Hearts V Hibernian at Tynecastle Stadium : Match Preview

11 May 2013 14:31
Hearts V Hibernian - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Locke: Final will have no impact

Hearts manager Gary Locke does not expect Hibernian to have Hampden on their mind in the last Edinburgh derby of the season at Tynecastle.

The Easter Road side dumped the Jambos out of the tournament on the way to the final, where they meet Celtic at the national stadium on May 26.

Locke, whose side have drawn their previous three Clydesdale Bank Premier League games with their city rivals this season, believes Pat Fenlon's side will be focused on battling for Edinburgh bragging rights.

"I wouldn't think the cup final will be in their minds," said the former Gorgie skipper.

"It's going to be a severe test for us.

"The derbies have been really tight affairs, the league games have been draws.

"We had a disappointing result in the Scottish Cup when David Wotherspoon's shot took a wicked deflection and went in.

"So derbies are always very hard games and tight games. I just hope we can come out on top this weekend."

Andy Webster returns from suspension for the clash.

The Jambos defender was sent off in the defeat against Dundee at Dens Park the previous week but is back in contention.

Fellow centre-back Danny Wilson is struggling with a thigh injury but may still feature, while striker Michael Ngoo is battling to be fit from a shoulder problem.

Meanwhile, Hibernian's Ross Caldwell has set his sights on bagging a derby goal against Hearts after opening his account for the club last month.

The 19-year-old was on target in the 3-3 draw against St Mirren at the end of April, finding the back of the net a minute after coming off the bench.

He is hoping to force his way into boss Pat Fenlon's plans ahead of the clash at Tynecastle and says a goal against their Edinburgh rivals would be the ideal way to cap off his first full season with the senior team.

Caldwell said: "It would mean so much to me to score in this game and I'd love it to be in a game where we win the derby as well because you wouldn't then want to be defeated.

"If it's a goal that helps Hibs win the derby, it just makes it even better.

"I don't know what's going to happen this weekend. I can only give it my all in training and hope that the manager picks me.

"You would hope that a goal would boost your chances.

"You want to have an impact on the game when you get on and a goal is the best thing I could have done.

"It was a great feeling to get that goal and I really enjoyed it."

Hibernian manager Fenlon has a couple of injury doubts ahead of the game.

Ryan McGivern was forced out of the abandoned game against Kilmarnock with a knee injury, while Tim Clancy is a doubt with a knock.

Both will be assessed on Saturday and given the chance to prove their fitness.






Source: PA