Darren McGregor insists Hibs should "thrive’ "on the prospect of toppling Premiership leaders Hearts in their own back yard in tomorrow’s Edinburgh derby.
Neil Lennon’s side cross the capital to take on a Hearts team fresh from Betfred Cup disappointment but still with the comfort of being five points clear in the league.
Hibs are further behind, a full eight points off the blistering pace set by their rivals in a remarkable start to the campaign.
But McGregor believes the red-hot atmosphere and the importance of the fixture can bring out the best in the Easter Road outfit as they seek a first win in Gorgie in over five years.
He said: “We’re excited for the game. That’s the one, as a Hibs player and a fan, that you look towards at the start of the season.
“Obviously they’ve started really well and hit a rich vein of form.
“It will definitely be a competitive game, they always are at Tynecastle, and that’s why you play football, to be involved in these games.
“Hearts have recruited well and have a massive squad to pick from.
“They are top of the league on merit, so we just need to swallow that pill at the minute, and hopefully go there and put in a good performance and get a victory.
“But we’re under no illusions that Tynecastle is a difficult place to go to.
“They play the pitch well and it’s an intimidating atmosphere, which the guys should thrive on. Playing on a Wednesday night under the lights adds to it as well.
“But I’m just looking forward to it. It would be amazing to get the three points.”
McGregor made his first appearance in three months when Hibs lost 4-2 to Celtic 10 days ago.
The former St Mirren and Rangers defender has been struggling with a knee injury that flared up during the club’s Europa League tie with Greek side Asteras Tripolis.
The Parkhead loss was just the second time Hibs had been defeated in the league this season but Hearts have lost just once in 10 top-flight games – and only once at home since returning to the new-look Tynecastle last term.
McGregor admits it adds up to an intriguing first derby of the season, with the interesting sub-plot of Hearts’ injury problems and Hibs’ hopes of players being able to return.
He added: “I was asking Paul [Hanlon] how many times he’s actually won at Tynecastle. It’s quite a hard thing to do and, for him, it was three or four times.
“We’ve drawn a few times and had a couple of narrow defeats but, for me personally, it would be great to go over and win, because it’s something we’ve not done.
“It’s going to be very difficult, the way they’re playing, but I believe in our team as well.
“We’ve got off to a cracking start, so it will be an interesting game to watch.”
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