Naismith fears that Hibs ‘idiots’ will ruin Edinburgh derby
Hearts coach Steven Naismith is concerned that Hibs fans throwing objects are in danger of ruining the Edinburgh derby atmosphere. He fears that away tickets will be reduced if such antics continue, potentially ruining the ambience at one of Scotland's most fervid footballing occasions, writes Barry Anderson.
Easter Road supporters repeatedly launched objects onto the pitch in the direction of Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland during Wednesday night's 1-1 draw at Tynecastle. Shankland's penalty equalised Emiliano Marcondes' opening goal for Hibs, but before taking the kick Shankland saw a number of things thrown at him – including a pie from which he jokingly took a bite.
"The calmness I spoke about, that's exactly it. The way he acts for the penalty and is calmness to find the net, these are the defining moments in games," said Naismith.
"But all the stuff getting launched on, it's just not acceptable. If that then gets looked at, what’s going to happen is they are just going to reduce the amount of fans that can go into that stand and that’s going to impact what I think is a good atmosphere – a good derby which has a fierce rivalry.
"It’s just idiots that are going to spoil the party for everybody. I think it was everything that was in everyone’s pockets, whether it be coins, vapes or whatever. It’s just not god enough, end of."
The match began in typically frenzied fashion and Hibs certainly looked the most threatening side during the initial exchanges.
They scored first on 27 minutes. Lewis Miller's head flick saw Martin Boyle steal the ball from the falling Hearts defender Frankie Kent to home in on goal. He clipped a shot over the advancing goalkeeper Zander Clark but Nathaniel Atkinson cleared off the goal line. Emiliano was in place to drive home the loose ball from 10 yards.
The home side perservered and were rewarded moments before the interval when they won a penalty. Hibs defender Will Fish took a heavy touch before shaping to clear, and Kenneth Vargas raced in to get to the ball first. As Fish pulled out of the tackle, his trailing leg clipped the Costa Rican, who then went down, and referee Kevin Clancy pointed to the spot. Following strong protests from the away side, Clancy checked a touchline monitor before confirming the decision.
Shankland was unperturbed by the objects thrown at him, and confidently sent the ball high into the top corner from the spot to level the scoreline at 1-1.
Both teams ran themselves into the sodden Gorgie ground as the match wore on, but neither could find a decisive goal to prise three points.
Maolida should have headed Hibs back into the lead from substitute Elie Youan's cross in the 70th minute. He glanced the ball wide at the back post under little pressure as the Easter Road side probed time and again.
Vargas then wasted two opportunities on the run in behind the green-and-white rearguard.