The Edinburgh derby in the Scottish Premiership did not disappoint as fans were in for a 5-goal thriller which eventually saw Hibernian rise as the victorians.
Edinburgh derby is one of the heated derby across Europe and is the longest city based rivalry in Scotland, played between the Hibernian FC and Hearts of Midlothian FC. The Hearts are in their best season in recent times, topping the table in 20 games currently. But that did not prevent them from losing against their city rivals Hibernian.
Hibernian were off to a flying start as James McGrath netted in the 3rd minute of the game after which Josh Campbell and Kieron Bowie joined the party. The Hibs were leading 3-0, comfortably winning the game until Shankland pulled a goal for the Hearts. Cameron Devlin scored on a rebound in the 89th minute, sowing hopes in Hearts fans, and almost equalized but fell short due to a close range save from Hibernian’s goalkeeper Sallinger in the injury time.
The game served as a feast for both set of the fans, since the result did not affect Hearts position in the table. Scottish fan culture is widely recognised across europe. A clear evidence of it was when James McGrath was swarmed by the fans, when he ran towards the stands to celebrate the first goal. A young fan showing the Stone Island badge jumped off the stands in front of the advertisement board in the sidelines and celebrated the goal by hugging McGrath. He gained the title “Football Photo of the year” for his passionate reaction.
But it was a bitter finish to the incident, as he was later arrested for pitch invasion. It is a 20 year old boy whose name is undisclosed yet. He was arrested upon identification from the Scotland police, during Hibernian’s following home game against Aberdeen on December 30.
Football banning orders in Scotland were introduced along with the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice Act in 2006, to prevent people and ‘hooligans’ from causing an offence or any disorder in relation to a match event. No wonder, why the guy was arrested by the police than just a stadium ban, as the act is in accordance with the law enforcement department of Scotland.
Hibernian Fans have faced Stadium bans very often in the past. Most recent being in 2023 when a fan received a life ban for displaying offensive graffiti and stickers mocking the 1971 Ibrox disaster. Also in 2019, a fan faced 10-year football banning order and a prison sentence for confronting Rangers captain James Tavernier on the pitch.
Although the severity of the ban in this case is yet to be discovered, fans hope this would not be as serious as the previous ones, even more lighter if this is a first time offence.
Fans stated that the police were looking for the guy during the Hibernian vs Aberdeen game. As soon as the stewards in the East Stand spotted him, he was taken out and arrested by the police.
A photo of the arrest had been shared on X( formerly Twitter), but there are still confusions over whether it was the same fan or another one involved in the act.
The face of the fan getting arrested is covered, yet the outfit matches with the person who was also caught in the photo jumping over the ad boards.
However, this might just be enough for a game ban but for criminal conviction, a higher standard of proof might be needed.
Fans condemn the act as harsh, considering that it was a reaction fuelled by passion and nothing disturbing the flow of the game. These kind of acts are normal across many stadium and do not demand an arrest or ban. Just a day after the game, it was considered as the football photo of the year. Imagine celebrating with the goalscorer of your favourite team. Such a photo would straightaway go into the louvre of any football fanatic.
I hate what football has become sometimes. https://t.co/exIOsqTZEu
— Blair McNally (@BlairMcNally1) January 2, 2026
Arresting someone for celebrating a goal on the pitch? Bit fucking harsh https://t.co/WyJTCZmYYg
— AG (@AGCeltic__) January 2, 2026
I am really beginning to dislike modern football.
— David Carson (@carson_david) January 3, 2026
There is so much wrong with the professional game these days.
The joy is being ripped right out if it. https://t.co/uL4zAekvud
Police "Scotland", doing England's dirty work, and not much else 👍 https://t.co/4IZMgpiFFo
— find me on (💙sk👁️) 👋 (@RebelHibee) January 2, 2026
Arrested and charged for running across some grass? Everything that’s wrong with modern day football. https://t.co/9bxySRCXiN
— 🎣 (@Elliotnew1905) January 2, 2026
Aye, let's drain a bit more of the passion, emotion and love out of our game. I mean, at least we can keep light shows, organised pyrotechnics and goal music eh? Clueless. https://t.co/tuvxpJ3cX6
— Middle Age Fanclub (@grahamcrosby) January 2, 2026
@double_d1286
This has got to be a joke 🙄
Fans make football and the joy in his face says it all
@LFCHistoryShow
Ridiculous if true. Modern football is turning into a parody, a joke. Leave the lad alone. YNWA
dazhmfc
Absolute joke if true, we all get caught up in the moment in big games, the fact the authorities have time to go digging to find him and charge him when there was no harm done yet don’t have the time to investigate the nonces and murderers shows exactly how fucked this world is
@DanMcMahonF1
Thing is, have you noticed every other fan celebrating who chose not to do what he did? When you attend matches for a long time, self-control in grounds is something you have to learn. Nothing wrong in being passionate, doesn’t mean you need to get on the pitch.
@colin_calcio
You just know Hibs will use that photo on their socials in the future at some point too.
What a fucking joke that is. Embarrassing.
@LiveAt2elve
This would be a picture that many sports outlets then go on to use in SPL promotional material 😂
