Scottish Premiership: Hibernian v Heart of Midlothian
Venue: Easter Road, Edinburgh Date: Tuesday, 1st February Time: 19:45 GMT
Coverage: Sky Sports
There is no better feeling than the sheer jubilation of Edinburgh derby victory. Defeat isn't a blow they can shake off in a few days.
Easter Road will be awash with emotion on Tuesday when the famous rivalry is renewed. It's a massive occasion. When people say it's just another game, they're talking rubbish. It means everything to the supporters, and they are quick to let the players know.
Craig Levin
Nerves, record runs & crazy comebacks
As Expressed by Craig Levein, He experienced countless tussles with Hibs as a Hearts defender and captain, then manager - twice - and director of football, it's a fixture that still excites him as much now as when he was a youngster.
For his first few as a player, he was all raw enthusiasm and nerves. he wasted half his energy before he even made it out of the dressing room.
Your mind races with thoughts of 'What if I score the winner? and the grim opposite: 'What if I score an own goal or make a horrendous mistake?' All that stuff is spinning around your head and it drains you.
He was fortunate to play in an era where Hearts had the upper hand. During our record 22-game unbeaten run, it got to the point where they just knew they would win.
Often it was painfully scrappy - I still have the scars to prove it - and wee John Robertson, having been anonymous, would pop up with the winner.
By the end of his playing days, He just savoured every second of being involved. They were still winning more than our fair share, although the nerves never leave them.
The derby is far more enjoyable to the players than managers, but even more enjoyable for us to watch like all derbies expect the unexpected with plenty of action.
As a boss, every player feels like a bit of them. If anything goes wrong or someone makes a mistake, they carry it with them. The emotions are more consequential.
That makes the wins mean more, and a few blissful memories stand out. In 2002, Mark de Vries scoring four on his debut at Tynecastle as we thrashed Hibs 5-1. The new year derby six months later, They were 4-2 down in injury time at home to Hibs, Graeme Weir scored twice and they nicked a point.
A couple of years ago, they came from behind with young Aaron Hickey scoring the late winner. As much as I love Tynecastle, it's extra special seeing them winning at Easter Road with the whole Hearts end going wild.
Even Craig thought he was finished
It's a combustible fixture requiring cool heads. Nobody fits that bill better than Craig Gordon, the calmest man you could ever meet. At age 39, Craig is thriving for club and country.
It's all the more remarkable considering he missed nearly three years through knee injuries during his time at Sunderland. Even Craig thought he was finished in the game.
He is now playing as well as he was during his first spell at Hearts when he went to England for £9m.
Craig was in the team as an 18-year-old after we sold Antti to Southampton. With every young player introduced to first-team football, They always had to take them out just to give them a break. Then you put them back in and find out if they can cope with men's football.
Craig is the only one who went in and just stayed there. Even as a young lad he was so calm.
It's also intimidating for opposition strikers knowing they can't be slack in front of goal. If they don't hit the ball hard enough or accurately enough, Craig will save it.
Can Hibs get the better of him on Tonight or will Craig captain Hearts to victory? We Will Soon find out. Feel Free To Check Out The Rest Of Our Site And Subscribe For Latest Daily Content
Here are some interesting stats for this fixture:
HEAD TO HEAD STREAKS
Both teams
Both teams scoring 5/7 More than 10.5 corners 6/7 Heart of Midlothian No losses 3
TEAM STREAKS
Hibernian
First to score 6/8
Less than 4.5 cards 5/6
Less than 10.5 corners 4/5
Heart of Midlothian
First to score 5/6
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