The last time Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian met on Boxing Day, Martin Boyle’s pair had left Hearts rooted to the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table. Five months later they were relegated.
Five years later, the same fate threatens both clubs after a disappointing start to the league campaign. Hibs finished eighth and Hearts finished tenth. They are respectively four and two points off the league plunge.
Edinburgh’s big two have spent nearly two months as the bottom side of the Premiership, but have lost just once in the league in their last four games, so a win could move the winners closer to the top six than bottom of the table.
Thursday, December 26th, 12pm
Kickoff at 12:30 PM
Four of the last five meetings between the two sides have ended in draws, despite visitors Hibernian having won just once in 15 derbies since their Boxing Day victory in 2019.
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Highlights from the first Scottish Premiership match between Hibernian and Hearts this season
Neil Critchley and David Dray will be looking for a first Edinburgh Derby win as managers when the teams meet at Tynecastle Park on Thursday. Sky Sports live broadcast From 12pm.
Critchley: My heart is moving forward, but it takes time.
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Neil Critchley’s first few months as Hearts manager and the ‘massive’ Edinburgh derby against Hibernian on Boxing Day.
speaking Sky Sports News Ahead of the first Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle Park, heart head coach Neil Critchley said:
“It’s huge, I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a game everyone is looking forward to and we have been for the last few weeks.
“We came back on the back of a win but so did Hibs, so it was a really good game. It means a ton for the locals. The atmosphere is good, it’s a good opportunity but we have to make sure we are calm.
Blair Spittal scored the winner as Hearts beat St Johnstone and moved off the bottom of the table.
“If you look at the points we’ve collected while we’ve been here, we’re doing pretty well, but we want to do better. We’re close in the league, we’re close in points. It’s quite crowded down there. It’s about to get busy.
“You always want to do better. I think we have made some progress in our performance and are moving forward. I think we still have a lot of work to do and every manager or coach will say: We need time. Like I said, we need to get some wins.”
Gray: Best day on the calendar
speaking Sky Sports News Ahead of the trip to Tynecastle Park Paddy head coach david gray said:
“This game doesn’t need much introduction. I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of it for the past 10 years. It’s the most important day on the calendar and getting three points makes it even more special.
“It’s been five years since I last went and did that on Boxing Day. I hope it’s a good sign and I can send them home happy tomorrow.”
Nicky Cadden and Chris Cadden celebrate Hibernian’s successive 3-1 wins over Aberdeen in their last game.
“This is a game that all the players, fans and everyone involved are looking forward to. I’m sure everyone can’t wait.
“We’ve been quietly confident that things will get better. Now we’re starting to realize that the spirit of togetherness has always been there and we’re starting to feel confident with some positive results. That’s great.”
