Tenth vs Twelfth … who could have imagined this at the start of the season?
It’s the derby game neither manager can afford to lose. There’s always added pressure in derby games, but even more so when after five league games Hibs languish in tenth place in the Premiership and Hearts prop up the league on just two points.
And with tough League Cup fixtures coming up in midweek, the pressure’s ramped up ust that little bit higher.
The stakes really couldn’t be much higher for Paul Heckingbottom and Craig Levein – it’s not an exaggaration to say the next two games could well determine the Edinburgh clubs’ seasons – or at least the fate of their managers. Win both, your season’s back on track and the critics are silenced – at least for a wee while. Lose both, and even the most fair-minded fans will be calling for your head.
With both teams out of form, supporters will be looking desperatly for any reasons for optimism. For Hearts, the return of key personnel could be just the lift they need.
Craig Levein confirmed that Joel Pereira, Michael Smith and Steven Naismith should be fit for today’s Edinburgh derby.
The return of the trio eases the manager’s injury list, with Conor Washington joining those on the sidelines after he had surgery on his hamstring through the week.
“We’ve got the likes of Naisy and Michael Smith, who are in rehab mode and they’re getting close to being ready to play. I would expect both of them to be fit for Sunday.
“Joel’s come back up from Manchester United and is feeling good. The problem he had was a thigh strain, so we’ve not done an awful lot of kicking to this point, just to make sure we give him plenty of time to recover. That’ll be the last thing he has to do. If he gets through that, then he will be available as well.”
However, centre back John Souttar has been ruled out.
Christophe Berra thinks that Hearts can take confidence from their performances at Easter Road last season as they head into their first Edinburgh derby of the season.
The Hearts skipper believes there is no better game with which to turn around their fortunes.
“We know it’s a big game. It always is, the derby. There’s a lot of media coverage on it, both teams aren’t doing very well in the league so there’ll be a lot at stake.
“We have got a good squad of players. It’s just about gelling as a team. We are working hard out there and doing our utmost to get that performance and victory first and foremost and build on that with performances.”
Hearts captain Berra played in both games in Leith last season, the highlight being a 1-0 win just before New Year thanks to an Olly Lee wonder strike against the run of play.
“Our last two games we’ve won and we’ve drawn, so we’ll take confidence from that. It is a new season, there’s different demands on both sets of players and it’s always a tough place to go to.
“It’s about us applying our game plan, starting on the front foot and making sure the home fans turn against them, make it a difficult atmosphere for them and make it volatile.”
“Adrenaline will be high. You’ll be up for it – we always are – but it’s live on telly, away to your biggest rivals. Playing at Easter Road is always good. I don’t know what kind of atmosphere it will be. It’s a good game to have – as long as you’re coming out on the winning side.”
For Hibs, this would be the perfect fixture to return to winning ways – but to that they need to recapture the ability to score.
Hibs’ last two performances have been insipid – and goalless. Fans will be hoping the return to Easter Road and a full house against their oldest rivals will be enough to galvanise their favourites into a level of performance that has been sadly lacking this season.
While it’s unlikely to be a game of flowing football – derbies seldom are – there will be no shortage of incidents and talking points. Like their bosses, the players will be feeling the pressure – and it’s those who can handle the pressure best who will triumph on the day.
With so much at stake, both managers would probably settle for a point. As ever, though, the diehard fans of both clubs will be looking for a lot more. Pressure, what pressure?
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