Johnson says Edinburgh derby was lure to Hibs
LEE JOHNSON admits the Edinburgh derby – and getting one over pal Robbie Neilson – was one of the biggest draws of his move to Hibernian.
The new Easter Road manager is already relishing the prospect of trying to rein in his new club’s neighbours after a season of coming a firm second best to their city foes.
The rivalry will be given added spice by the fact Johnson was briefly a Hearts team-mate of Tynecastle counterpart Neilson and the pair remain firm friends 16 years later.
Johnson said: “The derby was one of the big draws for me, it really was. Having played in a Hibs-Hearts derby before, that was the biggest I ever played in and the most passionate derby.
“As a manager, I’ve not had great derbies. Probably Oldham-Rochdale was the best one – I didn’t get the Bristol derby, I didn’t get the Newcastle-Sunderland derby.
“Barnsley had a few but not at the same sort of level of passion you get with Hibs versus Hearts. Robbie Neilson is a great mate of mine, I have go to be honest; he’s a really good friend of mine.
“I sent him a message saying, ‘I’m coming for you Curly Toe’. Robbie’s ‘curly toe’ came from his passing quality – he’d miss the first centre-forward, it would go to the second centre-forward then curl out of play!
“He sent me a lovely text back saying he was really looking forward to this derby. He said it’s going to be the ‘Curly Toe v Cuban Heel’ derby - because I’m obviously not the tallest of managers!
“So we already have that little bit of ‘spirit’ to win going between us, if you like.
“We might get the odd pasting every now and again where we get it wrong but I think we will win more than we lose with that attitude.”