It was never going to be easy, was it? The weight of history couldn’t be shrugged aside as if it was nothing more substantial than a mere statistic.

Hibs were made to work and sweat, battle and scrap for their first ever Hampden win over Hearts. Under enormous pressure, they produced a priceless victory.

In by far the finest performance under new manager Marink Reedijk, the Easter Road side came from a one down to win 2-1. The record books will show that Martin Boyle and Jamie McGrath scored the goals, while Joe Newell walked off with the sponsors’ Man of the Match award.

In truth, though, this was a triumph that belonged to every single player in green and white. And to a manager who went into this game facing serious questions about his future, but left the national stadium with memories to last a lifetime – including an emotional rendition of Sunshine on Leith.

A goal down before anyone could even draw breath, ahead at half-time after a pulsating comeback, his team deserved every moment of the post-match celebrations that saw the entire squad vault the advertising hoardsing to get closer to their adoring fans. After weeks and months of disconnect, it’s hard to place a value on what this mutual love-in might do for everyone at Hibs.

They might have put their fans through the mill here. Naturally. But oh, how they deserved this.

With Boyle back from illness and straight back in the starting XI, Nicky Cadden the unlucky man to miss out after his midweek return, Hibs did not lack for threat in the line-up. If only they could get the defensive side right, they’d have a chance.

It did not bode well, then, when they conceded after approximately three minutes and 20 seconds, Claudio Braga finding himself unmarked in the box to head home from a corner. Ah. Right. Be honest, Hibs fans, you must have been worried at this point …

Oh ye of little faith. What a recovery we saw from Reedijk’s men, as they completely dominated the rest of the first half. Starting by squeezing the very life out of Hearts whenever Wouter Vrancken’s men had the ball.

Hibs had chances to score through Felix Passlack and Owen Elding even before they bagged their deserved equaliser, Boyle ghosting in – and being played onside by the trailing left boot of Jordi Altena – to finish with composure and grace after Elding’s beautiful bit of control and delicate chip over the back line. Cue bedlam in the green-and-white end of Hampden.

More scenes of celebration were to come when, four minutes from half-time, Hibs took a lead that they’d more than earned. A huge amount of credit most go to Joe Newell, a dynamic presence in midfield, the former captain picking up a clearance from a corner and driving into the box before letting rip with a low left-foot shot.

Beau Reus made a superb one-handed save. But the ball fell straight to McGrath, who instinctively steered it into the back of the net from close range.

Hibs fell back into their shell as the first half was played out. And found themselves under siege for much for the second, Hearts forcing them to simply kick the ball away far too often for the liking of Reedijk – or the fans who were daring to dream of a more comfortable afternoon.

Although the Gorgie side created more chances as they chased an equaliser, though, Hibs were not without threat themselves. Boyle and Ivezic, the latter with two chances, each forced saves from Reus.

By the hour mark, this had become as much a test of nerve as skill or tactical nous. Hibs blocked shots, scrambled the ball clear and, yes, committed fouls when required. This was not going to be easy.

It might have been made oh so simple, had substitute Thibault Klidje hit the target as Hibs broke on the counter-attack with eight minutes remaining, the club record signing firing over the bar. At the very least, under all sorts of stress, Reedijk’s men were maintaining enough attacking edge – on the break, against the run of play, but dangerous just the same – to keep Hearts honest.

And yes, Braga should have bagged an equaliser with a free header in the dying moments, Hibs bringing on Grant Hanley and switching to a five at the back but still letting the danger man run free at a set piece. But Klidje forced a stunning one-handed save from Reus.

On balance, Hibs earned this. And will now look forward with optimism, a quality in short supply for a very long time, to putting this season back on track. Here’s how Reedijk’s warriors rated:

It was never going to be easy, was it? The weight of history couldn’t be shrugged aside as if it was nothing more substantial than a mere statistic.

Hibs were made to work and sweat, battle and scrap for their first ever Hampden win over Hearts. Under enormous pressure, they produced a priceless victory.

In by far the finest performance under new manager Marink Reedijk, the Easter Road side came from a one down to win 2-1. The record books will show that Martin Boyle and Jamie McGrath scored the goals, while Joe Newell walked off with the sponsors’ Man of the Match award.

In truth, though, this was a triumph that belonged to every single player in green and white. And to a manager who went into this game facing serious questions about his future, but left the national stadium with memories to last a lifetime – including an emotional rendition of Sunshine on Leith.

A goal down before anyone could even draw breath, ahead at half-time after a pulsating comeback, his team deserved every moment of the post-match celebrations that saw the entire squad vault the advertising hoardsing to get closer to their adoring fans. After weeks and months of disconnect, it’s hard to place a value on what this mutual love-in might do for everyone at Hibs.

They might have put their fans through the mill here. Naturally. But oh, how they deserved this.

With Boyle back from illness and straight back in the starting XI, Nicky Cadden the unlucky man to miss out after his midweek return, Hibs did not lack for threat in the line-up. If only they could get the defensive side right, they’d have a chance.

It did not bode well, then, when they conceded after approximately three minutes and 20 seconds, Claudio Braga finding himself unmarked in the box to head home from a corner. Ah. Right. Be honest, Hibs fans, you must have been worried at this point …

Oh ye of little faith. What a recovery we saw from Reedijk’s men, as they completely dominated the rest of the first half. Starting by squeezing the very life out of Hearts whenever Wouter Vrancken’s men had the ball.

Hibs had chances to score through Felix Passlack and Owen Elding even before they bagged their deserved equaliser, Boyle ghosting in – and being played onside by the trailing left boot of Jordi Altena – to finish with composure and grace after Elding’s beautiful bit of control and delicate chip over the back line. Cue bedlam in the green-and-white end of Hampden.

More scenes of celebration were to come when, four minutes from half-time, Hibs took a lead that they’d more than earned. A huge amount of credit most go to Joe Newell, a dynamic presence in midfield, the former captain picking up a clearance from a corner and driving into the box before letting rip with a low left-foot shot.

Beau Reus made a superb one-handed save. But the ball fell straight to McGrath, who instinctively steered it into the back of the net from close range.

Hibs fell back into their shell as the first half was played out. And found themselves under siege for much for the second, Hearts forcing them to simply kick the ball away far too often for the liking of Reedijk – or the fans who were daring to dream of a more comfortable afternoon.

Although the Gorgie side created more chances as they chased an equaliser, though, Hibs were not without threat themselves. Boyle and Ivezic, the latter with two chances, each forced saves from Reus.

By the hour mark, this had become as much a test of nerve as skill or tactical nous. Hibs blocked shots, scrambled the ball clear and, yes, committed fouls when required. This was not going to be easy.

It might have been made oh so simple, had substitute Thibault Klidje hit the target as Hibs broke on the counter-attack with eight minutes remaining, the club record signing firing over the bar. At the very least, under all sorts of stress, Reedijk’s men were maintaining enough attacking edge – on the break, against the run of play, but dangerous just the same – to keep Hearts honest.

And yes, Braga should have bagged an equaliser with a free header in the dying moments, Hibs bringing on Grant Hanley and switching to a five at the back but still letting the danger man run free at a set piece. But Klidje forced a stunning one-handed save from Reus.

On balance, Hibs earned this. And will now look forward with optimism, a quality in short supply for a very long time, to putting this season back on track. Here’s how Reedijk’s warriors rated:

It was never going to be easy, was it? The weight of history couldn’t be shrugged aside as if it was nothing more substantial than a mere statistic.

Hibs were made to work and sweat, battle and scrap for their first ever Hampden win over Hearts. Under enormous pressure, they produced a priceless victory.

In by far the finest performance under new manager Marink Reedijk, the Easter Road side came from a one down to win 2-1. The record books will show that Martin Boyle and Jamie McGrath scored the goals, while Joe Newell walked off with the sponsors’ Man of the Match award.

In truth, though, this was a triumph that belonged to every single player in green and white. And to a manager who went into this game facing serious questions about his future, but left the national stadium with memories to last a lifetime – including an emotional rendition of Sunshine on Leith.

A goal down before anyone could even draw breath, ahead at half-time after a pulsating comeback, his team deserved every moment of the post-match celebrations that saw the entire squad vault the advertising hoardsing to get closer to their adoring fans. After weeks and months of disconnect, it’s hard to place a value on what this mutual love-in might do for everyone at Hibs.

They might have put their fans through the mill here. Naturally. But oh, how they deserved this.

With Boyle back from illness and straight back in the starting XI, Nicky Cadden the unlucky man to miss out after his midweek return, Hibs did not lack for threat in the line-up. If only they could get the defensive side right, they’d have a chance.

It did not bode well, then, when they conceded after approximately three minutes and 20 seconds, Claudio Braga finding himself unmarked in the box to head home from a corner. Ah. Right. Be honest, Hibs fans, you must have been worried at this point …

Oh ye of little faith. What a recovery we saw from Reedijk’s men, as they completely dominated the rest of the first half. Starting by squeezing the very life out of Hearts whenever Wouter Vrancken’s men had the ball.

Hibs had chances to score through Felix Passlack and Owen Elding even before they bagged their deserved equaliser, Boyle ghosting in – and being played onside by the trailing left boot of Jordi Altena – to finish with composure and grace after Elding’s beautiful bit of control and delicate chip over the back line. Cue bedlam in the green-and-white end of Hampden.

More scenes of celebration were to come when, four minutes from half-time, Hibs took a lead that they’d more than earned. A huge amount of credit most go to Joe Newell, a dynamic presence in midfield, the former captain picking up a clearance from a corner and driving into the box before letting rip with a low left-foot shot.

Beau Reus made a superb one-handed save. But the ball fell straight to McGrath, who instinctively steered it into the back of the net from close range.

Hibs fell back into their shell as the first half was played out. And found themselves under siege for much for the second, Hearts forcing them to simply kick the ball away far too often for the liking of Reedijk – or the fans who were daring to dream of a more comfortable afternoon.

Although the Gorgie side created more chances as they chased an equaliser, though, Hibs were not without threat themselves. Boyle and Ivezic, the latter with two chances, each forced saves from Reus.

By the hour mark, this had become as much a test of nerve as skill or tactical nous. Hibs blocked shots, scrambled the ball clear and, yes, committed fouls when required. This was not going to be easy.

It might have been made oh so simple, had substitute Thibault Klidje hit the target as Hibs broke on the counter-attack with eight minutes remaining, the club record signing firing over the bar. At the very least, under all sorts of stress, Reedijk’s men were maintaining enough attacking edge – on the break, against the run of play, but dangerous just the same – to keep Hearts honest.

And yes, Braga should have bagged an equaliser with a free header in the dying moments, Hibs bringing on Grant Hanley and switching to a five at the back but still letting the danger man run free at a set piece. But Klidje forced a stunning one-handed save from Reus.

On balance, Hibs earned this. And will now look forward with optimism, a quality in short supply for a very long time, to putting this season back on track. Here’s how Reedijk’s warriors rated:

It was never going to be easy, was it? The weight of history couldn’t be shrugged aside as if it was nothing more substantial than a mere statistic.

Hibs were made to work and sweat, battle and scrap for their first ever Hampden win over Hearts. Under enormous pressure, they produced a priceless victory.

In by far the finest performance under new manager Marink Reedijk, the Easter Road side came from a one down to win 2-1. The record books will show that Martin Boyle and Jamie McGrath scored the goals, while Joe Newell walked off with the sponsors’ Man of the Match award.

In truth, though, this was a triumph that belonged to every single player in green and white. And to a manager who went into this game facing serious questions about his future, but left the national stadium with memories to last a lifetime – including an emotional rendition of Sunshine on Leith.

A goal down before anyone could even draw breath, ahead at half-time after a pulsating comeback, his team deserved every moment of the post-match celebrations that saw the entire squad vault the advertising hoardsing to get closer to their adoring fans. After weeks and months of disconnect, it’s hard to place a value on what this mutual love-in might do for everyone at Hibs.

They might have put their fans through the mill here. Naturally. But oh, how they deserved this.

With Boyle back from illness and straight back in the starting XI, Nicky Cadden the unlucky man to miss out after his midweek return, Hibs did not lack for threat in the line-up. If only they could get the defensive side right, they’d have a chance.

It did not bode well, then, when they conceded after approximately three minutes and 20 seconds, Claudio Braga finding himself unmarked in the box to head home from a corner. Ah. Right. Be honest, Hibs fans, you must have been worried at this point …

Oh ye of little faith. What a recovery we saw from Reedijk’s men, as they completely dominated the rest of the first half. Starting by squeezing the very life out of Hearts whenever Wouter Vrancken’s men had the ball.

Hibs had chances to score through Felix Passlack and Owen Elding even before they bagged their deserved equaliser, Boyle ghosting in – and being played onside by the trailing left boot of Jordi Altena – to finish with composure and grace after Elding’s beautiful bit of control and delicate chip over the back line. Cue bedlam in the green-and-white end of Hampden.

More scenes of celebration were to come when, four minutes from half-time, Hibs took a lead that they’d more than earned. A huge amount of credit most go to Joe Newell, a dynamic presence in midfield, the former captain picking up a clearance from a corner and driving into the box before letting rip with a low left-foot shot.

Beau Reus made a superb one-handed save. But the ball fell straight to McGrath, who instinctively steered it into the back of the net from close range.

Hibs fell back into their shell as the first half was played out. And found themselves under siege for much for the second, Hearts forcing them to simply kick the ball away far too often for the liking of Reedijk – or the fans who were daring to dream of a more comfortable afternoon.

Although the Gorgie side created more chances as they chased an equaliser, though, Hibs were not without threat themselves. Boyle and Ivezic, the latter with two chances, each forced saves from Reus.

By the hour mark, this had become as much a test of nerve as skill or tactical nous. Hibs blocked shots, scrambled the ball clear and, yes, committed fouls when required. This was not going to be easy.

It might have been made oh so simple, had substitute Thibault Klidje hit the target as Hibs broke on the counter-attack with eight minutes remaining, the club record signing firing over the bar. At the very least, under all sorts of stress, Reedijk’s men were maintaining enough attacking edge – on the break, against the run of play, but dangerous just the same – to keep Hearts honest.

And yes, Braga should have bagged an equaliser with a free header in the dying moments, Hibs bringing on Grant Hanley and switching to a five at the back but still letting the danger man run free at a set piece. But Klidje forced a stunning one-handed save from Reus.

On balance, Hibs earned this. And will now look forward with optimism, a quality in short supply for a very long time, to putting this season back on track. Here’s how Reedijk’s warriors rated: