Hibs v Hearts: Gary Naysmith eyes capital classic

Gary Naysmith: Ticket request. Picture: SNS

Vital points in the race for the Championship title and bragging rights are at stake when leaders Hearts visit fierce rivals Hibs for the televised lunchtime showdown.

East Fife manager Naysmith was a team-mate of Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson at Tynecastle and the pair were members of the coaching team in Methil last year.

He also has an insight into the Hibs camp, having lined up alongside head coach Alan Stubbs during his seven years at Everton. He said: “I’ve asked Robbie to try and get me a couple of tickets. If both teams keep trying to play how they are trying to play, it could be one of the best derby games for a few years.

“I heard [Hearts assistant head coach] Stevie Crawford speak after Saturday’s win over Dumbarton, and they are striving for perfection. He said perfection would have been 7-0 or 8-0. It was 5-1 but he said the goal could have been avoided and that Hearts should have scored two or three more. If you are a fan of a club that aren’t happy with 5-1 then it’s fantastic.

“Robbie’s made some good signings and I honestly think it’s going to be difficult for anybody to catch Hearts.”

Hearts won the first derby of the season 2-1 in August, but Naysmith believes their unbeaten league record will face a stern test on Sunday, with Hibs on a run of five unbeaten matches, including a League Cup win at Ross County and a stunning victory at Ibrox over Rangers. He added: “Stubbsy looks as if he’s turned the corner and I always thought he would. Playing with him, he’s one of the biggest moaners I’ve known because he wanted everything right.

“I’d imagine he’d want to take that into his managerial career. He strives for perfection and wants his team to play the right way. Stubbsy could tackle and he could head the ball but he was a ball-playing centre-half. You could give Alan Stubbs the ball on either foot and he could launch it 60 yards. His passing was ridiculous for a centre-half.

“I watched the game against Rangers and Hibs thoroughly deserved to beat them, and to beat Livingston 4-0 at the weekend was a very good result.”