FAN-TASY FOOTBALL

GEORGE BURLEY believes Hearts fans can act as a 12th man and roar his former club to victory in Saturday's Edinburgh derby.

Burley steered the Jambos to a 4-0 win over capital rivals Hibs in front of a packed Tynecastle in August but that was his only experience of the fixture following his shock departure in October.

Now boss at Southampton, he'll still look out for the score from Saturday's high-stakes showdown.

Hearts are refusing to give up hope of catching league leaders Celtic, who are 10 points ahead, while third-top Hibs are attempting to fend off a rejuvenated Rangers in the race for a European spot.

However, Burley reckons the odds are stacked in his former side's favour because of the impact the home fans could have on the match.

He said:"It was atremendous atmosphere during the derby game, the whole place was buzzing.

"We made a great start and managed to put the pressure on them early on.

"That was very important because things went well for us in that game. We started well and scored the goals at the right time.

"It's always great to have home advantage for these matches, the fans were a great help to us in the game and I'm sure they will be the same for Saturday."

Former Ipswich manager Burley, who had already left Tynecas by the time Hibs exacted revenge for the first derby of the season with a 2-0 win in October, added: "Naturally, I still keep an eye on things in Scotland.

"Hearts are still doing well, they are in second position in the league and Hibs are doing well also.

"It's a local derby and Hearts will just want to make sure they get the right result. They will not be looking at their position in the league."

Despite predicting honours will go to Hearts on Saturday, Burley was full of praise for Easter Road manager Tony Mowbray, an old pal from their time together at Ipswich.

He added: "I said at the start of the season Hibs would be there or there about and that's what has happened. And I'm sure they will be there at the end of the season also.

"I know Tony and Mark Venus very well and they have some very good young players at the club."

Taken from the Daily Record