Better watch out, Hibees.. winding them up could be a big mistake

Keeper Ben Williams then claimed they’ve buried the ghost of the Scottish Cup Final.

All those comments will do is fire up the Jambos supporters and give their players an extra yard.

This is one of the few times recently that Hibs will be favourites — but the Hearts fans will crank up the atmosphere after those comments.

They will make more of it than the players I’d imagine but that will give the guys in maroon an extra yard when they walk out onto the pitch.

It is an intimidating place and I just don’t see Hearts losing — I think they will be really up for it.

In saying that, it is still a hard one to call. Hibs have shown in the last couple of derby matches they have character after the Cup Final disaster.

And the Hibs players are starting to believe with the results turning.

Hearts have had such a dominance over them in the last few years and there was always a pessimistic approach to the games from Hibs.

The longer it goes, the harder it is to overturn but they now have the edge. The last game when Hibs won in the Cup was a poor spectacle but the important thing was the result.

Anybody who wants to achieve anything needs to have a natural goal scorer. And Hibs have it in Leigh Griffiths.When they don’t play well he’s a potential match winner.

Hearts will know that if they switch off, the striker has pace and can score goals from anywhere.

He has definitely been a bonus for Hibs and if he was out the team then the balance would sway to Hearts.

Years ago, people would call someone like Leigh a character. Now, because of the profile and outlets you have, people have questioned his mentality and temperament.

He has had a bit of boyishness and immaturity about him and he probably has a bit to go to get fully on the right track.

But he has certainly curtailed the nonsense off the park and his performances on the pitch have improved.

It is not just his goalscoring, though, he also stretches defenders and creates space for others.

He is a constant threat and, if he continues to work hard, he might get the opportunity some people thought he’d blown when he went to Wolves and made some silly comments.

If he went down south again, I’m sure he would just focus on the job and do his talking on the pitch.

The problem for Hearts is that they don’t have a partnership up front like Griffiths and Doyle — they don’t have a natural goal threat.

But Hearts have always been a team with real spirit — and they have that about them now.

They will always stand their ground and give everything they’ve got.

They are a bit limited in terms of depth with a lot of young boys coming into the team. They have also lacked a lot of creativity but the one thing they don’t lack is that spirit.

And in derby matches that can go a long way. I certainly don’t see Hearts losing because of that.

I think Hearts at Tynecastle are a different animal.

In that environment, they know how to play those games. They will be up for the challenge.

I am going to say the game will finish 1-1 because I just don’t see Hearts losing it.

But I’d be more inclined to put money on a red card or two rather than a goal or two.

The game needs a strong referee and I’ll be very surprised if there are 22 players left on the field at the end.