Derek McInnes wants Hearts pumping from the start in Edinburgh derby

Derek McInnes has called on Hearts to make a strong start in Sunday’s Edinburgh derby after the William Hill Premiership leaders were rocked by Hibernian in the early stages of their last visit to Easter Road.

The Jambos fell behind after just three minutes in December and were three down within 48 minutes on their way to a 3-2 defeat at the home of their bitter Edinburgh rivals.

McInnes knows his team must be much more competitive from the outset if they are to bolster their title bid.

“The goals we lost were awful,” recalled manager McInnes. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a derby game or whatever, but there were parts of that first half where we were murder, I’ve got to be honest.

“The important thing for me is the start of the game. You don’t need to be brilliant for 90 minutes, but you do need to be competitive in the Scottish Premiership, particularly in a derby game.

“I just thought we gave Hibs too much encouragement, too much of a lift, and made it far too easy to play against us in that first half. I thought we were better in the second half and we nearly got something from the game.”

McInnes is braced for a Hibs side intent on derailing Hearts’ title bid, but he believes his team – who have not won an away match since January – are perfectly capable of emerging victorious if they are at their confident best.

“I think, for obvious reasons, the added ingredient of being a derby makes things that bit more challenging,” said McInnes. “But it’s challenging for Hibs as well.

“Hibs are fighting for their own motivation to finish in those European spots but it’s clear that they’ll want to make sure that in front of their own supporters they can put a bit of damage on to us. And that’s fine, that’s the way it is.

“But equally, we’ve got to go there and try and be the confident Hearts team I know we’re capable of being and winning a game that we know we can win.

These are great games for us to be involved in, and we all know the significance of this one.”

Hibs boss David Gray is a veteran of the Edinburgh derby, both as a player and a manager.

“Obviously you want to play at home as much as you can,” he said when asked if playing at Easter Road gave his side the edge.

“Mind you, I really enjoy going to Tynecastle because of the hostile environment there as well. Some players really enjoy that, they like being outnumbered.

“The fact both sets of supporters get the full away end behind the goal (in the Edinburgh derby) really adds to the atmosphere.

“As a player, there’s no better game to play in. I’ve felt that in training this week.

“It’s been two weeks since our last game. We’ve had a bounce game in between to make sure players are ready to go. But at this stage of the season, it’s not about fitness. Everyone’s ready. There’s no better game to look forward to.”