WHO WINS ON THURSDAY?
RYAN: Hearts. Over the years we’ve had a hold over Hibs and even though current form isn’t near to where it should be this is a fixture Hearts love. When times have been bad Hearts have always managed to scrape something out of it. It’s close but if Hearts turn up they will win. Prediction: Hearts 3 Hibs 1
TAM: Hibs. It’s a long time since I went into a derby so confident. They have the momentum. If you’d asked me this a month ago before the 3-3 draw with Aberdeen then I’d have said something different. But that last minute goal from big Rocky has given Hibs a massive jag. They have won three of the last four and have lots of goals in them. Prediction: Hearts 1 Hibs 2
WHICH MANAGER IS UNDER MORE PRESSURE GOING INTO GAME?
RYAN : Hard to tell. I actually feel sorry for Neil Critchley because I like the way he is trying to play and the way he comes across. But he needs a couple of windows because this is not his team. Look, lose this and either manager will feel the heat. That’s what happens. It’s the only game that really matters for both sets of fans especially over the festive period. The players have to step up.
TAM: It’s Critchley. Hibs fans have always been behind David Gray and blame the board more than the manager for the early season woes. I don’t think Hearts fans wanted Critchley in the first place. Going out of Europe was a disaster and a derby defeat a week later would really put him under the pump.
DOES IT MATTER THAT IT’S AT TYNECASTLE?
RYAN: Massively. There will be 20,000 in the stadium and 17,000 of them wanting Hearts to win. We all know it’s a brilliant place to play – if you’re winning. Hearts need to use that to put their foot on Hibs, the pressure is on them to do that. But it should energise them to fight, scrap and run til they drop and get the win. If they don’t… it’ll be putrid.
TAM: Being at home should give Hearts a little advantage – but only if they’re winning. Tynecastle is poisonous if Hearts are not doing well, just like Easter Road. If Hibs score first then the fans will turn against their team. That’s got to be the plan. Turn the intimidation on Hearts.
ON PAPER RIGHT NOW WHICH SIDE IS BETTER?
RYAN: Right now it’s much of a muchness – both are massively underachieving. But taking away form then I would say Hearts back four and midfield is better. Then if Lawrence Shankland is form there’s few better up front. Hibs have Dwight Gayle and no matter what way you look at it he has played and scored in the Premier League.
TAM: There’s not many I’d swap out the Hibs squad for Hearts players right now. I fancied both to do well this season so I’ve been as shocked as anyone to see them struggle. Hibs are definitely better in the final third. I look at Martin Boyle, Nicky Cadden and Elie Youan whereas Hearts are so reliant on Lawrence Shankland.
WHO ARE THE MATCHWINNERS?
RYAN: Three players can win us the game. Lawrence Shankland is the obvious one, Blair Spittal is scoring from midfield and looking good and the one who is passing with flying colours is James Penrice. It’s ridiculous because he is our left back but he is our best player going forward. Alan Forrest and Kenny Vargas need to get their finger out. If these players turn it on then Hearts have a good chance of winning.
TAM: Elie Youan. I have been critical of him earlier this season. But ever since the Dundee defeat when Marvin Bartley had a right go at him, he has been excellent. He got man of the match against Aberdeen at Easter Road and has scored in the last two games. He hit a double at Tynecastle last season and seems to thrive on big occasions. Boyle and Cadden too are really important.
WHO IS BIGGEST THREAT IN OPPOSITION?
RYAN: If Dwight Gayle is fit then there’s no doubt he has quality. Martin Boyle is the obvious one and Nicky Cadden has hit a good run of form. Hearts need to stop their main threats early. Back in my day we’d have myself, Ian Black, Danny Grainger, Marius Zaliukas and Jamie Hamill willing to take yellow cards to stop Hibs players causing us trouble.
TAM: Hibs need to keep a close eye on Blair Spittal. I’ve always liked him. He’s scored in the last two games and has an eye for goal inside and outside the box and is a set piece specialist. Away from Spittal and Shankland then there’s not many players who should worry Hibs.
WHAT WILL A WIN DO FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON?
RYAN: If Hearts send them down the road with nothing to show for it then it will be a massive shot to the arm. Believe me – nothing beats it. Sunday’s win will mean nothing if they don’t back it up with a derby win. This has to be the afternoon that Hearts kick on. The players have to be ready to go to war.
TAM: If Hibs win this and make it four wins from five it will be massive. A few weeks ago it was a relegation battle. By 3pm on Thursday it could be a case of looking to get in the top six and maybe Europe. There’s no doubt that’s where Hibs need to be. A win over Hearts would be the biggest and best lift for the new year.
BEST DERBY MEMORY
RYAN: I scored a good few goals against Hibs but the quarter final of the League Cup at Easter Road in October 2013 after we had been battered was the pick. To beat Hibs on their patch with a bunch of young boys was unbelievable, the best night of my career. Also the game they came to relegate us at end of that season – and we battered them, not on our turf was that happening!
TAM: I’d say my derby debut in May 2000 at Tynecastle. Even though we got beat 2-1. We had a lot of young boys out and to have my first start in a derby at Tynecastle was huge. I set up the goal and got man of the match from Sky. I just remember celebrating it in the net in front of the Hibs fans – it was electric.