The former Chelsea and Scotland star caused a stir when he suggested fellow Hibbees would love to see Jambos win
dailyrecord
Tam McManus
17:00, 26 Feb 2026
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Hibs fans
This Hearts title challenge is no laughing matter for Hibs fans but reading Pat Nevin on the Daily Record website the other day did give me a chuckle.
Wee Pat said most ‘intelligent’ Hibees will deep down be hoping the Jambos will win the league. My first repose was, ‘what’s he been smoking?!’ Erm, naw Pat. I have yet to meet a single Hibs supporter who wants Hearts anywhere near the title.
It’s their worst nightmare. Maybe I don’t quality as one of the ‘intelligent’ ones but there are plenty smarter than me who have the absolute fear of what is unfolding this season. Sunday summed it up. Hibs winning at Celtic Park for the first time in 16 years should have been cause for celebration.
It was a brilliant performance and a cracking result. It keeps alive the fight for a top four place and was further proof the team has kicked on since the January window. But, instead, it was the most bittersweet of wins ever – because it might have handed the title to Hearts.
With Rangers and Celtic slipping up and going head-to-head this weekend, the road has opened up for the Jambos.
Hearts players celebrate after Islam Chesnokov (R) scored vs Falkirk
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Hearts players celebrate after Islam Chesnokov (R) scored vs Falkirk(Image: Getty Images)
They’ve got Aberdeen, Kilmarnock, Dundee and Livingston up next before Motherwell in the final game before the split.
I think If they get 12 points out of 12 up to the Well game the title will be just about in their grasp. They look capable of doing it, despite picking up a few injuries. And that’s what is filling me with absolute dread – along with all other Hibs fans.
I’m not sure who Pat has been speaking to but Hibees would rather anyone won the title than Hearts. The big hope now if they can be the ones to derail them when they meet after the split. You are looking at what might happen and some has mentioned the possibility of the derby on the final day of the campaign.
What prospect that would be at Easter Road. Yet even that scenario is fraught with danger. Yes it would be magic to deny Hearts in dramatic fashion. But what if it went the other way? The Jambos winning the title at Easter Road? It doesn’t bear thinking about.
I don’t think the authorities will have it but fans will be waiting for the post slit fixtures to come out to see when they will get a crack at them again. And don’t think for a second Hibs fans have forgotten Derek McInnes telling them to eff off last time around.
We saw it in the past with Craig Levein’s ‘Natural Order’ comments a few years that came back to bite him.
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Hibs fans unveil a natural order banner(Image: SNS)
There was that brilliant picture of Craig standing on the touchline with the banner just behind him. There might be another one for McInnes – but we just need to hope the Jambos haven’t wrapped it up by the time they square up.
As hard as it might be, Hibs need to concentrate on themselves right now. Despite the unfortunate knock-on effect of helping Hearts, there was a lot of positives from Parkhead. That’s back-to-back wins and were are not starting to really see the benefit of the January transfer window.
The new guys coming in have provided a spark and a freshness in the squad. There’s a buzz about them and it’s given competition for places. You’ve got Kai Andrews obviously scoring the winner against Celtic, with Felix Passlack getting the first, big Ante Suto has been a great signing, Owen Elding has been contributing too.
January was a really good window. There’s still a lot to play for as well. Everyone has been rightly raving about Motherwell but Hibs can quite conceivably catch them. We’ve seen this season they are more than capable beating anyone on their day – including Hearts.
They’ve beat them already in Leith and twice only lost to late goals on the other side of the city, when each time they deserves more from the games. No one will be looking forward to playing them at the minute and while they might not be in the title race, they are going to have a huge say in where it goes.
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But that goes back to the big worry – it’s Hearts who could benefit. You can see Hibs taking points off Celtic and Rangers after the split. That’s how crazy this season has been, we could now have Hearts fans cheering Hibs wins.
But trust me Pat, no Hibs supporter – intelligent or otherwise – will be wanting to see the Jambos having the last laugh.