Jamie McCart: Hearts relishing challenge in hope to halt Hibernian run

Jamie McCart is adamant on-form Hearts will relish the challenge of heading across the capital city on Sunday to try to halt Hibernian’s 14-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

The last time the two Edinburgh sides met at Easter Road at the end of October, they occupied the two bottom places in the William Hill Premiership.

But both are now in the top six and vying with Aberdeen and Dundee United for third place. McCart sees no reason sixth-placed Hearts, who have lost just one of their last 11 matches in all competitions, cannot take the wind out of the fourth-placed Hibees’ sails.

“We know it’s an extremely difficult game, they’re obviously in very good form as well, but it would be silly of us not to think we could go there and come away with three points,” said centre-back McCart.

McCart joined Hearts in early January, just over a week after they suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Hibs on Boxing Day. He expects memories of that setback to fuel the Jambos dressing room ahead of Sunday’s showdown.

“Obviously there was a real disappointment at how the last derby went – with the result and the performance – so I think that’s something we really want to put right this week,” he said.

Hearts moved into the top six for the first time this season by defeating St Mirren 3-1 on Wednesday and they are now within five points of third-placed Aberdeen.

“The gaffer had mentioned before about us not being in the top six all season, so for us to finally get in there, we want to stay in and try and push further up,” said McCart.

“I think before I came here, the team were probably playing well and the results were maybe just not going their way.

“I think maybe you’ve seen that kind of switch where we’ve maybe got that wee touch of fortune, to go along with the performances. But football can change very quickly, so we’ve got to guard against complacency as well.”

McCart felt St Mirren midfielder Killian Phillips was fortunate to have his red card downgraded to a yellow after he caught him in the face with a robust aerial challenge in the 70th minute of Wednesday’s match.

“It felt like a red card,” said the Hearts defender. “You talk about endangerment and safety of players, and when you go up for a header like that, you don’t expect to get hit like that, especially with the speed and the manner of it.”