LEWIS Stevenson believes there are now two sides to Hibernian, and they intend to show it in their Scottish Cup fifth-round replay against Hearts on Wednesday.

On a threadbare Tynecastle pitch that was not conducive to free-flowing football, the Championship leaders rolled up their sleeves and made sure they did not come off second best in the physical challenge during last Sunday’s feisty goalless clash.

The cup holders have been accused of being bullied in this fixture in the past, but head coach Neil Lennon claimed there had been a “psychological shift” between the Edinburgh rivals following the match.

The replay – with a quarter-final clash with Ayr United at stake – is expected to be a different affair but long-serving defender Stevenson insists versatile Hibs can win the tie by outplaying their Premiership rivals.

“I think the derbies have changed a lot, especially this year,” he said.

“I think we’ve got in a few more physical players and I think we matched them in that aspect, and I’m sure we will do it again. If it becomes more of a football match, we’ve still got the players that can play football as well. We’re prepared for all manner of games.

“I think both teams would be disappointed about how they played. I don’t think we played the way we wanted to. The pitch wasn’t great but I’m sure the surface at Easter Road will be a bit better and it will probably suit both teams. I’m sure it’s going to be a very different game of football and hopefully one where football gets a chance to show.”

Last weekend’s derby will not go down as a classic but Stevenson said the fear of making a mistake on the poor pitch outweighed any desire to be adventurous going forward.

Hearts created the only meaningful chance after three minutes when Esmael Goncalves had a shot saved from close range, but it was a game where defences came out on top.

Stevenson, who won the League Cup with Hibs in 2007, said: “The pitch was tough to play on, it was a bit uneven and nobody wanted to take chances or wanted to be the one remembered for playing a square ball and losing it. Both teams could have been a bit braver and played a bit more.

“It’s hard for a groundsman. I’m sure they don’t really get the budget they’re supposed to get, then there’s the weather not being great in Scotland.”

Hibs will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run in the derby to seven matches but the defender reckons that record will haveing little bearing with nine Hearts players having only joined last month.

However, Stevenson was part of a Hibs side that failed to win the fixture in 12 matches between 2010 and 2012 and he admitted a barren run can prey on your mind.

“I’ve been on the other end of that, of going on a long run without beating them; the pressure does mount up. But they’ve got a lot of new players and I’m sure a lot of them don’t even know that’s the case. I feel confident. It’s a one-off game, you are

always confident with the players we’ve got that we can go and win a game.”

Stevenson made his first derby appearance in April 2007, in a 1-0 defeat but is now far more relaxed heading into tussles against Hearts.

“I enjoy the games now more than I ever did,” he said. “I used to get too nervous when I was younger but I can enjoy the occasion now. The build-up before it, I probably couldn’t sleep for the week; now it’s probably just the night before and it’s probably more excitement than apprehension.

“You don’t get bored of them and there is probably still the same buzz as the first one. There’s a lot of pressure and when you win they’re the best, but when you lose them they’re the worst.

“As soon as the game starts it does just feel like a normal game. You can’t get too carried away with it being a derby or you’ll end up doing something daft and get sent off.

“There are the usual flare-ups but you probably notice it’s a derby more during stoppages in play.”