Hibernian must learn from past mistakes to succeed in Thursday's derby against Hearts, according to columnist Tam McManus. The former Hibs player has issued a clear warning to David Gray's squad ahead of the first capital showdown of the season, as reported by the Daily Record.
McManus, who writes for the outlet, recalls a painful 2-1 loss at Tynecastle that taught him a sore lesson. He felt the team was too passive in the first half of that match before showing improvement after the break. His advice for the current squad is direct. "Don’t take too many touches!" McManus said, emphasising the need for quick, decisive play from the opening whistle.
What must Hibernian do differently?
The key, according to McManus, is starting games with the intensity they showed in the second half of that derby and in their recent performance against Dundee. He described the display at Dens Park as wonderful. Hibernian are a direct and physical side, but they need to see games out properly when they get ahead. This current squad sits fifth in the Premiership with six points from three games, having scored five goals and conceded four. Their recent form reads two wins followed by a loss.
Who are the key players for Hibs?
Martin Boyle remains a vital figure for Hibernian. McManus labels him a match winner and a player who consistently scores in derby matches. Another standout from the weekend was Josh Devaney, who had a magnificent game at Dens. The team's overall spirit seems strong, a sentiment echoed after their European effort. They came close to a historic win over Gent last Thursday, which would have secured a first-ever European group stage spot. That Gent side then beat Club Brugge over the weekend, underlining the quality of the opposition Hibs faced.
What is the current league context?
Hibernian enter this derby three points behind leaders Celtic in the title race. Their next league fixture after Thursday is another significant one, an away match against Heart of Midlothian scheduled for the 27th of December. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches on the club's fixtures and standings pages. The immediate focus, however, is entirely on the Tynecastle trip.
What is the outlook for the derby?
McManus believes the lessons are there to be applied. He stresses that Hibs cannot afford a slow start against a Hearts side currently sitting third in the table. The team must harness the positive energy from their good performances and maintain it for the full ninety minutes. Building on their solid start to the season requires turning these intense derby moments into points. The squad details and further statistics are always available for supporters on the official squad and stats pages. Hibernian's next match is away to Heart of Midlothian on the 27th of December.
