LIAM MILLER will get his first taste of the white-hot atmosphere created when Edinburgh's big two clash as he lines up to face Hearts at Tynecastle tomorrow.
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Liam Miller, pictured celebrating Hibs' second goal against Aberdeen, expects a passionate match against HeartsBut the Hibs midfield ace is no stranger to such occasions having played in derbies in Glasgow, Manchester and the north-east of England. And the Republic of Ireland star can boast the proud record of having lost just once in seven, including the enviable achievement of three successive wins in one season as Celtic lined up against Rangers.
Although he's since faced Manchester City at Old Trafford, Newcastle United at St James' Park and Middlesbrough home and away, the 28-year-old insists the Old Firm clashes live up to their reputation of being the biggest derbies in the world.
However, while tomorrow's lunchtime encounter in Gorgie may be witnessed by around a third of the number who cram into Celtic Park and Ibrox when the Glasgow outfits meet, Miller has no doubt Edinburgh's answer to the Old Firm will engender just as much passion.
He said: "I've played in a few derbies in different places and each one of them is a special occasion. Wherever they take place there is the rivalry between the fans and the clubs, the desire to get the bragging rights until the next one comes along.
"To be honest, the Old Firm clashes are the biggest I have played in but the lads here have told me this is a fierce derby so I know what to expect. No game is easy and a derby certainly is not. The scale of the Edinburgh derby may be different to the Old Firm purely on the size of the grounds but I have no doubt the passion won't be any different, the fans of both sides will be desperate to come out on top." Miler's first taste of an Old Firm clash came six years ago when an own goal by Rangers' Zurab Khizanishvili gifted Celtic victory at Ibrox, a feat the Hoops repeated when they returned to Govan five months later to win 2-1.
A 3-0 victory at Celtic Park was sandwiched between those games and, although winning such matches brings unbridled joy both on and off the pitch, Cork-born Miller has no doubts doing so on the opposition's home turf makes it all the sweeter.
He said: "It's as everyone tells you about an Old Firm game, you don't understand it until you have experienced it, you just don't realise how special it all is.
"Winning any game is enjoyable, to do so away from home is very satisfying but to win a derby at the opposition's ground makes it that little bit better."
A no-scoring draw in Manchester followed after Miller turned down the offer of a £20,000-a-week contract by Celtic in favour of joining his boyhood heroes at Old Trafford before the Irishman moved on to Sunderland where he savoured the fervour of derbies in the North-East where Middlesbrough, and primarily, Newcastle were the Black Cats' biggest rivals.
While Miller enjoyed a draw and a 3-2 win against 'Boro, a 2-0 setback at St James' Park gave him his only taste of defeat in a derby, an experience he is naturally keen to avoid tomorrow.
Although Hibs make the short trip across the Capital sitting proudly in second place in the SPL table, 11 points ahead of Hearts and seeking to widen that gap to 14, Miller has enough experience of such matches to know it's not as simple as some Easter Road fans are anticipating.
He said: "Of course, we are full of confidence and we know the position we are in but we cannot allow ourselves to be caught up in it all. It's a massive match for both clubs but, in essence, it is the same three points that are in offer in every game.
"You have to keep a calm head although that is easier said than done as things can flare up in the heat of the moment.
"I honestly don't think it makes any difference where the respective sides are at the moment, the history of derby matches is littered with the underdog winning.
"You only have to look to last season when, so I have been told, Hibs went to Tynecastle with half a team missing and yet they won.
"I've played at Tynecastle before and, although it's a smaller ground than Celtic Park and Ibrox, it is an intimidating place with the fans so close to the pitch.
"The vast majority will also be Hearts fans getting behind their team and making it as hostile as possible for us but we have to focus on trying to play our own game. We'll be looking to be as positive as we can possibly be." Although many may have been taken aback by the scintillating start Hibs have made to the season, Miller, a shock arrival alongside countryman Anthony Stokes as boss John Hughes set about reshaping his squad, insisted he's not been surprised in the slightest.
He said: "I see the quality we have within the squad in training every day. The gaffer and his coaching staff have instilled a real work ethic, everyone is working hard and pushing each other which is the way you want it at any club.
"But allied to the talent and belief we have in ourselves, there is a real grit and determination to take the three points in every game if we possible can. I think that was shown against Aberdeen last week.
"Although they were down to nine men, they were getting behind the ball and making it really hard for us. We kept working hard for each other, though, and it was just a case of getting that first goal which, thankfully, Colin Nish scored with a great header."
Miller himself clinched the win with his first goal for Hibs, a feat he admits he wouldn't mind repeating tomorrow.
And, while lifelong Hibs fans Ian Murray and Derek Riordan have been leaving Hughes' new signings in no doubt as to what tomorrow means, Miller revealed he's also had a word of advice from his binman.
He said: "Ian and Derek have, as you would expect, had plenty to say, telling us all about it as they are well used to playing in this particular derby.
"But I was putting my rubbish out the other day when the binman left me in no doubt – he told me pure and simple, we have to win."
