Derek McInnes revelled in Hearts’ ability to dig out stoppage-time winners after Craig Halkett’s late goal against city rivals Hibernian sent them five points clear of Celtic at the top of the William Hill Premiership.
An attritional, tightly-contested Edinburgh derby looked set to end goalless after Hibs captain Martin Boyle missed two big chances in the second half.
But in the first minute of added time, defender Halkett nipped in to volley home Sabah Kerjota’s cross and secure a hard-fought 1-0 win for the Jambos, sparking delirious scenes among the home support.
It was the third time in seven league matches that the buoyant early pacesetters had turned a draw into victory in the dying moments after similarly exhilarating late flurries away to Dundee United and Livingston.
“We’re seven league games in and we’ve had three last-minute winners, and you get the elation of that – everybody loves that – but obviously to get it in the derby is even more pleasing,” beamed McInnes.
“For long spells it looked like a 0-0. We got away with one a wee bit, with Boyle’s chance off the bar, but you need a bit of luck in derby games.
“I think the supporters always feel that maybe there’s something going to happen, we always feel as if we’re going to get a chance.
“And while we’ve got that, when you get last-minute winners and it becomes a part of what you are, I think that can be worth so many points. It can be the difference.
“And I loved such a beautiful sight, seeing Tynecastle like that, the noise, when we get the goal.”
McInnes once again refused to entertain talk that his high-flying side are in a title race.
“There’s a lot willing us (to make it interesting), but there’s also a lot dying for us to fall flat on our face, let’s be honest,” he said. “There’s so many who don’t think this is anything other than just a little period here, and listen, it may well be that.
“We’re only seven games in, the league’s in its infancy. It’s far too early to be making any judgements, but we’ll enjoy it while it’s here.”
David Gray admitted his Hibernian side are in a tight spot after a sixth successive league game without victory.
“It’s probably the story of our season a little bit,” he said. “We can talk about the game, but the reality of the situation is, all the good work you do for 92 minutes is undone in the last second of the game.
“It was quite a poor game. A lot of people were expecting a cracker but that often happens, where the two teams almost cancel each other out.
“Some of the performances have been good. But the (points) return is not good enough.
“In terms of how we fix this, it’s about taking responsibility and accountability and that’s me, firstly.”
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