Jamie McGrath scores to put Hibs in frontSNS

Jamie McGrath's goal proved to be the winner for Hibs

At a glance

  • Unchallenged Braga nods Hearts in front after four minutes

  • But resilient Hibs turn tie with Boyle and McGrath strikes

  • Easter Road side play Rangers in final on Sunday, 13 December

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park

Resilient Hibernian came from behind to beat depleted Hearts for the first time at Hampden - and earn manager Marink Reedijk a maiden win - to set up a Scottish League Cup final with Rangers next month.

On all four previous occasions, Hearts headed home from the national stadium with a spring in their step after a derby win.

This time, it is the Hibs fans who leave happy, knowing they will return on 13 December in search of their first silverware in more than a decade.

When the unmarked Claudio Braga bulleted Hearts in front after just four minutes, it seemed as though the script would be the same as in 2006, 2012, 2020 and 2022. But as soft as Hibs were in that moment, they were superb from there on in.

Felix Passlack was denied an almost-immediate equaliser by goalkeeper Beau Reus, and Jamie McGrath skied a golden opportunity, but Hibs soon deservedly levelled.

Martin Boyle - who traumatised Jordi Altena throughout - sneaked a smart finish beneath the goalkeeper.

The 23,000-strong maroon-clad allocation wrapped around that goal hoped VAR would save them, but Boyle was deemed to be just the right-side of Altena and his sixth derby goal stood.

The exceptional Joe Newell kissed the crossbar, before his powerful shot fell kindly for McGrath to strike Hibs fittingly in-front.

In between the goals, Hearts added to their heap of injuries with Tomas Magnusson unable to recover from a head knock and Calvin Miller going off before being spotted later in a leg brace. Wouter Vrancken's injury list has now hit double figures.

His side rallied to dominate the second half, but the Premiership's bottom side Hibs - who last won the League Cup in 2007 - dug deeper than they have in recent memory to hold on for a famous victory.

They will be back in six weeks to face Derek McInnes' Rangers, while Hearts' remarkable wait for a League Cup triumph stretches to 65 years.

Hearts analysis: Injuries undermine chances

It is near-impossible to speak of Hearts and not immediately mention their inexplicably long - and lengthening - injury list.

Magnusson, for a moment looked like he was going to play on despite clearly suffering a head knock, while Miller did return briefly before being withdrawn.

The injured pair's replacements - Sabri Guendouz and Yan Dhanda - at first offered precious little, as Hearts limped to half-time grateful they were just one behind.

After the break, they were much better - but in no small part thanks to Hibs' inability to get going themselves.

Guendouz turned good and Josh McPake fizzed a flurry of teasing balls across the face of goal, but there were no takers, much to his dismay.

His reaction reflected those in the stands. They know the consequence of a result of this kind stretches much further than simply not returning for the final.

Their unwelcomed record in this competition causes great pain. Perhaps only second to the hurt of losing to Hibs.

Hibs analysis: Problems forgotten on day of joy

Hibs results

At last, Hibs have done it. A side without a win in six and one who sit bottom of the Scottish top-flight.

Today, all that will be forgotten. Finally, a Hampden derby does not end their cup run. This win was one to savour.

Reedijk urged patience. In Paisley on Wednesday, his first victory looked close only for a late leveller to punish a lack of potency. The same shortcomings were on show in Glasgow, but finding the net twice was enough on this occasion.

More than anywhere else, it was Hibs' midfield who won them this derby. Newell commanded and controlled from the centre.

For long enough, Hibs have been described as feeble and frail but, here, they were strong, sturdy and gritty. They gave it their all in the second half when they were against the ropes.

For all Hearts' dominance, goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger had little to do, such was the heroic defending in front of him.

When the whistle finall went and the Hearts supporters streamed away, Hibs' fans were left to savour something they have not here against their city rivals. Sheer relief and glory.

What they said

Vrancken on Hearts' injury woes

Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken: "We started well, managed to go 1-0 ahead, but the moment Tomas Magnusson got injured, there were some hesitations.

"The second half was much better, you saw them have the belief to try to score a goal, it's just a pity they didn't get rewarded for that.

"We've got 10 guys who are injured, I've never seen that in my whole career. If you put them together you have a pretty good team that could play in the Premiership.

"It's a missed opportunity but you can't go back in time and try to do better."

Hibs manager Marink Reedijk: "Hampden was amazing, the fans were amazing and I think we were amazing in the first half. They scored so early but then you saw how we started to dominate the game, it was great to see.

"What I'm proud of is that these guys stick together in the difficult moments. We hung in, we kept on fighting and I think we probably could have scored one or two more.

"The combination of the two, the good football and the fighting mentality at the end, that makes me proud."

'I love these kind of things' - Reedijk on spin-tingling rendition of Sunshine on Leith

Player of the match

J. Newell
7.34
1 B. Reus
5.52
15 J. McPake
5.20
10 Cláudio Braga
5.13
7 C. Miller
4.98
19 S. Guendouz
4.93
5 J. McCart
4.80
3 S. Kingsley
4.78
29 S. Kerjota
4.73
64 M. Fagan-Walcott
4.65
31 Y. Dhanda
4.47
23 J. Altena
4.38
78 L. Mendy
4.33
22 T. Magnússon
4.10
27 A. Benjaminsen
3.45
21 J. Wilson
3.37
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