Source: Team_Talk
Hanlon relishing 'massive' games
One win in seven in all competitions has left Hibs - who had been clear favourites both for third place in the SPL and a Hampden semi-final - in real danger of ending the campaign empty handed.[LNB]The next four days will determine their Scottish Cup fate and could also have a big say in where they finish in the SPL.[LNB]For defender Hanlon, 20, the games could prove two of the biggest of his young career.[LNB]"They're massive," said Hanlon, who was keen to stress the consequences of victory rather than defeat.[LNB]"If we can go to Tynecastle and get three points, that'll push us on in the league.[LNB]"And if we can take the confidence from that into the game at Dingwall and win there then obviously confidence will be high and we'll be looking to push on towards the end of the season."[LNB]Hanlon is hoping to prove a lucky mascot for Hibs, having won at Tynecastle on his only previous senior appearance there to date.[LNB]"I've only played once, when Mixu Paatelainen was the manager," he said of last season's victory, which was sealed by a Derek Riordan penalty.[LNB]"Obviously, we'll be looking to do the same on Saturday.[LNB]"It's a difficult place to go.[LNB]"The crowd will be right on top of us, the crowd will be electric."[LNB]Both teams will be managed by lifelong fans and former club captains tomorrow following Jim Jefferies' return to Hearts two months ago.[LNB]"Everyone knows in Scottish football how good a manager he is," said Hanlon.[LNB]The derby will be John Hughes' third since he was appointed Hibs boss last summer and Hanlon expects his own manager to take the lead in firing up his players tomorrow.[LNB]He said: "Everyone knows what he's like; he's a big Hibs man, and he's passionate for the game.[LNB]"He'll make sure that everyone's aware what it's going to be like.[LNB]"He tell us what it means for him and what it'll mean if we get three points, and all the players will be looking to do that."[LNB]Like Hughes, Hanlon is also Hibs born and bred and cannot wait for his latest taste of a derby atmosphere.[LNB]"The passions run high throughout the game," he said.[LNB]"Both sets of fans are up for it and, obviously, if you manage to get a win in the Edinburgh derby, it's a good confidence boost.[LNB]"Hibs fans are always brilliant when they go to Tynecastle.[LNB]"They'll be the same on Saturday and hopefully cheering us on to a win."[LNB]That was not the case last weekend, when the Easter Road faithful made their dissatisfaction abundantly clear after watching their side twice throw away the lead to draw their cup tie with Irn-Bru First Division Ross County.[LNB]Hanlon said of the jeers: "When you're playing the game, you're not really concentrating on that; you're concentrating on what you're doing in the game.[LNB]"Obviously, at full-time, when the fans are booing, it's disappointing.[LNB]"We know we should've won the game."[LNB]Hanlon can expect plenty of jeers from the home fans tomorrow, this time for the right reasons.[LNB]He is also ready for everything Hearts can throw at him - even if it gets physical at Tynecastle.[LNB]"I'm not too sure if that's their tactics," he said.[LNB]"Football's obviously a physical game; you've got to deal with that side of the game.[LNB]"If you win that battle first, the football will take care of itself."[LNB][LNB]
