Speed merchants hold key to success in Hampden Park derby
Two teams from the same city, t wo fluid formations, two managers familiar with the other’s work, but only one prize at stake.
Hearts and Hibs will have identified each other’s weaknesses and formulated plans to exploit them. Those plans will likely hold the key for whoever succeeds at Hampden Park today.
Hearts are the Championship club looking to usurp a Premiership opponent. They are expected to deploy manager Robbie Neilson’s longfavoured 4- 2- 3- 1 system with an element of freedom.
Hibs manager Jack Ross, previously part of Neilson’s Riccarton coaching staff, will assemble his team in a similarly adaptable way. His 4- 4- 2 formation often flips to 3- 5- 2 during play.
There are comparisons to be drawn. Hearts’ back four in front of goalkeeper Craig Gordon will likely be Michael Smith at right- back, Craig Halkett and Mihai Popescu at centre- back, with Stephen Kingsley left- back.
When S mit h o r Ki ngsl ey venture f or ward, t he remaining defenders can form a three- man back line for that phase of play.
I t a l l ows t h e f u l l - b a c k t o become an extra man i n attack and t he change sometimes stays i n place for a while if pressure is sustained. They will then revert back to four defenders.
The holding midfielders – any t wo f rom Olly Lee, Andy Halliday, Peter Haring and Andy Irving – support an attacking trio in behind striker Liam Boyce. Much interest surrounds that forward t riumvirate as f ans await news on winger Josh Ginnelly’s fitness. Neilson prioritises pace out wide and Jordan Roberts and Elliott Frear could both start if Ginnelly doesn’t. Craig Wighton is expected to feature after recent goalscoring f orm, while captain Steven Naismith’s hamstring has hindered him this term.
Hibs have utilised different starting formations under Ross. Their 4- 4- 2 works well because it easily slides into a 3- 5- 2 when the chance arises – similar to the tactic used by Neilson.
Right- back Paul Mcginn can tuck inside to form a three- man defence alongs i de Ryan Por t e o us a nd Paul Hanlon, while winger Martin Boyle has featured at right wing- back.
Boyle’s pace will be a major threat to Hearts, one which Kingsley will be asked to stifle.
Lewis Stevenson will be left- back if fit. If not, 18- yearold Josh Doig will deputise. Both can also operate as wing- backs when asked. Goalkeeper Ofir Marciano is in steady form.
Alex Gogic has brought much- needed stability to the Hibs midfield, allowing technicians such as Stevie Mallan and Joe Newell to play. The Cypriot also covers fullbacks well.
Strikers Christian Doidge and Kevin Nisbet are wellmatched. Doidge uses his physical presence t o pin defenders and win headers, with Nisbet’s movement and finishing prowess the ideal foil.
With s p e e d merchants such as Roberts, Frear, Ginnelly, Boyle and Murphy, whoever makes the running in this game may gain a crucial advantage on the wideopen Hampden surface.