Friday, March 29, 2024
In BriefJames Keatings first to score hat-tricks for Hibs and Hearts in nearly...

James Keatings first to score hat-tricks for Hibs and Hearts in nearly half a century

BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport

James Keatings became the first player for almost 43 years to score a hat-trick for both sides of the capital football divide when he helped Hibernian to their 4-1 victory over St Mirren on Saturday.

The 23-year-old moved to Easter Road in the summer after spending last season with Hearts and has now netted five times in nine appearances for the Championship outfit.

(Pic: Twitter @jameskeatings)
(Pic: Twitter @jameskeatings)

His weekend exploits led to the Hibs support proclaiming that he ‘used to be a Jambo, but he’s all right now’.

The former Celtic and Hamilton Accies marksman bagged 11 goals in 33 appearances for Hearts last term but left after being told he could not be guaranteed a regular starting slot in the Premiership this term.

Keatings, who scored a hat-trick for Hearts in their 4-0 win over Raith Rovers last August, is the first to net a treble for both clubs since the late Alan Gordon in the early 1970s.

Gordon helped himself to three hat-tricks after starting his career with Hearts and managed five during his later spell with Hibs, where he won the League and Drybrough Cups and scored twice in the famous 7-0 hammering of their city rivals on New Year’s Day 1973.

@IainCollin

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