Hibs boss heaps pressure on Hearts ahead of derby

Published on Thursday 5 November 2009 08:53

HIBS boss John Hughes today insisted the pressure is all on Hearts as the Capital's big two prepare to do battle in the first Edinburgh derby of the season.

Hughes will take his side to Gorgie at lunchtime on Saturday 11 points ahead of their biggest rivals and seeking to widen that gap to 14 points as the first round of fixtures in the SPL programme comes to an end.

But, while adamant that's the target, Hughes warned his players that he believes Csaba Laszlo's team, who are eighth with just nine points from their opening ten matches, lie in a false position.

He said: "I do think the pressure is on them, they have to start winning football matches. They are at home and it is up to them to come out and win it.

"As such, it is going to be an interesting game tactically and I'm looking forward to that battle as well."

Hughes is already on record as saying that if he'd been offered 20 points at this stage of the season he'd have jumped at it but, while delighted with the start his side have made, he warned: "I've been in the game long enough to know there are highs and lows.

"We've had a right good start, but as I keep saying, we have done nothing yet, there is still a long, long way to go."

And, while many Hibs fans are salivating at the prospect of putting further distance between themselves and Hearts, Hughes had another word of caution.

He said: "I honestly feel Hearts are in a false position. I've seen them on a number of occasions. They are a good side and I feel they won't be far away from where they want to be at the end of the day.

"But Saturday is a game we are all looking forward to, we know how important it is, not least for the supporters. We want to win and for them to have the bragging rights. However, we can't let ourselves get too excited, we have to remain cool, calm and collected.

"As is always said on these occasions, the form book goes right out the window. We have to apply ourselves, keep our concentration. Derbies often come down to who has that wee bit of a maverick in their team to win the game and I think we can do that.

"It is not going to be an easy game, football never is, but we'll be going out there to give it a go, for my boys to go out there and express themselves."

Hughes was hoping Moroccan playmaker Merouane Zemmama, forced to limp out of the action after just 15 minutes against Aberdeen last weekend, would train today having received intensive treatment all week on the groin injury he sustained.

Laszlo will be forced into at least one change with Eggert Johnsson suspended following his red card in the defeat by Motherwell at Fir Park, a match skipper Michael Stewart missed through injury.

Hughes, though, insisted: "I've a sneaking wee feeling there may be one or two surprises in their team selection but we have to be prepared for everything. It doesn't matter who plays, we will be prepared for what will be their strongest possible side."