WE'RE THE HIGHBEES - MOWBRAY: MY BABES HAVE MADE THIS DERBY GREAT AGAIN

TONY MOWBRAY reckons the profile of the Edinburgh derby is at its highest in years as the capital clubs slug it out for a place in the Champions League.

The Hibs boss believes if his side can defeat Hearts at Tynecastle today and narrow the gap on second place to three points it would be a phenomenal feat.

Mowbray tasted victory for the first time in an Edinburgh derby with a memorable 2-1 victory at Tynecastle last April.

This season it's honours even with one win apiece, Hearts dishing out 4-0 drubbing in August at Tynecastle and Hibs gaining revenge with a 2-0 win at Easter Road in October

Mowbray said: "I don't know what the derbies were like in previous years but I do know Hearts were in the ascendency and finished third in recent seasons.

"The Edinburgh derby is a prominent fixture now and actually means something at the top end of the table. Its high profile can only be good news for the Scottish game.

"There is the potential for us to close the gap on Hearts to just three points. That would be some achievement for my team after 24 games.

"After the results Hearts had at the start of the season as well as the resources they have and the amount of players they are bringing in, to be three points adrift would be a magnificent achievement for Hibs.

"But of course we could also find ourselves nine points behind them.

"Tynecastle is a difficult place to go and play football but we won there last season and that could be important psychologically.

"The atmosphere is intense and intimidating - the stands are right on top of the pitch. That gives the perception that the pitch is tight and that can hinder our brand of open, expansive football.

"You have to play the opposition as well as the day, the atmosphere and the surroundings.

"There are different issues to face when playing derby games. They are like playing the Old Firm in that managers have to get very definite messages across.

"Otherwise the passion of the occasion can get the better of players. They can sometimes get too caught up in the atmosphere and forget to actually play."

But Mowbray refused to concede that a Hibs victory would all but end Hearts' title challenge with the Tynecastle side slipping 10 points behind leaders Celtic following last weekend's defeat at Kilmarnock.

And he did not rule out Hibs'chances of pipping the Jambos to second slot and a tilt at the Champions League just six weeks after writing off his own side's title chances.

Mowbray said: "I wouldn't comment on whether a Hibs victory would end Hearts' title hopes. Celtic have shown decent consistency in the league but they have also shown the other side of the coin with their Scottish Cup performance against Clyde.

"It can easily catch up on you if you don't stay focused on every game.

"Every side has their own aspirations and I know what Hibs' are. I talked six weeks ago of how we couldn't win the SPL and people questioned that.

"I'm very wary of setting this set of players definitive goals because if you fall short of them it can have a negative effect on you. At this moment we are just competing for every three points and we'll see where it takes us.

"Hopefully we'll remain in contention at the top end of the table.

"We need to win a few more games to cement a top-six place first and foremost and then push on and try to finish as high as we can.

"If second spot is still available then we will obviously go for that.

"KIlmarnock will argue that they are still in the hunt for second spot as well as they have just beaten Hearts and are on an impressive run. If any team can win a string of games on the bounce that can catapult you up there.

"The test then is to see if you can cope with that and still win football matches."

Mowbray again lamented the way the derby fixtures have fallen this season. He said: "I said this on day one when the fixtures were released and I stick by it - I can't see why we are due back at Tynecastle for a second time before the split just like last season.

"I don't know why the fixtures were not reversed - they do it for the Old Firm don't they?

"There possibly is a psychological edge to have going into the split if you have home advantage twice and manage to get your noses in front.

"But if we get a victory that will all swing on its head."

Taken from the Daily Record