Stendel is in need of right reaction for derby glory

DANIEL STENDEL has challenged his victorious Hearts players to avoid the same post-victory comedown that saw them plunge further into relegation trouble following their last big win over Rangers. And he has urged them to bring all the discipline and drive they showed in Saturday’s Scottish Cup special at Tynecastle to tonight’s Edinburgh derby. The German head coach knows that beating Rangers 1-0 to set up an all-capital Cup semi-final has raised expectations ahead of tonight’s trip to Easter Road. But he insists that only a sustained run of form will save them from the horrors of the drop. And Stendel is wary of history repeating itself, pointing to the fact that Hearts have not won once in the league since January’s 2-1 victory over

Rangers in Gorgie — a run that has left them rooted to the foot of the table. ‘It’s important that we show it wasn’t just one game we improved for and played with much more discipline,’ he said. ‘That’s the biggest thing for me, that we show we can do it again. ‘After the first Rangers game we looked like we were going the right way. We played well and won — and had games in front of us that, if we’d played similarly, then we can win. But that didn’t happen. ‘It’s important we have the same discipline tomorrow, then we have a good chance to stop Hibs’ offence, and get our chances to win. ‘What’s important is our discipline, our concentration and our defensive behaviour. That doesn’t just mean the back four and goalkeeper, that means our team.’

Underlining the scale of the challenge facing Hearts tonight, Stendel says he believes his city rivals have improved since they won 2-0 at Tynecastle on Boxing Day. But he is hoping that his team’s situation at the wrong end of the table will give them the edge when it comes to desire and fight. ‘What I’ve seen from our analysis of Hibs is they’ve improved in the last couple of weeks, they’ve been really good,’ said Stendel. ‘We need the points. It’s a derby and I think we can use the points more than Hibs.’ Hibs boss Jack Ross, meanwhile, has insisted the ‘allure’ and ‘tradition’ of Hampden makes it his preferred venue for next month’s Scottish Cup semi-final Edinburgh derby. The capital giants both being drawn together in the last four has led to debate over whether the tie should be staged at Murrayfield. But Ross said: ‘I know Hampden has its critics as a venue but it still generates a terrific atmosphere when there’s a passionate crowd. I don’t think anyone can debate that. ‘It still holds that allure for players and, as a manager, it’s no different. ‘Hampden is the national stadium, traditionally we play semi-finals and finals there. So be it. We get on with it.’ Ross believes Hearts would be handed a small advantage if the game is staged at Murrayfield but insists it is not a major issue. ‘Any familiarity with a stadium (is helpful),’ he said. ‘Hearts have a lot more experience of playing at Murrayfield than we have because during the period of the Main Stand reconstruction at Tynecastle they played their games there. ‘It would not make a huge difference but, if you are looking at it simply from a sporting integrity point of view, if you like, they have certainly had more experience of playing in that stadium and on that pitch.’