Hibs v Hearts

Oct 20 2008

HIBERNIAN

Yves Ma-Kalambay: Eccentric handling from the keeper and could have been better placed for Hearts equaliser. 5

David van Zanten: Bombed forward on the right where possible but Driver was always a danger. 6

Rob Jones: Bamba on Nade left him free to organise, which he did well. 6

Souleymane Bamba: Strong as ever with play in front of him, less comfortable in behind. 6

Lewis Stevenson: Some marvellous overlapping runs but not always picked out by team-mates. 6

Ian Murray: Swamped at times and kept on back foot as Hearts claimed midfield rights. 5

Steven Thicot: Didn't get on ball often enough to allow Hibs to prosper further forward. 5

Dean Shiels: Started brightly but then failed to take right options. 5

Steven Fletcher: Poacher instincts at opener then forced to forage too far from goal for scraps. 6

Derek Riordan: Expectant buzz every time he was on ball, flirted with man-ofmatch award. 7

Colin Nish: Lacked service to the back post where he can best wreak aerial mayhem. 6

Subs:
Fabian Yantorno - late replacement for Thicot but unable to impact, 3.

HEARTS

Marian Kello: Blameless at goal but still appeared nervous and was hooked at the interval for Balogh. 5

Eggert Jonsson: Not helped by Kingston's defensive lapses but fought corner well. 6

Christophe Berra: Strong, dominant skipper led by example throughout. 7

Marius Zaliukas: Well organised and disciplined around fleet-footed Fletcher. 6

Lee Wallace: Gave as good as he got against Nish and supported well further forward. 6

Christos Karipidis: Strong display helped quell the threat from Hibs on the counter attack. 7

Bruno Aguiar: Dream return for Portuguese ace as he added vision and energy to engine room. 8

Michael Stewart: Driving force in middle of the park and super organising shift. 7

Laryea Kingston: Clipped some exquisite passes but was still ropey defensively. 6

Christian Nade: Brawny, brave and selfless shift in solo-striker role. 7

Andrew Driver:Pace, vision and penetration proved a crucial outlet for Hearts. 8

Subs:
Janos Balogh - may just have played himself into team with super display, 7.
Jamie Mole - injury-time replacement for Nade, 2.
Jason Thomson - likewise for Kingston, 2.

Taken from the Daily Record