Conditions set for a capital

ian paul

31 Dec 1991

GLASGOW diehards would never concede the point, of course, but the fact is that the Edinburgh derby tomorrow night (kick-off 7.30) at Tynecastle is at least as appealing on paper as the Old Firm version earlier in the day, writes Ian Paul.

Any match between the top of the premier division and a side lying in joint third is, in itself, attractive but when the two are the capital rivals there is an added and exciting dimension.

It would be fair to say that Edinburgh could be doing with real football matches between their two famous clubs, bearing in mind the ferocity of the contests that has been their trademark in recent years.

A kind of trial of strength, a macho mania, has been the norm in these games but the reasons for that attitude have passed and the consequence ought to be a more enjoyable sporting occasion.

Hibs' financial despair and the threat to their very existence, exacerbated by Wallace Mercer's attempt to take the club over, inevitably led to a match of wills tempered with bitterness when these old combatants came together.

But the change at boardroom level, the resumption of something like normal service and Hibs' lifting of the Skol Cup have combined to remove some of the underlying anger at Easter Road.

The form of Hibs has not faltered a great deal since that major trophy win, and they know that a win over Hearts would be a double bonus in that it would improve their own league position while damaging that of their neighbours.

Hearts, on the other hand, have had a marvellous opening half to the season, playing with such consistency that they have surpassed even their own aspirations by taking charge at the top of the table and staying there.

With the more sinister pressure removed, then, there is every chance that the teams will be able to entertain as well as excite the gathered thousands who will be there, not to mention those who will watch on satellite television.

No players will look forward to the derby with greater relish than two key front men, one from each side.

John Robertson, of Hearts, and Keith Wright, of Hibs, have scored the same number of goals, 11, and are popular with their respective fans.

Both know each other well, from when they were 15-year-olds at which age they played together for Edina Hibs.

They scored so many goals that they got fed up and changed positions, Wright into defence and Robertson to midfield.

Their managers of today, Joe Jordan and Alex Miller, would be rather delighted if they end up this season equally cheesed off.

For now, their contribution will be necessary to keep up the good runs of both sides.

But neither team depends on a sole scorer.

Hearts have Ian Baird, with nine goals, and Scott Crabbe, whose boast to Robertson that he would beat him in the charts this term is halfway to being realised.

Crabbe has collected 14 goals so far.

Hibs have a midfield man, Pat McGinlay, who has put the ball in the net 10 times and he, too, might have a big influence on the outcome.

He reckons that the comeback victory over Dundee United on Saturday was just the boost Hibs needed as they go into the derby match.

Hearts had a fair preparatory showing, too, beating St Johnstone 5-0.

They are unlikely to be changed at all but Hibs will find it difficult to restrict Gareth Evans to the bench after his excellent showing when he came on for Mark McGraw against United.

Manager Miller also has to decide if goalkeeper John Burridge is fit to return.

Otherwise his deputy, Chris Reid, who is half his age, will carry on.

St Johnstone will have a much older man in their goal as a replacement for Lindsay Hamilton, who was ordered off against Hearts.

Forty-two-year-old Stewart Kennedy, who left Rangers for Forfar in 1980, would become the oldest player to have graced the premier division if, as expected, he takes his place against Dunfermline at East End Park.

The Fifers, still at the bottom of the table, see this game and the next few to follow, against Hibs, Airdrie, and Falkirk, as the spell when they can bring themselves back into the pack.

Taken from the Herald