Hibs boss wants natural order restored

EDINBURGH DERBY 1 DAY TO GO

From Back Page up for revenge. Instead, Lennon says the chance to move 12 points clear of their bitter rivals with a game in hand should be all the motivation Hibs need.

He insisted the gloves were off after taking exception to Levein’s claim that a 1-0 victory for the Jambos – their first in 10 against Hibs – in January’s Scottish Cup tie at Tynecastle would “restore the natural order”. As he geared up for tomorrow’s clash Lennon said: “Sometimes you say things in the emotion.

“He said he doesn’t regret it but maybe one day he will live to regret it.”

But Levein, who has only lost seven times to Hibs in 53 games as player and manager, said: “My experiences in this game are ones of positivity and teams I’ve been involved with are used to coming out on top in this fixture. That was my point. Part of it was tongue in cheek of course but my experiences in this derby are usually us winning and that’s what it has been like for a long, long time.

“Hibs will be determined, especially at home, to beat us in this fixture. I understand that but from my point of view the harder they try the better it us for us.”

Lennon tried to keep it cool ahead of the game despite the post-match war of words after the last derby.

He said: “I wasn’t happy about it and he knows that but it’s been cordial and hopefully it will stay the same.

“I haven’t really spoken to the players about it but I probably will do over the next couple of days and gauge it from there.

“I don’t think the players need any extra motivation but if they do then we can always use that.

“It’s the derby, we’re at home and we will take the game to them at every opportunity.

“You can’t get over-emotional otherwise it fatigues you mentally and physically.

“So we will have to be cold and professional and we will approach the game the same way we have approached every other match.”