HIBERNIAN supporters have sold out the Tynecastle away end for the forthcoming Edinburgh derby as they seek to throw a relegation "party" for bitter rivals Hearts.
With just nine games to play in a wretched campaign, which currently sees them sit 21 points behind second-bottom St Mirren, Hearts may already be consigned to the Championship by the time Hibs visit on March 30.
However, depending on results between now and then, defeat a week on Sunday could turn out to be the match that tips Gary Locke's team over the edge. Either way, Hibs supporters have shown their appetite for being able to rub salt into the wounds of their city foes.
Season-ticket holders bought up the last of the Easter Road club's 3500 allocation at the weekend, meaning no public sale of briefs will take place for the trip to Gorgie.
The sell-out contrasts with the meeting with Hearts at Tynecastle on August 11, when Hibs failed to fill the Roseburn Stand for the 1-0 defeat under previous manager Pat Fenlon.
Terry Butcher, his replacement, has seen his reign falter after an impressive initial impact and the desire to attend the Hearts match is out of place with the disquiet amongst supporters over their team's performances of late. But it seems fans do not want to miss out on the prospect of celebrating the sinking of their fiercest adversaries.
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