Hibs 1 - 0 Hearts: How the Hearts players rated

Ratings out of ten for every Hearts player in the 1-0 defeat to Hibs at Easter Road.

Hearts dejected players trudge off at full time. Picture: SNS

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John McLaughlin - 8

Provided some much needed composure between the sticks, racing from his line to collect through balls and taking crosses with minimal fuss. He also made a terrific save from John McGinn.

Michael Smith - 6

Had a tough night trying to stop Brandon Barker. While he toiled for the most part, he managed to stop too many clear-cut chances coming from the wide areas.

John Souttar - 7

Was beaten too easily by Simon Murray for the opening goal but settled down soon after and had a good game overall. One of the biggest problems for Hearts is that Souttar, a centre-back, is their best passer of the ball.

Christophe Berra - 8

Undoubtedly the best player in the Hearts team, as he has been all season. Despite being offered little protection from a woeful midfield, the defence held up for the most part, with Berra repelling more than a few shots and crosses.

Jamie Brandon - 4

Didn’t start too badly against Martin Boyle but as the half wore on began to lose the battle. The Hibs winger raced by him on three occasions, which completely drained his confidence. Hooked on 57 minutes.

Connor Randall - 5

Caught in possession in the first minute and never made much of an impact in the centre of the park. He looked slightly more comfortable at right-back after a formation shift, but still didn’t impress.

Jamie Walker - 6

Playing a deeper role in the Hearts system, Walker’s attacking input was curtailed as a result. He was generally dependable in possession and put in some impressive tackles, including one to rob Boyle in the penalty box. However, he failed to impact the attack.

Rafal Grzelak - 3

Was preferred to Harry Cochrane from the starting XI for his physical qualities. Seeing as Craig Levein praised Cochrane, who came on for Grzelak at half-time, even the Hearts boss would probably admit that decision was a mistake. Dreadful in possession and unsure of his positioning off the ball.

Euan Henderson - 5

Had a bright moment in the first half where he wriggled past Steven Whittaker and cut back for Ross Callachan, who tried to shift it on to his stronger foot instead of hitting first time. That was about it.

Ross Callachan - 5

Definitely not a No.10, Callachan lacked the quality in possession to make things happen. He gets an extra point for an improved performance after moving deeper in the formation following Esmael Goncalves’ introduction.

Kyle Lafferty - 7

Battled hard in attack. Sometimes his play outside the box doesn’t match his goalscoring prowess in it, though this was not one of those evenings. Unfortunately for the visitors, he had little to no help from anyone else.

SUBS

Harry Cochrane - 6 - Improved Hearts’ passing play in the middle, though should maybe have saw red for a heavy lunge on John McGinn.

Esmael Goncalves - 5 - Says a lot that a 17-year-old (Henderson) was preferred to the Portuguese attacker on the left from the start.

Cole Stockton - 4 - Missed a great chance to pull Hearts level.