ROSS: MOVES NO TYNIE FEAT
HIBS’ season-ticket push may have been driven by the slogan “this is our city” but Jack Ross admits he’d love to see both Edinburgh giants race off at Scottish football’s summit.
So long as it’s the Leith men who remain in pole position, of course.
Ross is aiming to make it two wins from two trips to Tynecastle as Hibs boss to extend his side’s lead at the top of the table.
But he reckons the unbeaten starts both clubs have enjoyed speak volumes for the advances they’ve made on and off the park in the past 24 months.
It’s almost exactly two years since the clash dubbed the “sack derby”, which saw both sides in the bottom three and bosses Craig Levein and Paul Heckingbottom both get the boot within a month.
Now they meet as first and second forces in the league and Ross said: “It’s indicative of both clubs going in the right direction.
“To be fair to both clubs’ hierarchies, they understand the importance of some collaborative thinking and trying to make a strong Edinburgh in footballing terms. We want to be best in the city.
“But we understand the importance of having two really strong teams in the city. At the moment we’ve got that and it’s healthy if it continues to be the case.”
Stattos have to go back eight league fixtures for the last home victory in this derby, with HIbs having won twice and drawn one of their last three trips across the city.
Ross is desperate for more and with Martin Boyle – who netted both goals as HIbs won their last trip there 2-0 – fit, he knows he has more than one match-winner at hand.
He said: “Derby matches in isolation are unique games. A lot of aspects go out the window – form, favourites, home backing.
“We go there with an away record over the last season and a bit that has been brilliant. It’s about trying to continue that.
“Martin’s a matchwinner, he has shown that. His goals and assists record is brilliant. He’s had that feeling of scoring at Tynecastle and winning. He wants that again.”