Preview

Having gone on a six game undefeated start to his managerial career before suffering two defeats, John Collins was pleased to see his side get back on track. He commented: “It was good to get back to winning ways. Winning breeds confidence and we are delighted to be going into the derby on the back of a 5-1 victory.” The fact that his teams goals came from five different scorers was another source to delight for the boss, he said: “I think that is one of the most pleasing aspects from a team and a club point of view, getting goals from all over the team with different players getting on the score sheet. The last thing a team wants is to depend on one scorer so it was good for the player’s confidence to have five different scorers, and we have five players feeling good about themselves after hitting the target and looking forward to the next game.”

image Whilst some pundits feel Hibs don’t match the sizzling heights they reach at home when they go on their travels, John is not concerned for the moment. He said: “Since I came in we have had three away games in the premier league. We did so well away to Motherwell, we were poor and lost at Ibrox and we played well at Falkirk although we did not get the result. In my time it has not been too bad, Rangers yes but apart from that we have been good. I have said to the players that we will play every game as if it is a home game. We will go onto the park to try and impose our game plan, our system onto the opposition. We won’t sit back and wait on things to happen, we will try and make things happen. So it will be the same when we go to Tynecastle, we will go to try and express ourselves and play our kind of football. Obviously they will try and stop us and impose their own game plan on us.”

With some players out through injury and suspension on Saturday, the fringe players were given a chance to come in and impress and they did exactly that, giving Collins a selection headache ahead of the big game. He commented: “It is wonderful and from a managers point of view it is what we want. It is food for thought and you want players shall we say put under pressure. It is a terrific problem and one I love to have. I will always enjoy those difficult decisions, somebody is going to be disappointed of course and they will have every right to be knocking on my door and asking questions but that is what I am paid to do, to make difficult decisions. Nobody is guaranteed a place in the team - players will be picked on their merits.”

One player who stood out in recent games has been Michael Stewart and he will be relishing the chance to get one over on his former employers and looks set to play a pivotal role in Hibs bid to win the three points. Collins commented: “He took control of the game against St. Mirren from start to finish, dominating the midfield. He was picking the ball up from his back four and was spraying the ball around the park, he had shots on target, tackling, everything. He is a terrific all-round football player. I am hopeful he will stay at the football club, he is a local lad, he is enjoying his football and I think we are playing the right kind of football for him. It suits his game and we want to keep him.”

The key to winning the game could perhaps be down to the tactical battle played out between the opposing management teams and Hibs flexibility could hold the key. Collins said: “I think it is important that they have to be flexible; we will have to have players who can change systems. We have tried a few different systems and we will continue to try but we are pleased that the system we put in place against St. Mirren worked so well. I have to be honest with you, I focus the majority of preparation on our team, obviously we talk about set-pieces and corners but as I said before we will try and impose our system on them. The hard work is done on the training pitch and that is why we are in every day over the festive period, they have got to be in as there is too much at stake.”