Derby is win or bust for Rix

The gap between the clubs narrowed yesterday but I am not necesarily dissuaded from the view that they are playing for different prizes. For Hibs, third place and a European spot is still up for grabs and that would be a phenomenal achievement for a club of their resources. If he does not make it, Tony Mowbray can continue to develop his team, free from any pressure on his position. Hearts, meanwhile, are bringing in reinforcements for a battle with Celtic. If they cannot catch the leaders, holding out for second and a shot at the Champions League would be a great accomplishment for them. Miss out, though, and Graham Rix’s short-term contract may not be renewed. The stakes are higher at Tynecastle.

Rix has been allowed to take Hearts to a new level in terms of squad depth. He will have strong cover for almost every position. At the moment his weakness remains at right midfield, but the signing of Neil McCann may provide a temporary solution at least. He may be left-sided, but the Scotland winger is a far better option for that position than the players currently available.

This game comes at a time when Hibs’ lack of depth is being exposed. It will come down to a clash between two talented midfields. Hearts have three big players in this area in Paul Hartley, Julien Brellier and Rudi Skacel, with the right side up for grabs. Hibs are strong here too, with Scott Brown and Kevin Thomson, but the injury to Guillaume Beuzelin really hurts this team. They don’t have the same quality in reserve as Hearts. That alone, though, cannot explain the run Hibs have been on, winning one from six before yesterday’s game against Dunfermline.

I am as guilty as anyone of over-hyping this Hibs team, of wanting to see these talented young Scots reach their potential. At times this season they have shown that they don’t have the guile at this stage in their careers and are as capable of slipping up against Falkirk as they are of defeating Rangers. They don’t have the experience or the depth of squad to go the distance yet. The other problem for Hibs is the goalkeeping position. Zbigniew Malkowski has looked increasingly prone to error, and when he has a bad day it can cost Hibs games. No wonder he was replaced by Simon Brown yesterday.

Hibs, however, play their best in the big games. Hearts need to keep the pressure on Celtic and, to some Hibs fans, derailing their great rivals’ title challenge will be just as important as bolstering their own European ambitions. They could lose on Saturday and maybe still make third place. For Hearts, it is more than a must-win. They need to put together the kind of run that they went on under George Burley. They lost their margin for error on New Year’s Day, when they were beaten by Celtic in a match they had in the bag. Are they capable of that kind of a run now? I believe they are, despite the Rugby Park setback.

If it isn’t working for Rix this Saturday then he can turn to an experienced bench, while Mowbray is flogging what he has. They’re good, but there just isn’t enough of them. That is the difference between the two sides, the depth that can take Hearts back into the title race. First, though, they have to regroup after yesterday and get by a Hibs team who, on their day, can tear any team in the Premierleague apart.

Taken from timesonline.co.uk