Steven Fletcher's shoulder took all the glory and at that point I was hoping for a rout, but Hibs being Hibs, they immediately gave up that man advantage. As bad as Hibs have been playing, we now have crucial games against Aberdeen and Dundee United
which, if won, could really see us challenging for Europe again. What a difference a derby win makes!
Eddie Henderson
www.hibs.netHEARTS
It's obviously never a nice feeling to lose a derby, but we can take some consolation from the fact that our five-point cushion remains intact. We dominated the game throughout, and on another day lady luck might have been smiling on us, rather than Hibs.
However, the ongoing lack of cutting edge up front meant that we were unable to take advantage of the few chances that we did manage to create. The substitutions of Driver, in particular, and Aguiar deprived us of our two biggest attacking threats.
Defensively, we also looked a bit dodgy. While Zaliukas certainly has his moments, we have missed his presence at the back, and hopefully Csaba will decide to reinstate him for the trip to Ibrox. You never quite know what he is going to do with his team selections, though.
Sandy Leonard
HAMILTON ACCIES
Let's face it; the game at Aberdeen on Saturday was just terrible. Neither team was able to play anything close to decent football on a dried out pitch and in a howling wind coming in from the North Sea. There must be a case for considering a postponement when the conditions are so poor.
With several players missing through injury and at least two turning out even though they need operations, a hat-trick of wins over the Dons was never going to happen. However, taking six points from them this season was quite an achievement.
Accies had a weary look about them at Pittodrie and the players will be looking forward to the trip to Spain that awaits after the St Mirren game. But there are at least four teams who would love to be in their position right now.
Gilbert Mowat
RANGERS
Sunday brought to mind the old adage that those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Like last season's Uefa Cup final, Walter Smith sent a team out designed not to lose rather to go for the win. Add to that a shoddy display lacking in any real quality and you have a recipe for disaster. So it proved, with no complaints from this Bear about the result as Celtic absolutely battered us in extra time and were worthy winners.
So now back to the league, and it's a testament to just how mince the SPL is that a team as bad as ours has been since December can still win it. Walter has to address the dreadfully misfiring midfield and the chronic lack of width. Regular games for Novo, Naismith, Fleck and Niguez would add some much needed zest.
David Edgar
www.theRST.co.ukFALKIRK
We did not kick a ball at the weekend but at ten to five a gloom descended over all Bairns fans as the Butcher Bounce continued, with Inverness defeating Kilmarnock and leaving us dumped well and truly at the bottom of the SPL.
We have a massive game on Saturday against Terry's boys, where a win is the only acceptable result. After that the pre and post-split games throw up two games with Kilmarnock – who are being dragged into the basement battle – Hamilton, St Mirren, Inverness (again) and either Hibs or Motherwell. Seven games against clubs we have already taken 18 points from; repeating those results should keep us in the top flight.
What a tale to tell in seasons to come of the Mighty Bairns side who won the cup and survived in the SPL against all the odds.
Brian Guthrie
www.bairnstrust.comCELTIC
Time will tell as to whether the League Cup win delivers a fatal psychological blow to our rivals and provides the launch-pad for Celtic to go on and retain the league. I have seen too many false dawns already this season to be too optimistic.
I thought Celtic controlled the majority of the game and Scott Brown thoroughly deserved man of the match. Gordon Strachan took a brave decision to play Gary Caldwell in midfield for this game; a tactic which, on the whole, had not worked before. Maybe he's getting better at it.
Looking at the remaining league games, I would concede that Celtic have the tougher run-in. Dundee United away is first up next week. We also have to travel to Tynecastle and Ibrox.
Hopefully, this keeps the players focused; I am still haunted by the "easy" run-in of 2005 and the Fir Park debacle.
David Devine
ABERDEEN
It was good fun to see Jimmy Calderwood on a satellite sports news channel, acting as a pundit during the Old Firm's latest attempt to bore all neutrals into forgetting how much we hate them.
Jimmy's cheeky-chappie act in the studio, with his headphones perched around his cheery dayglo fizzog, was enjoyable, and it's always good to see the Dons represented on national television.
Meanwhile, on the pitch, and finally the Dons win a match.
Perfect timing. Going into a vital Scottish Cup quarter-final replay on a long winless run would have piled the pressure on. It didn't matter how Saturday's game was won, but 'Bebo' Maguire's terrific hit will hopefully lift the team to believe they can make their second semi in as many seasons (not going to think about it...)
Craig Stewart
www.aberdeen-mad.co.uk