Derby debut on the cards for two
Having never experienced a derby at Tynecastle,
Rachel Sproule is looking forward to it....
WELL DERBY DAY IS
UPON US ONCE MORE. They come round so quick don’t they? It only
feels like yesterday that Garry O’Connor stuck that goal in the
back of Tepi’s net which gave us that last gasp win over the Jambos.
Not that we lord it over them or anything! This time the venue is
Tynecastle. The time will be
3pm.
The day, Sunday 23rd November. It’s round two of the
Edinburgh Derby with the Hibees already 1-0 up in the overall stakes.
The memory of the
first Derby of the season will live on for a wee while yet I think. But
we really would like to make it two in a row over them this season after
the admittedly disastrous results last season. As if we need
reminding. No doubt those of the maroon persuasion will delight in
taunting us about their European exploits. Just remember what happened
with Stuttgart boys! And what is it they say, 1-0 is never enough even
if they do have the precious away goal. In all seriousness I will take
the opportunity to wish the Jam Tarts all the best for the 2nd
Leg. Anyway pleasantries over with and lets get back to the more
pressing matter of the forthcoming Derby game.
There will be the
odd few Scottish internationalists in both sides this weekend at
different levels some who took part this week and maybe wished they
hadn’t. The club captain’s were both on international duty one at his
home ground the other in the Amsterdam Arena. But Stephen Pressley will
be the one wanting to take all three points at his home ground this
weekend instead of allowing Hibernian skipper Ian Murray to take the
points in the direction of Leith.
O'Connor scores that goal (sns)
Are the Jambos more
of a threat this time? Should we be worried? Nah I don’t think so. And
they shouldn’t be worried about us either. The form book goes out of
the window when the Edinburgh Derby is concerned and even past Derby
performances should not be taken into consideration. We may feel we
have the advantage but I don’t believe that we do. It’s on an even keel
when the players take to the field just before 3pm on Sunday. And in a
way isn’t that a wee bit more exciting? It’s not like when the team
takes the field against the Old Firm knowing in a dismal way the it’s
either going to be a thumping or you might give them a run for their
money.
There is no doubt
that this game is the one both sets of
Edinburgh
fans look forward to the most. This will be my first visit to
Tynecastle this weekend and hopefully things will go great for the
boys. It will feel strange to me to be in the minority at an Edinburgh
Derby but from what I hear the Hibees make enough noise as it is!
Hopefully we will be given something to raise the rafters about, maybe
another last minute winner for the Hibees? Or is that a little too much
to ask?!
In other news Bobby
Williamson has been left worrying about two players for Sunday’s game.
Roland Edge and Stephen Glass have both failed to shake off their knocks
and are a worry for the Derby. Gary Smith will probably stick it out as
an emergency cover for the left side with Yannick Zambernardi also still
sidelined.
Meanwhile Kevin Thomson might be handed his Derby debut after impressing
in midfield in recent weeks.
The Behind the
Goals bar will be open from 12.30 on Sunday, allowing fans heading to
Tynecastle to enjoy the facilities beforehand while those not heading
for Gorgie can remain in the bar and watch the game in the company of
other Hibees. Ahead of the main event, the famous 6-2 win over Hearts
will also be shown on the big screen.
Entry is Free, and offers available include 4 pint pitchers from £6.00,
3 bottles of Carlsberg for the price of 2, Carlsberg Lager for only
£1.50 a pint and "a whiskey nip and a half" only £1.50. Food is also
available for purchase both before during and after the game.
