 62 | 36 | 26 | 70 |
| |
| 34 | 19 | 12 | 3 | 68 | 34 | 34 | 69 |
| |
| 34 | 15 | 12 | 7 | 55 | 31 | 24 | 57 |
| |
| 34 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 52 | 39 | 13 | 51 |
| |
| 34 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 46 | 51 | -5 | 46 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 48 | 54 | -6 | 43 |
| |
| 34 | 10 | 6 | 18 | 34 | 48 | -14 | 36 |
| |
| 34 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 34 | 56 | -22 | 33 |
| |
| 34 | 7 | 9 | 18 | 27 | 50 | -23 | 30 |
| |
| 34 | 6 | 10 | 18 | 37 | 66 | -29 | 28 |
| |
| 34 | 2 | 13 | 19 | 37 | 66 | -29 | 19 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 21 | 7 | 5 | 58 | 28 | 30 | 70 |
| |
| 33 | 19 | 12 | 2 | 66 | 31 | 35 | 69 |
| |
| 33 | 21 | 4 | 8 | 59 | 35 | 24 | 67 |
| |
| 33 | 14 | 12 | 7 | 52 | 29 | 23 | 54 |
| |
| 33 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 51 | 37 | 14 | 51 |
| |
| 33 | 13 | 7 | 13 | 45 | 48 | -3 | 46 |
| |
| 33 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 45 | 54 | -9 | 40 |
| |
| 33 | 9 | 6 | 18 | 33 | 48 | -15 | 33 |
| |
| 33 | 8 | 9 | 16 | 34 | 53 | -19 | 33 |
| |
| 33 | 7 | 9 | 17 | 27 | 48 | -21 | 30 |
| |
| 33 | 6 | 10 | 17 | 37 | 65 | -28 | 28 |
| |
| 33 | 1 | 13 | 19 | 35 | 66 | -31 | 16 |
|
Manager:David Gray
Formation:3 - 4 - 1 - 2
Manager:Derek McInnes
Formation:3 - 4 - 1 - 2
Scottish Premiership
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Hibernian have won both of their last 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 Hibernian for the first time since April 2014; this is the 28th top-flight game between the two sides since then.
Hibernian remain unbeaten in nine home league games (W6 D3), keeping a clean sheet in their last three; Hibs haven’t recorded four successive home shutouts in the top-flight since December 2009 under John Hughes.
Heart of Midlothian 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 last 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).
