Mowbray fears for derby

Hibernian manager Tony Mowbray yesterday instigated the mind games ahead of his side's Tennent's Scottish Cup semi-final meeting with Hearts at Hampden on Sunday when he urged the match officials to clamp down on their Edinburgh opponents' antics.

Mowbray had two representatives assessing Hearts' 2-1 win at Falkirk last weekend and is well aware of the furore caused by the behaviour of their top scorer, Rudi Skacel, and striker Roman Bendar.

The Czechs' propensity for simulation is such that it has provoked rebukes from interim coach Valdas Ivanauskas and team-mate Craig Gordon.

Now Mowbray has placed the responsibility for ensuring fair play prevails at the national stadium on the shoulders of Ivanauskas as well as referee Stuart Dougal and his assistants.

"I'm sure the officials will be strong," he said. "It's not something I would normally comment on but they'll be aware that this is a potentially explosive game."

He also stressed that if diving and feigning injury continued to be features of Hearts' play, it could only be because Ivanauskas condoned them.

"When there's something you don't particularly like you make it clear to your players that you, as their manager, don't want to see it," he said.

Scotland midfielder Scott Brown, missing for two months due to a broken leg, will travel to Hampden with the squad but will be used, if at all, only as a substitute.

Striker Chris Killen, who had been doubtful with an ankle injury, confirmed his availability, even though he may require a painkilling injection.

The New Zealander's presence will be crucial following the sale of Garry O'Connor and Derek Riordan's suspension. Killen, though, hopes the managerial upheaval at Tynecastle will act in Hibernian's favour.

"That must be good for us," he said. "A bit of unrest in their camp might be preying on their minds."

Mowbray has been given a timely boost with full-backs Steven Whittaker and David Murphy signing extensions to their contracts which will keep them at Easter Road until 2010.

Taken from telegraph.co.uk