Mykola Kuharevich savours 'amazing feeling' after derby goal for Hibs against Hearts

Mykola Kuharevich netted his first derby goal for Hibs but admitted the “amazing feeling” was followed by disappointment when Hearts scored a late leveller.

The Ukranian striker reacted quickest to finish after Marvin Ekpiteta hit the bar with a header, sending Easter Road wild as Hibs took the lead in a derby that had been competitive but short of real quality chances.

Kuharevich’s strike looked to have his side heading for three vital Premiership points, but with just three minutes left on the clock, Hearts youngster James Wilson scored a leveller.

“It’s an amazing feeling to score in a game like this,” Kuharevich said after the final whistle. “In a derby, in front of a full stadium, it’s an unbelievable feeling.”

For Hibs, it was the second game in a row where victory had looked likely before late heartbreak, with Dundee United having scored twice in the final minutes at Tannadice last week. That added to the disappointment for Kuharevich, who said the team would be working to cut out late lapses.

“I was so happy in the moment but obviously it’s so disappointing to lose the goal in the last minute, like the last game,” he said.

“It’s so close to a win but again, I don’t know, we have to do better in the last part of the game.

“We’ll work on that.

“It was an amazing feeling, an amazing atmosphere, and it is so good to play in games like this. The fans were amazing and we appreciate them all, they deserved more today.

“It is so important that we get back to winning ways. We need to work hard and believe that we are going to get back on track as quickly as possible.”