O'Hanlon wants to enjoy big city derby – for once

Published on Monday 2 January 2012 00:39

HIBERNIAN defender Sean O'Hanlon is all too aware that his club have had a poor first half of the season, but he believes that victory this afternoon can spur them on to better things. And, although Hearts are 14 points and six places better off than their rivals, the centre-half does not think that makes the visitors favourites for the game at Easter Road.

"We know we've had a disappointing start to the season," said O'Hanlon, who is 29 today. "This is a massive game for us – it can go either way.

"No-one's going to be a favourite. It's who wants it more, I suppose. A win would give everyone a lift, the fans, the players."

By his own admission, O'Hanlon has had little success in derbies either as a player or a supporter. He was on the losing side on his debut in this fixture in the autumn, and as an Evertonian grew up watching his team lose regularly to Liverpool.

"It was a great atmosphere, great passion from both fans," he said of his first experience of the Edinburgh derby. "It was just great to be involved. It was my first derby, so I'm looking forward to experiencing one at Easter Road."

Having played for MK Dons and Swindon before moving to Hibs, O'Hanlon had no previous experience of first-team derbies, although he did turn out for Everton reserves. His most memorable derby down south, was one in which two Liverpool players nearly came to blows.

"It was my first derby. I can't remember how old I was – must have been seven or eight – it was when Steve McManaman and Bruce Grobbelaar had that little bust-up on the edge of the penalty area and Grobbelaar tried to punch McManaman.

"That was my first experience. It's usually Liverpool that come out on top."

Hearts have enjoyed similar superiority in the Edinburgh derby in recent seasons.

However, having come close to snatching a stoppage-time winner against Inverness last Wednesday, O'Hanlon is confident his own side are on the verge of claiming a morale-boosting win.

Taken from the Scotsman