Gary Naysmith believes Sunday's Edinburgh derby has all the makings of a classic, because both dugouts are full of "perfectionists".
The lunchtime match brings together two people the East Fife manager knows well. He was a team-mate of the Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson at Tynecastle and the pair were part of the coaching team in Methil last year. The former Scotland defender also has an insight into the Hibernian camp having lined up alongside the head coach Alan Stubbs during his seven years at Everton.
The Hearts fan, who is thrilled at seeing his favourites establish a nine-point lead over Rangers, believes that if Hearts and Hibs "keep trying to play how they are trying to play" it could be one of the best derby games for years. "I heard [Hearts assistant head coach] Stevie Crawford speak after Saturday's win over Dumbarton, and they are striving for perfection. He said perfection would have been 7-0 or 8-0. It was 5-1 but he said the goal could have been avoided and that Hearts should have scored two or three more. If you are a fan of a club that aren't happy with 5-1 then it's fantastic. I think it's going to be difficult for anybody to catch Hearts now they've got the points in the bag."
Hibs have not lost in five outings, and Naysmith added: "Stubbsy looks as if he's turned the corner and I always thought he would. He's one of the biggest moaners I've known in my life. He strives for perfection and he wants his team to play the right way."
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