Steven Naismith urges Hearts to seize Hibernian opportunity

The former Scotland internationalist was asked about his squad's fitness, his memories of playing in the derby, and why it is so much more than just another game.

Here's everything the Hearts head coach had to say: 

READ MORE: Neil Janczyk breaks down iconic Hearts cameo in derby win over Hibs

Do you expect any ins and outs? 

No. I’ve not really touched base with the medical department but no one said anything after the [St Mirren] game. Alex Lowry and Andy Halliday will probably come back into the group because they have been training for one day after having some slight knocks, so they will be in contention. But other than that I think it’s strong enough. 

How exciting a fixture is the derby? 

The games are always good. As players you always enjoy them. I certainly went into them seeing them as an opportunity as an individual. But for us as a team it’s another good opportunity to get three more points and continue the consistency in results. It’s also against your rivals, so it’s easy to get up for it and be ready for it. We will be ready 

The fans were singing ‘bring on the Hibees’, is that something that you like or do you try to temper that? 

No, I like it. Not every player gets to go through their career and play in a proper derby – and this is a proper derby. I like it. Against St Mirren, the Gorgie Ultras carried the crowd towards the end and really kept it going. It was a good atmosphere, which is brilliant. That all adds into the mix of the derby and Hibs will be the same, but we are in a good run of form. We are confident and we have a good, healthy squad. We are in a good place. 

Do you buy into the notion that the derby is just another game? 

There’s more to it, 100 per cent. In the first 10 minutes of every derby it’s frantic, it’s hectic and there aren’t many calm heads. But it’s after that moment, you just need to see it as the game it is. That’s the most important thing. Going into it, it’s a derby – and it’s a proper derby. I’m sure the players and everyone around the club will be hearing about it when they bump into supporters but it’s important that we go out and do ourselves proud. 

READ MORE: Aidan Denholm's Hearts derby dream as he recalls his favourite Easter Road memory

There were good parts to the last derby, is it now about producing that over the 90 minutes? 

Take out those 82 seconds and that’s what we want. We can take confidence from that first game. I think we are a better unit out of possession in how we’ve performed since then, so there are loads of positives from that first derby. We need to go again the same. The two teams have got different styles and ways they want to play. There will be moments when we need to suffer without the ball, and there will be moments when we have got it and need to hurt them. 

Does recording back-to-back wins help get the players up for it? 

It’s different and the tactics will be different because Hibs play a different style to St Mirren. Every player is up for it and there will be some disappointment that not everyone is starting. They need to make sure they are ready when the opportunity comes to get out on the pitch. From now until Wednesday we will work hard to make sure we are fully prepared. 

Does Hibs’ match being postponed make a difference? 

I’m not sure. The flip-side of it is that they are going into a derby off the back of a defeat. There are pros and cons. I think we have got a healthy squad of guys who are ready. I am probably on the side that I do make changes for each game, so there is going to be a freshness there, which will help us. But being a derby, everyone is up for it. 

Your first match as interim manager was at Easter Road, how have the team and you developed since then? 

There’s been a massive change. I was three days in and I was probably like a zombie because I worked nearly every hour of the day – because I knew how big an opportunity it was. The squad has moved on a bit and the players are playing a different style, the fundamentals are different. But I think over the last six-to-eight weeks that we have shown that we understand what we want to do. The St Mirren game was our eighth or ninth clean sheet, which is very good from where we were at that moment. We are a better threat in both boxes at set plays. So there are loads of positives from that first derby. 

READ MORE: 22, not out: Remembering Hearts' record-breaking Edinburgh derby run

What was your favourite derby moment as a player? 

Scoring the winner at Tynecastle, I think it was 2-1. That’s personally my favourite because I was involved in a goal and a win. They are brilliant games and derbies are great. We will go in excited for it. 

Do you have a favourite game at Easter Road as a player? 

It was one of those ones where I enjoyed the abuse and tried to use it to my advantage. I would imagine that will be the same on Wednesday night. We have got characters in our changing room, guys who are brave on the ball and guys who know how to play the game. So we are going in with loads of confidence.  

Is it good that the game is being shown on television as that hasn’t always been the case in recent times? 

Yeah it’s better, 100 per cent. For any derby not to be shown is criminal. And you’re getting the added bonus of all access!