I WAS reading Steven Pressley's comments last week about how he reckons the Edinburgh derby offers more in terms of excitement than the Old Firm game. For me the derby is always the game that really gets me excited, sometimes sick with excitement, but excited all the same.
And as 12:30 approached on Saturday I started getting those jitters I only ever get on derby day – I sometimes get the same jitters when I find myself wandering up Lothian Road alone late on a Saturday night, but thankfully that's not all that often
these days!
Once my old mucker Scott Wilson (aka MC Tynie) invited the fans to "make some noise" it soon became apparent that we were in for a pretty high tempo affair.
Both sides were set out for the win and no sooner had Hibs pressed than we were back defending in numbers and this was the story of the game for me.
Hibs could have won this one by one, two or three goals had Riordan's first-half free-kick been more convincing, had Fletcher taken a cleaner shot, if JJ connected with his second half chance and if only Chris Hogg was as good a striker as he is a defender.
Similarly, we could have been battered by one, two or three had the woodwork not thwarted our opposition's number of chances. Similarly a number of chances were squandered by sole striker Nade, but from Hibs' point of view Big Yves decided to pull out a fine performance dishing out saves when required.
Mixu said that he has long needed competition for the goalkeeping role and the signing of Grzegorgz Szamotulski appears to have given the big Belgian just the jolt that was required. If we now have a situation where our goalies play on top of their game to keep their position then so be it. There was debate amongst Hibs fans as to whether or not it would have been fair on Yves for Grzegorgz to walk straight into the team for the derby. International clearance prevented this being a problem, but it will be interesting to see what Mixu decides to do as soon as the paperwork is sorted.
One new boy who did start was Jonatan Johansson. I think he looks like he can certainly do a job for us, but did look as if he needed to get a bit more match fit.
Most disappointing aspect of Saturday's game was Alan O'Brien. I don't like knocking any Hibs player, but it looks like he has hit a bit of previous form. Unfortunately it seems to be his earlier Hibs form as opposed to the fine run he was on prior to injury and to be honest, it wasn't a big surprise when he got the hook on the 70th minute.
Given this was the first of two vital clashes I have to say I'll settle for a draw from Tynecastle in this particular one and I don't think there is any question it was a better result for us than perhaps for our fiercest rivals – who would no doubt have been supremely confident of a victory on the lead-up to this one
We now look to the second leg of this double header on Sunday which is all about the Scottish Cup and thankfully it takes place at Easter Road. For obvious reasons this match has a bigger edge to it than Saturday's clash and that's why I think it being at home is so important.
Hibs will have a clear week to prepare with no midweek fixtures as distraction and this will also give big Rob Jones a chance to recover. As much as I thought we defended well enough on Saturday, our captain is such a key figure for us at the back and to have him returning to his place will be a big boost.
Other decisions might be about whether to start once again with the likes of Alan O'Brien, JJ and even big Yves if our new keeper's paperwork is sorted. These questions and many more will be asked over the coming days. As ever we won't get definite answers till much nearer the time. The only thing I can be absolutely sure of is those jitters will be set to return on Sunday round about 12 o'clock-ish!
• THE rivalry between the two supports was highlighted before kick-off when the minute's silence in memory of George Miller was interrupted by a number of bawheids in the Hibs end. Just as distasteful was once again the treatment dished out to Dean Shiels when he came on. These fans did nothing but embarrass their respective clubs and merely dragged the east coast clubs back towards the ugliness of the tasteless behaviour offered by supporters of certain west coast clubs. Rant over.
