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When Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian last met on Boxing Day, Martin Boyle’s brace kept Hearts bottom of the Scottish Premiership table. Five months later they were relegated.
Five years later, the same fate threatens both clubs after disappointing starts to league campaigns. Hibs sit in eighth place while Hearts languish in 10th, each just four and two points away from relegation.
Edinburgh’s big two have spent almost two months as the Premiership’s bottom pair, but with just one league defeat in each of their last four matches, victory could see the winners move closer to the top six than the foot of the table.
Thursday, December 26 at 12:00 p.m
Start at 12:30 p.m
Four of the last five meetings between these sides have ended in draws despite visitors Hibernian having won just one derby in 15 since winning on Boxing Day 2019.
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Highlights from the first Scottish Premiership match between Hibernian and Hearts this season
Both Neil Critchley and David Dray will be looking for their first Edinburgh Derby wins as managers when their teams meet at Tynecastle Park on Thursday – live on Sky Sports from 12 o’clock.
Critchley: Hearts go forward, but I need time
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Neil Critchley’s first few months as Hearts manager, plus the ‘big’ Edinburgh derby against Hibernian on Boxing Day
Speaking with Sky Sports News ahead of his first Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle Park, hearts 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’ve been looking forward to it for the last few weeks.
“We got in thanks to the win, but also Hibs, so that makes it a really good game. It means a lot to the people in the area. It’s a great atmosphere, a great opportunity, but we have to make sure we’re calm.
Blair Spittal scored the winner as Hearts beat St Johnstone to move up from bottom
“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 to the league and close to the points. It’s quite crowded at the bottom of the table and we have a busy period ahead of us.
“You always want to be better. We have had some improvement in performances and I think we are moving forward. I still think we have a lot of work to do and as any manager or coach would say: ‘we want time’ but we have to get some wins.”
Siva: The most beautiful day in the calendar
Speaking with Sky Sports News before heading to Tynecastle Park, Hibernian head coach David Gray said:
“This game doesn’t need much introduction. I’ve been lucky enough to take part in it for the last 10 years, it’s the best day in the calendar and if you get three points it makes it even more special.
“It’s been five years since we last went and did it on Boxing Day, so hopefully that’s a good sign and we can send them home happy tomorrow.
Nicky Cadden and Chris Cadden celebrate as Hibernian beat Aberdeen in their last game to make it a 3-1 back-to-back win
“For all the players, for the fans, for everyone involved, that’s what they’re looking forward to. I’m sure they’re all looking forward to it.
“We were quietly convinced that things would improve. Now you start to see that the togetherness has always been there and with a few positive results the confidence starts to come, which is great.”
