We’ll need grit and polish to beat Jambos
EASTER ROAD, TONIGHT, 7.45, BT SPORT Lenny knows his side must battle as well as play silky soccer to come out on top
NEIL LENNON reckons Hearts are an entirely different animal under new boss Craig Levein.
And the Hibs boss has warned his players they’ll have to be ready to rumble against the rugged approach from across the city when they clash at Easter Road tonight.
Lennon insists derby matches are the ones that really matter in the eyes of the supporters – and admits his opposite number in the Hearts dugout knows exactly what it takes to succeed in the fixture.
He said: “I expect Hearts to be mentally and physically stronger.
“Craig knows these derbies far better than I do and knows what it takes to win them.
“Hearts are rugged and grinding out results and that is what Craig brings.
“We’ll have to force the issue if we must and put them under pressure when we can.
“If that means mixing it up physically as well as playing football then we can do that as we’ve proved already this season against really strong opposition.
“If the game is going to be feisty and gets turned into a physical battle I want them to be ready to stand up to that.
“I expect the game to be physical and to have a good tempo. It’s a game you want to make your name in.
“These are the games the fans remember and that is a real motivation for the players. We will be emphasising that a lot to the players between now and kick-off.”
Despite no wins in their last three Premiership and cup games Hibs are hoping to stretch their unbeaten derby record to eight matches.
And Lennon reckons the derby is the ideal game for Hibs to get over their weekend Betfred Cup semi-final loss to Celtic.
He said: “We’ve played Celtic, Aberdeen and Celtic in our last three games. We’ve drawn one and lost two but we’ve been a match for them in every game. We’re not far away from being a very good side at this level. But we have to maintain that consistency and level of performance.
“I’m not expecting to turn up and just win the game. I’m expecting to compete and play good football when we can, play at a good tempo and put Hearts on the back foot as often as we can.
“I don’t think the players are sore after the semi-final defeat to Celtic. They’re disappointed but I’ve nothing to berate them for.
“This is a great game to come back to. It’s a home derby. It will be a full house and the players have not had too much time to dwell on things after Saturday’s defeat and they are chirpy again.”
Lennon admits he was greatly impressed with teenager Oli Shaw who came on against the Hoops and scored his first goal for the club at Hampden.
He said: “It didn’t faze Oli so that was a real bonus. He’s a bit like Harry Kane, he starts the season and you think he’s a big lanky so and so. Then all of a sudden he starts playing really well, banging the goals in and leading the line.
“I don’t want to make him out to be the next such and such because he needs to add bits and pieces to his game. “He is a goalscorer and his touch is good. “The kid has waited long enough to get an opportunity.
“His goal against Celtic will do him the world of good. I just want the kid to kick on now as he’s been around it for a while.
“In the last three or four weeks he’s been banging the door down to get a start.”