Gary Locke, the Hearts manager, has acknowledged that supporters of his club would make the most of it were the Tynecastle side in a position to relegate Hibernian.

He is, then, anticipating a good deal of gloating from their city rivals at Tynecastle on Sunday should Hibernian learn that a win would knock the home side out of the top flight.

The prospect of being there as Hearts are subjected to such ignominy has been enough for Hibs fans to sell out their allocation for the away end at Tynecastle for a match which has been dubbed 'Black Sabbath' around the streets of Gorgie.

However, Locke is determined that his young Hearts players do not give their rivals the satisfaction of suffering relegation at their hands.

"It's a big game, as all derbies are. We are looking forward to it," said the Hearts manager. "I don't look at the game and say, 'Hibs can put us down' and the rest of it.

"It's another derby and I know if we win it will keep our supporters happy. That's the most important thing. After the way the fans have backed us all season, it would be great to get a win for them.

"It's not going to be Hibs that relegate Hearts. We've not won enough games to claw back [the 15-point penalty for going into administration]."