All set for a cracker

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS boss John Robertson has predicted a firecracker derby at Tynecastle tonight as the Capital sides battle for Europe.

The rearranged game comes as both sides have something to prove after suffering Cup semi-final exits at the weekend.

Robertson said: "There is the disappointment of not making the cup final for both sides but what a game to get over it with.

"The stadium will be packed, it’s a massive game for both sides and it should be a cracker.

"Hibs will be looking for the win to put us out of the race for Europe but we know a victory will put us right back in the mix.

"It’s a huge game at any time in the calendar but especially so at this stage of the season and I sure both sets of fans realise the significance of the game which will make for a terrific atmosphere."

The game is officially a 17,500 sell-out with the last few briefs having been sold at tea time yesterday.

Meanwhile, Hearts star Neil Janczyk has been given the chance to win a dream move to England by joining Coventry City on trial, the Evening News can reveal.

The 22-year-old trained with the Coca-Cola Championship side for the first time yesterday at the start of a week-long stay under the watchful eye of Highfield Road boss Micky Adams.

Janczyk started just his second game of the season for the Jambos in last month’s home defeat from Inverness Caley Thistle, the midfielder being given a rare top-team outing with the squad decimated by a flu virus.

A player who has failed to fulfil his potential since joining the Gorgie club in the summer of 1999, his biggest moment came in the derby clash against Hibs in November 2002. Handed his first taste of the Capital clash as a late substitute, he was instrumental in the Jambos’ dramatic comeback triumph, the midfielder setting up both Kevin McKenna and Phil Stamp as Hearts stunned their hosts 2-1 in the closing minutes at Easter Road.

He has since struggled to make an impression at Tynecastle but was a regular member of this season’s UEFA Cup squad.

His representative Darren Jackson said today: "Neil is down at Coventry for a week’s trial and this is a big opportunity for him.

"He has the ability to play at any level and a fresh start could do him the world of good."

Teenager Jason Thomson is standing by for an Edinburgh derby baptism of fire in tonight’s Euro crunch against Hibs.

The youngster has played just once for the first team - in the recent clash against Inverness Caley - but could be called into action at Tynecastle with regular right-back Robbie Neilson racing against time to recover from the ankle sprain suffered against Celtic in Sunday’s Tennent’s Scottish Cup semi-final clash at Hampden.

Robertson will give Neilson a late fitness test but insisted today he will not hesitate to throw Thomson in if required.

"Jason Thomson was terrific against Caley and will come in if Robbie doesn’t make it."

• GRAHAM WEIR was the Hearts hero as the Jambos won the SPL Reserve derby at Forthbank Stadium.

The striker notched the only goal of yesterday’s game after 51 minutes to clinch a 1-0 victory for the Tynecastle side, which included the experienced quartet of Kevin McKenna, Michael Stewart, Phil Stamp and Ramon Pereira.

Hearts: Moilanen, McGeown, Tierney, Lithgow, McKenna, Stewart, Stamp (Gay), Simmons (Kennedy), Weir, Mole, Pereira (McLaughlin).

Taken from the Scotsman