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8 big Hearts and Hibs questions answered as Ryan Stevenson and Tam McManus look at burning Edinburgh derby issues

By Sport NewsnowDecember 24, 2024No Comments6 Mins Read

8 big Hearts and Hibs questions answered as Ryan Stevenson and Tam McManus look at burning Edinburgh derby issues

It’s a blockbuster showdown in the capital with the Edinburgh pair struggling at the wrong end of the table

Hearts and Hibs are ready to go to battle one again — WHO WINS ON THURSDAY?

Ryan: Hearts. We have dominated Hibs throughout the years, and although their present performance isn’t up to par, this is a fixture, my dear. Hearts have always been able to pull something positive out of difficult situations. It’s tight, but Hearts will prevail if they show up.Forecast: Hearts 3 vs. Hibs 1

TAM: Hibs. I haven’t entered a derby with such assurance in a long time. They are moving forward. I would have responded differently if you had asked me this question a month before to the 3–3 draw with Aberdeen. Big Rocky’s goal in the dying minute, however, has given Hibs a huge advantage. They have a lot of goals and have won three of the previous four games.Forecast: Hibs 2 vs. Hearts 1

Ryan: It’s hard to say. Since I respect Neil Critchley’s style and how he is trying to play, I genuinely feel terrible for him. He needs a few windows, though, as this isn’t his team. You see, if you lose this, any manager will suffer. That is the situation. For both groups of fans, especially during the holiday season, it is the one game that truly counts. It’s up to the players.

It’s Critchley, TAM. David Grey has always been supported by Hibs supporters, who place more blame on the board than the manager for the team’s early-season problems. I don’t believe that Critchley was originally desired by Hearts supporters. Leaving Europe was a catastrophe, and a week later, they lost a derby.

DOES IT MATTER THAT IT’S AT TYNECASTLE?

Ryan: In a big way. 17,000 of the 20,000 spectators in the stadium will be cheering for Hearts to win. If you’re winning, it’s a great place to play, as we all know. Hearts must exploit that to exert pressure on Hibs; they are under pressure. However, it should motivate them to battle, scrape, and sprint till they lose and win. If they don’t, it will be disgusting.

TAM: Hearts should have a slight advantage because they are playing at home, but only if they are winning. Like Easter Road, Tynecastle is toxic if Hearts are struggling. The supporters will turn against their team if Hibs scores first. That must be the strategy. Make Hearts the target of intimidation.

ON PAPER RIGHT NOW WHICH SIDE IS BETTER?

RYAN: Both are wildly underperforming at the moment, so it’s a lot of a muchness. However, if form is taken away, I believe Hearts’ midfield and back four are superior. There aren’t many better up front if Lawrence Shankland is in form. Regardless of your point of view, Dwight Gayle has played and scored in the Premier League and is a member of Hibs.

TAM: There aren’t many players on the Hibs team that I would replace with Hearts players at this time. Like everyone else, I was surprised to see them struggle because I thought they would both do well this season. In the latter third, Hibs are unquestionably superior. While Hearts is heavily dependent on Lawrence Shankland, I consider Martin Boyle, Nicky Cadden, and Elie Youan.

WHO ARE THE MATCHWINNERS?

Ryan: We can win the game with three players. James Penrice is passing with great style, Blair Spittal is scoring from midfield and looking terrific, and Lawrence Shankland is the clear choice. Despite being our left back, he is our best player going forward, which makes it absurd. Kenny Vargas and Alan Forrest must get their finger out. The chances of Hearts winning are high if these players activate it.

TAM: Youan Elie. Earlier in the season, I was critical of him. However, he has been outstanding ever since Dundee’s loss, when Marvin Bartley gave him a fair shake. He has scored in the last two games and was named man of the match against Aberdeen at Easter Road. He seemed to flourish on significant events and hit a double at Tynecastle last season. Cadden and Boyle are also very significant.

WHO IS BIGGEST THREAT IN OPPOSITION?

RYAN: If Dwight Gayle is healthy, he is definitely talented. Martin Boyle is the obvious choice, and Nicky Cadden has been playing well recently. Hearts must stop their main threats as soon as they can. I used to be willing to take yellow cards along with Ian Black, Jamie Hamill, Danny Grainger, and Marius Zaliukas to get rid of Hibs players who were bothering us.

TAM: Hibs needs to be wary of Blair Spittal. I’ve always been drawn to him. He specialises on set pieces and has a talent for scoring goals both inside and outside the box. In the last two games, he has scored goals. Apart from Spittal and Shankland, there aren’t many players that Hibs should be worried about.

WHAT WILL A WIN DO FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON?

Ryan: It will be a huge blow to their confidence if Hearts send them off the road with nothing to show for it. There’s nothing better, I promise. If they don’t follow up their victory on Sunday with a derby victory, it won’t mean anything. The afternoon that Hearts kick off must be this one. Players must be prepared to engage in combat.

TAM: It would be enormous if Hibs won this and went four wins out of five. It was a fight for relegation a few weeks ago. By Thursday at 3pm, it might be time to aim for a spot in the top six and possibly Europe. That is unquestionably where Hibs should be. Defeating Hearts would be the

BEST DERBY MEMORY

RYAN: After we were beaten, the League Cup quarterfinal at Easter Road in October 2013 was the highlight, even though I scored a respectable number of goals against Hibs. It was the greatest night of my career to defeat Hibs on their patch with a group of young youngsters. Additionally, they came to demote us at the end of that season, but we beat them—not on our pitch!

TAM: My derby debut was at Tynecastle in May 2000. despite the fact that we lost 2-1. Having my maiden derby start at Tynecastle was important because there were a lot of young boys out. Sky awarded me man of the match after I set up the goal. It was electrifying to celebrate it in front of the Hibs supporters in the net.

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