New Hibs defender Michael Nelson looking to keep unbeaten Tynecastle run in Edinburgh derby clash with Hearts

NELSON took on the Gorgie side just once while while playing with Kilmarnock, but walked away victorious with a 3-1 triumph, and is hopeful Hibs can manage the same on Sunday.
Hibs new boy Michael Nelson Hibs new boy Michael Nelson

NEW Hibernian defender Michael Nelson only has happy memories of Tynecastle - and he is praying it stays that way following Sunday's meeting with Hearts.

The former Kilmarnock centre-half, who returned to Scotland last week after agreeing a move from Bradford to Easter Road, will experience his first Edinburgh derby when Hibs travel to Gorgie.

During his 12-month stay at Rugby Park, the 33-year-old visited the maroon side of the city just once but walked away a winner following a 3-1 victory in September last year.

He will return this weekend, however, as part of a Leith squad feeling the heat following a 7-0 Europa League humiliation at the hands of Malmo and last Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Motherwell in their Scottish Premiership opener.

Nelson, though, is confident he can maintain his unbeaten record at Tynecastle.

He said: "I've only played there once and that was with Killie. We were under a bit of pressure for most of that game and then big Cillian Sheridan grabbed a hat-trick.

"It was a good atmosphere that day but I'm sure it will be a lot more intense on Sunday.

"Sometimes you can go back to grounds where you have had bad results two or three times and it can play on your mind.

"But I've been there just once and managed to win, so hopefully I can keep up that 100 per cent record."

Nelson signed in the dark days that followed the mortifying defeat to the Swedes and his debut in green could not inspire Hibs to better fortunes as Henri Anier struck a late winner for Well.

Boss Pat Fenlon is reportedly under pressure to win Sunday's derby following three successive defeats but Nelson insists the negative air swirling round Easter Road has not reached the dressing room.

"After the European game, there has been a lot of negativity around the club," he said.

"But that didn't put me off coming up here. If I was looking at a club that had been battered 7-0 in one game, 6-0 in another and 5-0 in a third, then I might ask myself questions about whether it's the right place for me.

"But I played against Hibs last year for Kilmarnock and I've seen what they are capable of. A few players have changed and the manager has brought new players in.

"It looks like there is a good blend of youth and experience and hopefully all the hard work in training can be taken into the games and we can get that first result to bounce us onto a wee run.

"The boys are frustrated obviously and were down after the game on Sunday but that only lasts for a couple of days. No one is moping around the training ground talking about outside pressure. There's no negativity within the club."

Taken from the Daily Record