Liam Miller insists there is more to come from Easter Road high-fliers in second half of the season

Now, after losing 4-1 to Rangers last Sunday, Hibs are in need of a pick-me-up. Hearts, on the other hand, have won their last three games, including an inspiring 2-1 victory over Celtic, and have hauled themselves up to fifth place.

Football in the capital has not been turned completely upside down this past fortnight: Hibs are still favourites, given home advantage and their form over the season so far, and Hearts' shortcomings have not been magically erased. But from the point of view of morale, the clubs are coming into this match from a different angle than would have been predicted not too long ago.

The passing of time will have ensured Hibs are over the disappointment of that defeat by Rangers, and the champions' 7-1 demolition of Dundee United at Ibrox in midweek has thrown a more forgiving light on Hibs' loss three days earlier.

Nonetheless, John Hughes' team are anxious to return to winning ways against their city rivals, and to show they can maintain the improvement they have achieved since the former Falkirk manager took charge at Easter Road in the summer.

"The second half of the season is a big test for us," Liam Miller said this week. "We feel as a team we can do a lot better in the second half of the season. We've probably dropped points here and there, not played as well as we can do, and I suppose ground out results. But if I was looking back over the last few games, I think there's a lot more to come from us."

The loss to Rangers was the first time in a league match the midfielder had been on a losing side for Hibs after starting the match. He was only a substitute, and a little short of full match fitness, when Hibs last lost against Hamilton Accies.

Miller has played a critical role in Hibs' rise, and has a healthily self-critical approach to his own game. The club's supporters may have been pleased by the rapid progress shown, but the Irishman thinks that he and his team-mates cannot afford to indulge in any self-congratulation.

"It's no time to go patting yourself on the back," he said. "There's still six months of football to be played, and if anything we've got to look to improve in those six months.

"It's going to be a really tough game against Hearts, but it's one everyone's looking forward to. Sunday can't come quickly enough now.

"We've been playing well in games, (but] we haven't dominated for 90 minutes for all we've dug out results. Hopefully at some stage we can manage that click to get us playing really good football. We've not run over teams, if you like, and I think we're capable of doing that."

He also thinks they are capable of at least remaining in touch with Rangers or Celtic. "I don't think they will run away with it, but I'd like to think we'll take it game by game and try and win every game we can," he added.

"There's still a long way to go and we're not going to write ourselves off now. I certainly won't say we're going to win the league or anything, but it would be nice to build on this on Sunday."

Victory tomorrow would maintain Hibs' push for a Europa League spot at the end of the season.

European football is something for Miller to look forward to after he was denied the chance to play in this summer's World Cup. Thierry Henry's infamous handball in France's play-off with the Republic of Ireland still rankles with many but Miller is determined to move on.

"It was a bit of a sick bag really," he said of the incident which saw former Arsenal captain Henry use his hand to set up the goal which eliminated Ireland.

"It's happened, it's done and dusted now and you just need to move on.

"Obviously, Ireland won't be there. It's just disappointing but you get on with it."

Asked if he had been able to forgive Henry for his actions, Miller added: "You just wonder what you'd have done if you were in his shoes I suppose."