Although it may not have been the result we were after on Tuesday evening, the Edinburgh derby showed that when the Hibs support put their minds to it, Easter Road is still an excellent place to watch football.
With pre-match entertainment, Mixu Paatelainen bringing out the match ball, an excellent East Stand display and even fire machines, it was without doubt the best atmosphere since fans returned post-Covid.
The impressive start on the pitch led to a vocal backing from the three home stands and despite a goalless 90 minutes it was an atmosphere which continued until full time.
If Josh Campbell’s shot had found a way past Toby Sibbick and Craig Gordon in the dying moments, the place would have erupted.
Attendances and the stadium experience in general have been a hot topic in recent months, but Tuesday’s derby proved we’ve still got what it takes to show up in numbers and really get behind the team.
Shaun Maloney and many of the players commented on how impressed they were with the supporters on the night and noted the connection they felt between themselves and those of us in the stands.
We shouldn’t underestimate the difference each and every one of us can make to the guys on the pitch.
The backing from all three stands was superb, but a mention has to go to Block Seven who put on a great pre-match display in the East Stand and, more importantly, were central to the tributes paid to young Devin Gordon on 13 minutes.
As supporters of rival sides in Edinburgh it’s easy to focus on all of the things which make us different when Hibs meet Hearts on derby day.
The minute of applause and banner unveiled in the south-east corner of the stadium was a significant moment which brought all 20,000 people together in the heat of battle – it was poignant and showed the very best of both sets of fans on the night.
While most of us were sulking on Sunday following a disappointing 3-2 defeat to Livingston last weekend, the Block Seven guys were back at Easter Road setting out thousands of individual green, white and black plastic sheets to make Tuesday evening’s pre-match tifo possible.
It’s easy to wonder in the post-match photos of the display without realising just how much work goes into making less than five minutes of spectacle possible.
Block Seven have rightfully been questioned at times this season when they’ve got things wrong, but it’s important to recognise when they get things right – Tuesday night was undoubtedly one of those occasions.
The challenge to us all, including the decision makers at the club, is to make sure nights like Tuesday are not one-offs. Buying a ticket needs to be attractive, going to the match needs to become re-engrained into our weekly routines after two years where other things were allowed to take over.
When we back the team in big numbers we can create a really positive place to watch football. The energy and enthusiasm is carried onto the pitch and it has the power to create a real impact on the players.
While fans have been looking around wondering where missing season ticket holders have been at times throughout the season, it’s important to note while we all readjust following the impacts of Covid that the fixture scheduling has been less than kind to the club so far this season.
Our home fixtures against Celtic, Rangers, Hearts and Aberdeen have all been on a midweek evening.
The hand we’ve been dealt is absolutely unprecedented for the first round of our most attractive home fixtures. Fans with travel needs, young children or access difficulties have all been forced to make a decision about whether or not to attend the evening kick offs and endure the subsequent headaches caused as a result.
In a wider context, we’ve only had eight Saturday 3pm kick offs from 24 league games so far this season. Just a third of our league games have been in the primetime slot for Scottish professional football – only Celtic and Rangers have had less.
The recent attendance issues are not a problem unique to Hibs, almost any club handed such a terrible fixture list would feel the same effects.
Tomorrow’s meeting with St Mirren is likely to be a far smaller crowd than the derby and the stadium will be quieter as a result, but the importance of a strong home backing isn’t any less.
What happens next is very much up for debate but should be shaped by all of us. Whether the singing section moves, ticket prices change or the matchday experience is enhanced has to be with the main aim of filling Easter Road as often as possible.
If you were at the match on Tuesday night and you can get along tomorrow, or again in the near future, it would be great to have you.
The more fans we can get through the gates on a Saturday afternoon (or a Tuesday, Wednesday or Sunday), the more Hibernian voices we have shouting the team on to victory.
It’s in all of our interests to strive for a regular, strong home support.
Easter Road has still got it.
The East Stand 