Whitakker aiming to treat Hibs fans to another derby triumph

HIBS wreaked revenge for their early-season mauling at Tynecastle as they brought high-flying Hearts crashing back to earth by consigning the Jambos to their first defeat of the season when they travelled across the city a couple of months later.

The taunts of "we are unbeatable" died in the throats of the maroon platoons as goals from Guillaume Beuzelin and Garry O'Connor sent the green-and-white army crazy. But for Steven Whittaker the pain of that August day out in Gorgie still remains, the Scotland Under-21 sidelined for the visit of Hearts by injury, relegating him to the role of mere spectator.

Now the classy right-back is determined to erase his own personal memories, well aware that while nothing beats winning a derby - doing so on your opponents' home soil makes it taste even sweeter.

It's a joy Whittaker has enjoyed in the past and he insisted that rather than travel to Tynecastle intent on escaping with a point, Tony Mowbray's side will be seeking to close in even further on their arch-rivals.

Victory over Dunfermline has renewed confidence on the east side of Edinburgh following a dismal run over Christmas and New Year, despite which Hibs are just six points behind big-spending Hearts.

Whittaker said: "I think both clubs are in a similar position, Hearts are looking to catch Celtic and we will be trying to pull ourselves even closer to them. I don't think we will be going hoping for a point, we'll be looking to win the game. It's really sweet to win a derby on their pitch, you treasure moments like that and hopefully tomorrow will be another to remember for us.

"It will be a tough game but it is great for Edinburgh to see both clubs splitting the Old Firm, not to see Celtic and Rangers sitting first and second for a change."

Taken from the Scotsman