Hearts coach McGlynn warns of Hibs threat

HEARTS coach John McGlynn has warned his side that Hibs will pose an even greater threat than usual this weekend as they bid to exact a measure of revenge for their Hampden hammering earlier this month.

The Easter Road outfit were thrashed 4-0 by their Capital rivals in the Tennent's Scottish Cup semi-final, a result that denied them the opportunity to lift the coveted trophy for the first time in 104 years.

The Gorgie club have held the upper hand in derby meetings this term, winning three and losing just once, racking up four goals against the Hibees in all three wins.

Saturday's clash is vitally important to both teams with the Jambos looking to qualify for the lucrative Champions League and Hibs desperately seeking the points to boost their hopes of UEFA Cup football next term.

And with the Leith outfit still licking their wounds from the last meeting McGlynn is wary of a potential backlash on Saturday. "There could well be revenge on Hibs' minds and that is something we will have to contend with," he said.

"They've already beaten us once this season at Easter Road and they will be trying to do that again I'm sure. But we'll be concentrating on our own job and making sure that we play to our best.

"If we pay too much attention to what the opposition are doing you can make life even more difficult for yourselves although you also have to be aware that they will have plenty of motivation for the game."

Most of the talk in the build-up has focussed on Hearts' battle to hold off Rangers in second place.

The Jambos currently enjoy a five-point advantage over the Glasgow giants while they are also 14-goals to the good with just four fixtures remaining.

But McGlynn is aware that Hibs will view their upcoming meeting as a win-or-bust game with the Easter Road side knowing they must not only stay ahead of Kilmarnock if they are to secure UEFA Cup football but also hope Alex McLeish's men can overhaul their rivals.

"From our point of view we are determined to seal second place but Hibs will be looking at it as a chance to boost their UEFA Cup hopes without a doubt," said McGlynn, who was in charge of the team the last time they travelled across the city.

"They will be well up for the game and although matters are out their own hands they know they have to do their bit.

"But regardless of what is at stake in terms of the league, it's a derby game so both sets of players and fans will be desperate to win it.

"Although these other issues are massive they will take care of themselves and it's vital we just go out and try and win this game."

Hearts' superiority over their city rivals this term, combined with the home side's mounting injury problems, has led to some pundits taking a win for the visitors this weekend for granted.

But with a potential £10 million windfall up for grabs if the Jambos can make it into Europe's premier club competition next season, McGlynn insisted that the players are firmly focused on the game.

"It's too important a game for complacency to set in," he stressed.

"Yes we've done quite well against Hibs this season but this game is a one-off and anything can happen.

"There just happens to be a bit of added importance to this one and I'm sure both teams will be going all out for the win.

"As a team we maybe haven't been over the distance before but most of our players have in other countries and that can only help us.

"They've been to cup finals and played in a lot of big matches and that experience allied to the determination of the Scottish players is a good mix.

"Hopefully that can help us achieve some success this season as so far we haven't achieved anything.

"Valdas [pictured left] has gone on record saying that it's all about what we do from now until the end of the season and because we are ahead in the league he's right.

"As long as we do the business on Saturday and don't take our eye off the ball at all it's only natural that the pressure would then be on Rangers.

"If we win they would have to go to Celtic Park and win and that's a tough task for any side."