IT'S THE DO OR DIE DERBY

SIMON BROWN last night labelled the next capital derby as the most critical for years.

The Hibs goalkeeper insists neither his side nor Hearts can afford to lose Saturday's sizzling showdown at Tynecastle.

Brown and his mates are desperate for victory to slash the six-point gap on their second-placed rivals.

And Hibs are aware that success, coupled with a Celtic win at home to Dundee United, would spell the end of Hearts' hopes of capturing the SPL title.

Tony Mowbray's side also have to be aware of the increasing threat from resurgent Rangers.

Hibs are just a point in front of the Ibrox team and face a tough fight to hold on to their third place.

But Brown, who won his place back from Zibi Malkowski in Saturday's 3-1 win over Dunfermline, reckons Rangers' revival has made Hibs even more determined.

He said: "Hearts are looking to win the league and to catch Celtic as quickly as they can and that means they can't afford too many slip-ups.

"They have a big, strong squad which is being backed by a lot of money and they will be very tough opponents.

"But we're looking to catch Hearts ourselves. As long as we keep winning then Rangers won't catch us and the onus is on us to do that.

"Saturday is a must-win for both teams - a draw won't do either of us any good, and hopefully it will be us that get the three points."

Brown, an ever-present as Hibs stormed to third place last season, has had to wait patiently for his chance to reclaim the No.1 jersey after Malkowski's summer arrival.

But after stepping in when "Zibi the Hibee" missed the Scottish Cup win over Arbroath to be at the birth of his daughter Julia, Brown was handed the gloves after another hesitant display by the Pole against Aberdeen.

It was just reward for the big Englishman's hard work on the training pitch and he is now relishing the build-up to the game.

He said: "It was disappointing not to start the season after playing all the games last year but that's part of football and you have to abide by the manager's decision, no matter whether you agree with it or not. Being left out gave me a target to work towards and I did that with Ian Westwater and now with Gordon Marshall, the goalkeeping coaches.

"I've worked my socks off behind the scenes and tried to ensure that when I did get my chance I would be ready.

"I didn't have a lot to do on Saturday or in the cup game but it was great to get back playing because reserve football is not as quick as a first-team game. It was nice for my first game back to be against a lower league team in Arbroath and then have the Dunfermline game before the intensity of the derby.

"We were due a win, certainly a home win. We had been playing well but not winning and it was good to get back to winning ways.

"Hopefully the Hearts game will be a repeat of Saturday and I won't have that much to do - but I'm sure that won't be the case."

Taken from the Daily Record