Grant Brebner, the Hibs midfielder and a lifelong fan of the club, has said he is worried that ground-sharing with Hearts with dissipate the fierce rivalry between the sides.

Brebner claimed the trips across town for rival supporters to attend Edinburgh derby games were steeped in history, and it would be wrong to get rid of them. He admitted his argument was more emotional than financial and that there were pros and cons to any plan to ground-share.

''There would be pluses and negatives to any move to ground-share,'' said Brebner. ''On the up side, it would be good financially, because I'm sure both clubs would save money, and bigger and better clubs than Hibs and Hearts have shown it can work.

''However, from the players' point of view, we like going through to Tynecastle for derby matches and I'm sure they like coming to Easter Road. It's all about the Edinburgh rivalry, and, speaking as a player and a fan, I think sharing would take some of that away and that would be disappointing.

''In time, people would come to get used to it, once they got over their initial shock. I suppose in 10 years' time there would be a new generation of supporter for whom it would be second nature. Both clubs have an almost unlimited amount of history behind them at their current grounds, but looking at it from the perspective of the money men on both sides, it may have to be done.''

Steven Pressley, the Hearts captain, felt that, financially, ground-sharing made perfect sense and, in the current economic climate, such a move is just bowing to the inevitable.

The Scotland internationalist said he realised sections of the Tynecastle support will be upset by yesterday's announcement that the clubs have agreed to discuss the principle of a shared stadium.

''Of course there are going to be certain sections of the Hearts fan-base that will be against this but the full picture must be looked at, and from the club's point of view it would make proper sense financially,'' said Pressley.

''I would imagine that the stadium they are proposing would be a great complex and a great arena to play football in, and, in the current financial climate, which is gripping not just Scottish football but European football, every avenue of cutting costs has to be explored.

''Obviously, things are only at an early stage but both clubs will look at it as an advantageous move in terms of finances, and at this moment in time that is very, very important.

''From the supporters' point of view and from the players' point of view, we enjoy going over to Easter Road and play-ing Hibs there, and it would be disappointing to lose that side of things but you've got to look at the full picture, and that is that for both sides it seems to make sense financially.''

Chris Robinson, the Hearts chief executive, and Rod Petrie, the managing director of Hibs, have promised extensive consultation on the issue. However, last night it was clear the supporters groups were split over the merits of such a move for their respective clubs.

Derek Watson, of the Hearts supporters trust, said: ''I think there is perhaps a battle ahead on this one. At our last meeting the feedback we got was almost 100% for remaining at Tynecastle and looking at the possibilities of how Tynecastle could be altered.

''In saying that, there was no other serious proposal on the table at that time, and I think fans would look at this ground- share plan on its merits.''

Hibs supporters appeared to be split on the move and looked like they could be swayed by the financial benefits rather than dwelling on the emotional ties to Easter Road.

Stuart Crowther, of the fans website, hibs.net, said: ''It is vital the clubs consult the fans but the messages we have been getting suggest a split of about 60-40 in favour.

''Don't get me wrong, I would love to stay at Easter Road and I am sure there will be traditionalists who will not want to move under any circumstances. On the other hand, we have big debts and the time might be nigh for a change. I think most fans would want to see a good team on the pitch, whether it was Easter Road or somewhere else.''

John Campbell, a Hibs supporter, said that in general terms, followers of both teams would be shocked at the plan. ''I suspect this will not go down well with large numbers of fans on both sides of the city,'' he said.