So after three matches, Neil Critchley remains unbeaten as Hearts head coach. However, Sunday at Easter Road gave a real insight into where the club’s problems have been this season.

Hearts had by far the most possession (63%) in the derby, but their inability to break down a vulnerable Hibs team indicates a lack of creativity in the final third.

Statistics show that Hearts took 11 shots, nine of them inside the 18-yard box, however, only two of them hit the target and Hibs goalkeeper Josef Bursik only had to make one save.

Digging deeper into the stats, Hearts’ back four had the most touches in the team by a considerable margin. Kye Rowles (109), James Penrice (96), Frankie Kent (75) and Daniel Oyegoke (70) carried out the majority of attacks.

In midfield, Malachi Boateng led the numbers with 62 touches, while Yan Dhanda had just 31 touches and just 72.7% passing accuracy in his time on the field.

Hearts have looked more solid defensively in recent weeks, so it appears that that area of ​​the pitch, which was problematic at the start of the campaign, has been resolved.

But it is the final third where games are won and this is undoubtedly where Critchley and his backroom team will align their approach for tonight’s match against Kilmarnock.