Hearts duo picked out ahead of Hibs with one ‘willing to tackle his granny’ and other ‘like new signing’

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Hearts and Hibs face the most pivotal derby of the season on Sunday as they face off in the Edinburgh derby at Easter Road.

In October, James Wilson’s last-gasp finish earned Hearts a vital draw in Leith, while Hibs emerged victorious on Boxing Day as they beat the Jambos 2-1 at Tynecastle.

Hearts will be desperate to even up the scales this weekend and search for their first win against Hibs since December 2023.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
4	HibernianHibernian	28	10	10	8	42	39	3	40
5	Dundee UtdDundee Utd	28	11	7	10	34	34	0	40
6	Heart Of MidlothianHeart Of Midlothian	28	10	6	12	40	38	2	36
7	St MirrenSt Mirren	28	10	4	14	33	42	-9	34

Neil Critchley’s men are in inspired form having lost just one game in their last 11 matches. And after beating St Mirren on Wednesday, the Gorgie side are now up to 6th in the Premiership.

They can’t leapfrog Hibs if they win at Easter Road but it absolutely brings them right into contention with Aberdeen, Dundee United and David Gray’s charges in the race for 3rd spot.

Ryan Stevenson loves ‘unbelievable’ Hearts defender Jamie McCart

Former Hearts star Ryan Stevenson has been previewing the derby clash for the Daily Record and dubbed it the ‘biggest game in Britain’ this weekend.

And he’s praised boss Critchley for leading an incredible turnaround that has saw Hearts rise from 11th in the table at Christmas to the top six heading into March.

Stevenson took in the 3-1 victory over the Buddies and he thinks January signing Jamie McCart embodies the resurgence Hearts have made.

“They were so lacklustre in that Boxing Day showdown at Tynecastle. It wasn’t near good enough. It’s amazing to think they were still second bottom on just 16 points after that day.

“The way Neil Critchley’s side have responded with just one defeat in 11 games has been superb.

“I was at the win over St Mirren on Wednesday and if I was to pick out one player who has typified the resurgence it would be McCart. He was unbelievable.

“An old school centre half who heads everything thrown in front of him. That’s exactly what will be needed against Hibs.

“The confidence that breeds through the team, just knowing you’ve got a guy there who’s willing to tackle his granny. He’s good on the ball as well but he wants to defend first and foremost.

“I’ve played with big centre halves behind me like Marius Zaliukas and Andy Webster – you just knew when the chips were down and if a ball there to the head, those two were going right through it.”

Calem Nieuwenhof ‘like a new signing’ for Hearts

Stevenson also reserved column inches for midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof, who has returned from a long-term injury with flying colours.

The Aussie scored a peach against St Mirren in midweek and Stevo is excited by the 24-year-old’s potential in this Hearts team.

He continued: “Calem Nieuwenhof could have played himself into the starting XI too. He has been like a new signing coming back in from 10 months on the treatment table.

“His goal was sensational the other night, but on top of that I thought he looked tidy on the ball, a bit slow moving it at times but that will come with games.

“It’s such a help to the squad when you see he’s capable of scoring goals like he has since he’s come back in.

“If you’ve got midfielders that can chip in with five to 10 goals a season, you’re going to have a really good team.”