Hearts captain Berra fired up and ready for battle

Hearts and Hibs last met on January 19 when Andrius Velicka prodded the only goal of a tousy game past Yves Ma-Kalambay. The craving for revenge isn't likely to have waned much in Leith during the intervening nine months which ought to make for a powderkeg occasion on Sunday. Berra is counting on it.

A rapid ascent from reserve centre-back to first-team mainstay, club captain and Scotland internationalist has allowed him to sample his fair share of Edinburgh derbies at the relatively young age of 23. The onus is on him to relay the magnitude of the occasion to those who will make their debuts in this fixture, such as Marian Kello and Mike Tullberg. He isn't likely to miss them.

"In some other games crowds can sound a bit low and the place isn't so atmospheric, but Sunday will be bouncing," he said in an exclusive Evening News interview. "The fans will be screaming for us to do well and we'll get a bit of abuse as well, that's the joys of playing in big games. A lot of players thrive on that and I'm one of them. I like playing at these places.

"I know it will be a hot reception, that's what you want to play in. The atmosphere will be red hot but hopefully that brings out the best in us.

"You get used to it. Maybe some of the boys who don't have much derby experience could be affected a bit but I've played in quite a few now. I just treat it like any other game. There's a bit more nerves and more of an edge and passion on the actual day. You're not up for it more but you recognise it's a big game and it's different in that sense."

Hearts' form ahead of their journey across the city may not be cause for buoyancy, but Berra has previous experience of having his back pinned to the wall at Easter Road. He recalls the match in April 2007 when Marius Zaliukas executed an inspirational winning goal to extinguish enthusiasm for Hibs' CIS Cup parade.

"I remember a couple of seasons ago we were on a horrendous run, the press were caning us left, right and centre and we went to Easter Road and won 1-0," he said. "In derbies, anything can happen. Who would have expected Rangers to go to Parkhead and win 4-2 recently?

"We've lost our last two games but we haven't been playing badly. Things haven't been going for us but it's not like we're low on confidence. Some players have maybe switched off for a split second and it's cost us. That's things we work on in training. We're a team, we'll win together and lose together. This is a good game to start back with after the international break."

Berra was an unused substitute in Scotland's 0-0 draw with Norway last weekend and consequently enters Sunday's match harbouring an air of refreshment after two weeks without competitive action. Hibs' forwards, Colin Nish, Steven Fletcher and Derek Riordan, will conduct a rigorous examination of the Hearts defence but the captain isn't overly perturbed by their threat.

"Hibs had a bad start to the season and are now coming into a bit of form," continued Berra. "They are a point ahead of us in the league so if we are to go there for a victory we'll have to play extremely well. You have to learn not to be overconfident, there is no easy game in the SPL. They've signed Riordan and they now have a few dangerous players. But so do we. We don't have to go there worrying about them. We have to deal with their dangermen but our focus is on Hearts' game. If we're solid, composed and play football like the manager has encouraged us to do in training, we can put a good show on and get a victory.

"We've analysed the defeats against Dundee United and Kilmarnock and the manager has pointed out where we went wrong. We didn't play well at Tannadice but a draw would probably have been a fair result against Kilmarnock. Since I've been back from international duty, training has been lively and the boys are confident. Derbies are when your big players come to the fore and we are all looking forward to this one, it's live on television and it should be a full house at Easter Road."

If Hearts are to have a chance of victory, scoring first would appear essential for a side not without its striking conundrums. Manager Csaba Laszlo is still seeking an ideal combination in attack but has succeeded in instilling some much-needed character in his team.

Berra said: "If you look at this season we've shown we can come back from going behind or losing an equaliser. I don't think the boys have let the heads go down too often, although I'd agree that we do have to learn to draw sometimes. Maybe that's just inexperience because we have a young team overall.

"When things aren't going so great it's a case of just holding out and accepting a point, but we always want to attack and score which leaves gaps. You have to learn and be experienced because draws mount up at the end of the season. This is our local rivals but it's still only three points. If we get them I'll enjoy it just as much as I did getting three points at Hamilton."

One or two in Easter Road's South Stand on Sunday will rejoice with a tad more satisfaction if Hearts secure victory. Berra has seen it all before and knows precisely what to expect.

Taken from the Scotsman