Hearts' five-year derby run which defies all logic

IAN PAUL

5 Jan 1994

IF HEARTS could unearth the secret of the mystical power their maroon shirts exert over Hibernian and use it on a weekly basis, they would make a lot of Gorgie folk very happy indeed, not to mention a certain vested interest who spends much of his time in sunnier climes.

Any power which can deactivate the city rivals for half a decade has to be pretty special, and that is the state of the parties who, weather permitting, will meet at Tynecastle tonight.

When they take the field, Hearts will have gone five years and a day undefeated by the men from across the city.

It is a record which, when mentioned in the company of Alex Miller, evokes involuntary shaking of his head and stuttering incoherence.

In truth, the Hibs manager has no real insight into why the maroon side hold the indian sign over them.

It has been going on so long now as to be inexplicable in normal footballing terms.

Hibs have been the better team on plenty of occasions during this time, but have never managed the final spurt over the finishing line.

Until recently, they would have looked firm favourites to end this famine tonight and, even after Hearts' morale-boosting 2-2 draw with Rangers at Ibrox, Hibs would be expected to do well in any circumstances bar the bizarre jinx in which this derby seems to be entrenched.

Miller's team were in exhilarating form in their last outing when they beat Partick Thistle 5-1 and, apart fom one or two stumbles, have had a good season so far.

They lie fifth in the premier division and would leapfrog Celtic into fourth place if they were to overcome the hoodoo at Tynecastle.

That would put them within three points of the leaders, Rangers, and set them up for the new year with lofty ambitions still intact.

Their striker, Keith Wright, pinpoints the league position as the priority for winning tonight, rather than the ending of the fallow derby years.

"Of course it would be nice to win the derby but more important for us is to keep in touch at the top of the league."

Hibs almost certainly will be without a key man in defender Gordon Hunter who is recovering from a hamstring injury suffered against Thistle.

The young man who came on to replace him then, Steven Tweed, has proved his worth already this season and it might be that the continuing absence of suspended Michael O'Neill will be more of a handicap.

Hearts' lucky derby mascot, their longest serving player, Gary Mackay, is no certainty to take the field.

The man who has lost only three derbies in 13 years as a Hearts player is fit again after injury but may find it hard to muscle into the side.

The re-introduction of John Millar to the team at Ibrox paid off spectacularly when he scored one of the two goals and generally played well.

He and Neil Berry were reported to be particularly effective and they may hold their places.

Hearts have removed the covers from the pitch, but there were still hard patches yesterday.

If there is a need for inspection it will be held at lunchtime.

If Hearts, just outside the bottom three, do finally lose their record it will please the two sides who will be battling for their own survival in the top league, Raith Rovers and St Johnstone who meet at Stark's Park if the pitch passes a mid-day inspection.

These two are locked together on 18 points, sharing second bottom place and, clearly, a win for either would be an immense boost.

A defeat for Hearts, who stand only two points beyond them, would be another lift.

For Rovers, it is the first of three home matches in their next four fixtures, a run that could have much significance in their future.

Taken from the Herald