Three Hibs takeways from 3-1 defeat by Hearts

Strikers nullified

Hibs have been in excellent scoring form under Jack Ross but they rarely troubled Hearts in the final third on this occasion until the game was beyond them. It looked promising for the hosts when Christian Doidge flashed an eighth-minute header wide from a Martin Boyle delivery but thereafter the Welshman and his strike partner Marc McNulty were expertly snuffed out by Hearts' centre-backs. Indeed, the most notable involvement for either of Hibs' much-vaunted front two was a blatant stamp by McNulty on Sean Clare which is sure to land him some retrospective punishment from the SFA's compliance officer.

Midfield blend wasn't right

In the only change to the starting lineup from Friday's impressive win over Inverness, Stephane Omeonga replaced Steven Whittaker in a move that was widely welcomed by supporters who relished the prospect of seeing the Belgian play in what looked, on paper, to be an exciting three-man central midfield alongside Greg Docherty and Scott Allan. Unfortunately for Jack Ross, despite having an extra man in the engine room, his midfielders were unable to get a proper grip of the game and collectively lacked the composure to play through an organised Hearts side. Omeonga struggled badly in possession and, with the benefit of hindsight, Ross would probably have been better served leaving the on-form Whittaker at the base of midfield.

Vulnerable to the counter

After Hearts took the lead from the penalty spot, Hibs' defenders, perhaps understandably, were left susceptible to the counter attack as they tried to get themselves back in the game. They didn't cope well with it all. The visitors' second and third goals came on the break and they could even have had a couple more as Hibs lost their shape and became bedraggled in the last half hour. In the closing stages, Hearts looked capable of scoring every time they ventured forward. Hibs could desperately do with finding some sustained solidity in defence.