Power surge

But Jamie MacDonald has laughed off suggestions the Jambos are no longer Edinburgh’s top dogs.

And he wants his side to end any argument once and for all with a victory at Tynecastle tomorrow.

It had appeared earlier on in the season that Pat Fenlon’s men were gaining the upper hand.

At that stage the Easter Road side were actually leading the SPL.

Hearts were on their knees and begging fans to hand over money so they could stay in business.

And Hibernian’s Scottish Cup win over the Jambos in November was their first in over three years.

But since the turn of the year Fenlon’s side have gone into total freefall in the SPL.

A run of just two wins in 20 games has seen them stumble into the bottom six.

Hearts’ win over St Mirren last weekend took them above their rivals for the first time in months.

Now MacDonald wants another to hammer home the advantage.

He said: “It’s a myth to say there is a change going on in Edinburgh right now.

“I don’t understand how one derby win in 15 or 16 games can signal a power shift in the capital.

“Yes they have improved from last year when we won every game we played against them.

“But I don’t see how you can call them beating us in the Cup a power shift.

“It’s still only one win and that was a cup game. If you look at the league record they have still not beaten us in the league since 2009.

“Earlier in the season they were going on about about it being their best season ever. Well maybe not ever, but their best for a long time.

“We’ve been the opposite. We’ve been really disappointed with our season.

“But if we beat them we’ll go four points ahead of them although they still have a game in hand.

“That would keep us in the frame for finishing in seventh place in the SPL.

“And that would be OK considering everything that has gone on at the club this season. We reached the League Cup final and lost with a young team.

“But seventh would be decent after being way down in 11th and struggling badly at one point.

“So personally I don’t see that being a power shift.

“If we win at the weekend for me it’s status quo.”

MacDonald was part of the Hearts side that hammered Hibs in last season’s Scottish Cup Final.

A year on and both sides will be much changed when they run out at Tynecastle tomorrow.

Both Jambos gaffer Gary Locke and Fenlon have blooded youngsters since the turn of the year.

But the keeper reckons the kids still all know just what winning the derby means to both clubs. He said: “For the last few years it’s been difficult for Hibs.

“They have been through a few transitional periods just like ourselves.

“It’s been a massive transitional period for the club here this season.

“Maybe we will be in for more of the same next year.

“But over the last few weeks we have definitely improved. We have won three out of our last four.

“And in the game we did lose at Dundee it was a red card earlier in the game that changed things.

“So our confidence is high and hopefully we win our last two games.

“It’s been disappointing not to beat Hibernian this season. But it’s something we want to go and put right.

“A win would give us a chance to stretch away from them in the league as well.”

Hibs should have beaten Hearts in their last encounter at Easter Road in March.

Television pictures clearly showed Leigh Griffiths’ long-range shot had bounced over MacDonald’s line.

But the keeper reckons the Jambos were due a bit of luck.

He said: “People have asked me if I knew it was in.

“At the time, I didn’t know because I was facing the other way. And after seeing it on telly, I still believe it wasn’t in!

“It was obviously a clear goal but it was a bit of luck that I don’t think we’ve had a lot of this year.

“I can think of plenty times things have gone against us. I’ve had six or seven own goals into me this year. So I’ll take it.

“Thankfully there won’t be any goalline technology at Tynecastle tomorrow. It’s too expensive so hopefully I will never see it there.

“Unless of course it happens the other way about — then I’ll be screaming for it!”

Meanwhile, Andy Webster returns from suspension for the derby clash to give Locke options at the back.

The Jambos defender was sent off in the defeat against Dundee at Dens Park but is back in contention.

Fellow centre-back Danny Wilson is struggling with a thigh injury but may still play a part.

Striker Michael Ngoo is also battling to be fit from a shoulder problem but will be given every chance to make it.