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| <-Page | <-Team | Sun 15 Oct 2006 Hibernian 2 Hearts 2 | Team-> | Page-> |
| <-Srce | <-Type | Herald ------ Report | Type-> | Srce-> |
| Valdas Ivanauskas | <-auth | Darryl Broadfoot | auth-> | Charlie Richmond |
| Mikoliunas Saulius | [M Zemamma 4] ;[C Killen 15] | |||
| 6 | of 056 | Andrius Velicka 27 ;Andrius Velicka 73 | L SPL | A |
Edinburgh’s old pals’ act stops hereDARRYL BROADFOOT October 14 2006 ALL'S fair in love and war. Paul Hartley and Scott Brown cast aside their rivalry for the common cause in Kiev this week, but hostilities will be renewed when the tempestuous twosome line up in confrontation at Easter Road tomorrow afternoon. The combustible duo have provided an intriguing subplot to recent Edinburgh derbies. The highly volatile midfielders have engaged like rutting stags in the middle of Tynecastle and Easter Road. The incendiary duel exploded during Hibs' 2-1 home win last season, Brown goading a snarling Hartley by puckering in his direction. Alas, they kissed and made up while passing away the hours before Wednesday night's 2-0 defeat to Ukraine in Euro 2008 qualification Group B. The upshot of the conversations was a realisation that they are, in fact, kindred spirits; born winners and bad losers. "To be fair, I have spoken to him quite a bit since we have been away," said Hartley, the elder and wiser. "I did not know him until I went away with the squad. We have had quite a few run-ins on the pitch and I'm sure it will happen on Sunday, but after the game we will probably have a chat. "We have not done that in the past but now I have got to know him a bit better and he is a really nice lad. We give it our all, we are winners and want to do well but, as I said, I have got to know him over the last 10 days or so and he is a very nice lad. "I remember when he blew me a kiss but that is just part of football. We have spoken about the games we have played in, especially that one." Expect tempers to flare again at Easter Road. Hearts have a dismal recent record in Leith, having failed to win in the past four years. They will be motivated to ensure a fitting farewell to their departing management team; Tony Mowbray gone and Mark Venus expected to follow when a replacement is appointed. Valdas Ivanauskas is intent on bettering last season's domestic effort in finishing second in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague, behind Celtic yet ahead of Rangers. His employment might depend on it, given Hearts' failure to make an impact in the Champions League and UEFA Cup. Hartley has endured upheaval with regularity at Tynecastle but expects Hibernian to cope with the emotional strain of losing their respected leader. "They will be disappointed but I don't think it will affect them on Sunday," said Hartley of the changes across the city. "Once they cross that white line, they will be doing their utmost to win. They will miss him but I don't think it will have too much effect on Sunday. We know what it is like to lose a manager and they will want to do their best to impress their new manager, whoever it may be. He could be there on Sunday." Ivanauskas is also acutely aware of the side effects of managerial change. The Lithuanian has survived, and, indeed, prospered as a result of the departures of George Burley and Graham Rix. Hibernian's predicament has not been self-inflicted although, paradoxically, they have been victims of their own success. Having flourished under the enterprising tutelage of Mowbray, the timing of his departure to West Bromwich Albion could not be worse. Preparations for the derby match have been over- shadowed by the inevitable return south of one of British football's most accomplished young managers. Injury and selection doubts have been superseded by a growing list of potential replacements. In the meantime, Venus, Mowbray's assistant, will assume the reins on a temporary basis before a reunion at The Hawthorns. Ivanauskas is no stranger, either, to the ominous role of caretaker, but with his team given a psychological edge, he nevertheless expects the Mowbray legacy to endure. "There are no favourites in derbies," he reasoned. "Every derby is the same: Edinburgh, Hamburg, Munich or Glasgow. I expect a fight. I know Tony very well. He was a very, very good manager for Hibs. His two years were perfect for Hibs because he signed a lot of young players, and a lot of players went to other clubs, like [Garry] O'Connor and [Derek] Riordan, so I think it's a big miss for Hibs." "He's a very ambitious manager, and if you have such a big chance in the English championship, you take the chance. He deserves it. I wish him well." Hearts have not emerged victorious from Easter Road for four years, but Ivanauskas adopts the Mark Twain philosophy to statistics. Hearts ended a barren spell at Fir Park last month and their manager is imbued by a sense of optimism having won three of last season's derbies, albeit two losses occurring in Leith. "I don't like statistics but it was the same with Motherwell," he said. "Last season, we lost both games at Easter Road. It's not good and we need to change it, but it was very positive in both games at Tynecastle and the [Tennent's Scottish Cup] semi-final was perfect for us."  Taken from the Herald |
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