HIBS boss John Hughes today insisted Derek Riordan will be fit for tomorrow's derby clash at Tynecastle despite his leading scorer missing the penultimate training session.
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John Hughes believes Derek Riordan will be fit for tomorrow's Edinburgh derbyRiordan, named in George Burley's Scotland
squad for next weekend's friendly against Wales in Cardiff, sat out yesterday's work-out as he received treatment for a knock.
But, like others who have been under the eye of physio Colin McClelland in the wake of last weekend's victory over Aberdeen which saw Dons stars Maurice Ross and Chris Maguire sent off following illegal challenges on Riordan, Ian Murray and Kevin McBride, Hughes is adamant his striker will be ready for the trip to Gorgie.
The only worry for Hughes is the fitness of Moroccan playmaker Merouane Zemmama, the midfielder having limped out of the action against Aberdeen after only 15 minutes having picked up a groin injury.
However, contrary to reports that Zemmama has been ruled out for three weeks, Hughes insisted the player continues to improve under intensive treatment although he conceded it will be "touch and go" as to whether he plays.
He said: "We'll give Zouma to the last minute, he's been getting treatment and he's been improving.
"As for Derek, he's been carrying a wee knock but he will be all right as will all the others."
Hibs go into the lunchtime kick-off six places and 11 points ahead of their biggest rivals with Easter Road fans anticipating victory – an expectation Hughes hopes to fulfil while warning that, as ever, derby matches can swing in favour of either club with one touch of magic or a basic mistake.
He said: "We don't have to go there gung-ho and try to win the game in the first half. Hearts are at home and the pressure is on them to win. We want the three points and I think we are good enough to do that but you can give everything you have got in a derby match and still come away disappointed.
"Hearts are a big, physical side but the most important thing is that we go and play our style of football. You can get caught up in it, run about as much as you like but the hardest thing is to get on the ball and make your passes.
"We have to control our emotions, play our game and trust each other."
Hughes knows he can rely on the experience of players like skipper Chris Hogg, Riordan and Murray who have played in plenty Edinburgh derbies and while midfield star Liam Miller will be sampling the occasion for the first time he's already taken part in such games in Glasgow, Manchester and the north-east of England.
But, he also insisted, he'll have no worries over 19-year-old David Wotherspoon who will be subjected to the white-hot cauldron of Tynecastle for the first time and, most probably, the task of shackling Hearts winger Andy Driver.
He said: "I have no qualms whatsoever about David. He's played ten games or so now and he's already shown what a good football player he is.
"He won't go out there and be fazed by it all. These are occasions to look forward to and be inspired, to be going out there saying to yourself 'I fancy a bit of this'. And David has that in him."
