23-10-2014, 23:43
BBC Sport quotes from Neil Alexander, the keeper that keeps the Hearts team average age high.
"We are that scalp that everyone wants to take because we are playing well.
"So there is pressure on us, but, with Hibs being the home team in a derby, it's probably even.
"We've brought that on ourselves with how well we've done. There's been pressure in every game this season and we've come through with flying colours.
"We have nothing to fear and Sunday can't come quick enough.
"The manager has made some really good signings, adding to the youth we had last season. We have a fantastic blend of experience and youth.
"I'm not surprised by our start. We are matching our expectations."
Bought from Crystal Palace and leading scorer with 7 goals, Osman Sow is another of the old men in the Hearts team at 24. At 6'4" and all arms and legs, not only is he a bit of a handful, he is surprisingly agile and a definite threat to Hibs. Billy King has come through the youth ranks at Tynecastle and has already played 50 games for the first team at the age of 20. In defence, the pairing of Alim Ozturk and Danny Wilson have been miserly giving away only 5 goals so far. Signed on a 3 year contract this summer, 21 year old Ozturk was born in the Netherlands of Turkish parents. Wilson, 22, had an "interesting" start to life with Hearts, arriving on loan from Liverpool in January 2013 and then signing permanently when his Liverpool contract expired in the summer.
But enough of the niceties. We all know Hearts are playing with confidence, sometimes making poor starts in games but still coming through in style. They believe in themselves which is sometimes half the battle, so any team that wants to better them must be prepared to hassle and harry, put them off their stride and strike first, then keep the pressure on. That team, my friends is Hibs!!!
"We are that scalp that everyone wants to take because we are playing well.
"So there is pressure on us, but, with Hibs being the home team in a derby, it's probably even.
"We've brought that on ourselves with how well we've done. There's been pressure in every game this season and we've come through with flying colours.
"We have nothing to fear and Sunday can't come quick enough.
"The manager has made some really good signings, adding to the youth we had last season. We have a fantastic blend of experience and youth.
"I'm not surprised by our start. We are matching our expectations."
Bought from Crystal Palace and leading scorer with 7 goals, Osman Sow is another of the old men in the Hearts team at 24. At 6'4" and all arms and legs, not only is he a bit of a handful, he is surprisingly agile and a definite threat to Hibs. Billy King has come through the youth ranks at Tynecastle and has already played 50 games for the first team at the age of 20. In defence, the pairing of Alim Ozturk and Danny Wilson have been miserly giving away only 5 goals so far. Signed on a 3 year contract this summer, 21 year old Ozturk was born in the Netherlands of Turkish parents. Wilson, 22, had an "interesting" start to life with Hearts, arriving on loan from Liverpool in January 2013 and then signing permanently when his Liverpool contract expired in the summer.
But enough of the niceties. We all know Hearts are playing with confidence, sometimes making poor starts in games but still coming through in style. They believe in themselves which is sometimes half the battle, so any team that wants to better them must be prepared to hassle and harry, put them off their stride and strike first, then keep the pressure on. That team, my friends is Hibs!!!
Cabbage is still good for you