Wouter Vrancken thrilled with Hearts' recovery in second half of Hibernian win

Wouter Vrancken was proud of the way Hearts recovered their poise in the second half to close out a deserved 3-1 victory over ten-man Hibernian in his first Edinburgh derby.

James Wilson and Laurent Mendy had the visitors two goals up at half-time before Hibs rallied early in the second half and pulled one back through substitute Adam Mayor.

The hosts’ hopes of a fightback were dashed, however, when Josh McPake scored a brilliant third for Hearts shortly after Hibs substitute Jack Iredale was sent off for a second bookable offence.

“It was really pleasing, we played a brilliant first half, and I was happy to see that, because it’s not easy for players with the weight of the game, playing an away game,” said Vrancken, who was hopeful that an injury sustained by captain Blair Spittal is not serious.

“We discussed at half-time that the only thing that could get us in problems is if we gave the moments away, and we gave it away.

“It was not needed, you give them some confidence, you get the crowd behind them, and then it’s important that we kept the focus and concentration there.

“I’m really proud that we did it.”

Vrancken was delighted with McPake, who shone in front of watching Scotland boss Sebastien Pocognoli.

“It was a really good team performance, but I’m happy to see the individuals like Josh make their steps,” said the Belgian, whose side are now unbeaten in seven match in all competitions.

“It was not always easy at the beginning, he had some troubles being decisive in the friendlies, and we spoke about it, and he makes improvements every week.

“I’m happy to see not only the goals he makes, but that he can keep the overview in the final third to make the right decisions.”

Hibs boss David Gray lamented Iredale’s red card – his first yellow was for a foul on Jordi Altena and his second for catching Calvin Miller with a high boot – at a time when his team were chasing an equaliser.

“The first booking, for a senior player to go and do that is needless,” said Gray. “Needless, and he knows that.

“It’s a mistake, players make mistakes. But the message at half-time was ‘make sure you don’t get sent off, nothing silly,’ because we’ve been in this movie before with self-inflicted red cards.

“I think it’s very self-inflicted at that point, but it certainly took all the momentum out of the game for us which was definitely with us at that point.

“The first-half performance wasn’t where it needed to be and we deservedly went in behind at half time.

“We made a few changes, I could have changed anybody though. We started the second half really well, got on the front foot, scored a good goal.

“Then I can’t defend or really understand the multitude of errors that come for the self-inflicted red card at that point.”