Hearts manager Derek McPake has once again given Scottish football something to talk about after guiding his side to a commanding 3-1 victory over city rivals Hibernian in the season's opening Edinburgh derby at Easter Road.
The result, which saw Hearts dominate proceedings against their oldest foes, has reignited discussion in Scottish football circles about whether McPake possesses the qualities required to eventually step up to the international stage with the Scotland national team.
The derby win was the focal point of discussion on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound programme, where reporter Alasdair Lamont was joined by pundits Scott Allan and Ryan Stevenson to dissect the significance of the result and what it means for both clubs moving forward.
Hearts' comprehensive victory over Hibs represents another feather in the cap for McPake, who continues to build a reputation as one of the more astute tactical minds working in the Scottish Premiership. Deriving a three-goal margin of victory in one of British football's fiercest rivalries is no small achievement, and it has prompted pundits to consider whether his trajectory could eventually lead beyond club football.
The panel on Sportsound examined various aspects of the contest, exploring how Hearts managed to overwhelm their neighbours so emphatically. Derby matches in Edinburgh are traditionally fiercely contested affairs where fine margins often decide the outcome, making a 3-1 scoreline a particularly notable statement of intent from the Tynecastle side.
For Hibs, the defeat marks a difficult start to derby proceedings this season and will likely prompt introspection at Easter Road as the club looks to respond in the next installment of the fixture. The gap between the two sides on this occasion appeared significant, according to those who broke down the match on air.
McPake's growing stock as a manager has not gone unnoticed within the Scottish game, with his ability to get results in high-pressure fixtures such as the derby seen as a key indicator of his readiness for bigger challenges. Whether that eventually includes consideration for the Scotland national team job remains speculative, but the conversation itself speaks to the esteem in which he is currently held.
The Sportsound discussion, which aired on BBC Radio Scotland, provided listeners with detailed reaction and analysis following the full-time whistle, with Lamont, Allan and Stevenson offering their perspectives on both the immediate tactical battle and the broader implications of the result for the rest of the campaign.
Hearts fans will hope this derby success acts as a springboard for further progress under McPake's stewardship, while Hibernian will be keen to regroup and ensure the gap between the sides does not widen further when the teams meet again.
As the season progresses, all eyes will remain on how McPake continues to develop his young Hearts side, and whether performances like this one at Easter Road keep the international speculation alive in the months ahead.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.