Cole keen to avoid more derby Blues

AS an Everton supporter, the Merseyside derby will always have a strong emotional to pull to Hearts striker Cole Stockton.

However, the 23-yearold insists the Tynecastle side’s rivalry with Hibernian is more intense due to those playing in it having an innate understanding of the fixture.

Recent clashes between the feuding capital teams have not been for the football purists, but the fullblooded nature of the games ensures the matches remain compelling contests.

The latest instalment of Stockton’s home city derby did not go his way after former Celtic defender Virgil Van Dijk netted the winner in a 2-1 FA Cup victory for the Reds on his debut.

The result partly spoiled the Hearts forward’s break in the Highlands with partner Lois, but the game also served to remind the 23-year-old that the Edinburgh version has retained its identity.

Stockton, who is hoping to start in Sunday’s Scottish Cup fourth round visit of Neil Lennon’s team, said: “Because there are so many foreigners playing in Merseyside now, with the Edinburgh derby its different.

“There are a lot of local lads, Scottish and English lads so it means more. You can feel it more. It’s a massive game.

“I’m a Blue so I didn’t enjoy the last Merseyside derby. It had Van Dijk written all over it.

“I was in Lochgoilhead with the missus watching it as we got a cabin for a few days up there. I went to bed straight after.”

A burly centre- forward, Stockton will not be overawed by the physical challenge of facing Hibs if he is chosen to lead the line in the absence of suspended team-mate Kyle Lafferty.

He added: “I’ll just keep myself ready for whatever is what.

“The physical side of it comes with it. You’ve got to have that in your head. It’s a battle first to earn the right to play.

“Marvin Bartley is quite physical and so is Efe Ambrose - he’s physical but he’s not a big lad. Apart from that they’ve got a few good players John McGinn, very good. Brandon Barker is quick and then Simon Murray, he’s all right.

“They’ve got good players but with the players we’ve got, I don’t think we should have a problem.”

Hearts have been eliminated from the Scottish Cup by Hibs in the past two seasons and their fans have been without the bragging rights since August, 2014.

Stockton, therefore, is keen to rectify Hearts’ recent barren record against their Leith counterparts.

He added: “It’s due isn’t it? It’s got to be due, by the law of averages it’s got to be coming.

“Derbies are the same, you have to earn the right to play. You’ve got to roll your sleeves up and earn that right to play.”

Stockton will return to Edinburgh with the squad tomorrow after a five-day winter training break in Spain.

Manager Craig Levein played experimental sides in their two friendlies at their Oliva Nova base. Friday’s 1-1 draw with Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem was followed up by Saturday’s 5-0 defeat to German Bundesliga 2 title hopefuls Nurnberg.