Hickey nets late Edinburgh derby winner for Hearts

Seventeen-year-old Aaron Hickey’s deflected late strike earned Hearts a dramatic Edinburgh derby win, and eased the pressure on manager Craig Levein.

With Hearts bottom of the Scottish Premiership going into the game, defeat may well have spelled the end for Levein. But instead it is Hibernian manager Paul Heckingbottom who finds himself under increasing scrutiny as his side slip to 11th place.

Stephen Mallan’s superb 30-yard shot had given Hibs the lead, before Uche Ikpeazu equalised at Easter Road.

But Hickey’s looping shot gave Hearts a priceless first league victory of the season, and extended their rivals’ winless run to four matches.

The win moves the Tynecastle side off the foot of the table just eight days after fans protested at Levein’s management following a home defeat by Motherwell.

The focus will now switch to the future of Heckingbottom as boos from the home support greeted the full-time whistle in Leith.

More to follow.

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