Hearts skipper Christophe Berra relishing derby encounter with Hibernian
Monday 25 December 2017 13:52, UK
Christophe Berra hopes Hearts can replicate their performance in the 4-0 win over Celtic when they face city rivals Hibernian on Wednesday.
The Jambos host Hibs at Tynecastle in the Edinburgh derby, live on Sky Sports Football on Wednesday night, and are full of confidence after ending Celtic's 69-match unbeaten run in their last game.
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Berra spoke to Sky Sports News on Christmas morning and is eagerly looking forward to the clash against Hibs, who are one place and five points above Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.
"It's always a massive game against your local rivals," the Hearts skipper said.
"Being over the festive period I think it adds that little edge - on a Wednesday night, under the lights live on television at Tynecastle, it can't get any better.
"It's a massive game for both teams but (more so for us) being at our home stadium, our home ground. We are in good form and we want to repeat our performance form the Celtic game."
A glorious strike from Simon Murray was the difference when the two sides met in October but Berra is quietly optimistic Hearts can give a better account of themselves in this week's derby.
He said: "We've still got a long way to go. We are making small steps, we're still chopping and changing and we've got a lot of young players but we have made small strides, so hopefully it will be an improvement.
"We know it's going to be a tough game. Hibs have had a good season so far, they are a good team and their starting XI is basically the same most weeks.
"They beat us 1-0 at their place, we didn't play as well as we could but we're at home at Tynecastle. It's going to be a great atmosphere if we can get on the front foot and with the fans behind us there is no better place."
