Anthony Stokes in confident mood ahead of Edinburgh derby

Anthony Stokes is in confident mood ahead of tomorrow’s Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle as he believes that Hibs have better players than Hearts.

Whilst he accepts that derbies are mostly about desire, he insists that on the majority of occasions, the better players come out on top.

Hibs currently sit five points clear of Hearts and are unbeaten in the fixture since August 2014.

Speaking after Saturday’s victory over Ross County the Irish international said:  “I think we have to back ourselves because the league table doesn’t lie.

“Our form has been good apart from one blip at Aberdeen and after the performance against Ross County, everything looks a lot brighter.

“Derbies tend not to have much free-flowing football, they are all about desire, but the better players, nine times out of ten, still come out on top.  I fancy our squad, I 
really do.”

“Tynecastle is good. I’ve always enjoyed playing there, it’s always a great atmosphere. I get pelters, but I don’t mind that.”

Stokes who scored the opener against the Staggies also revealed that extra gym work has added sharpness to his game.

He continued: “Last week, I actually went to see the fitness coaches at Hibs because over the last couple of weeks I just hadn’t felt like I had the sharpness or fitness about me that I needed.

“After that, I’ve been doing a bit of extra work in the gym and after training and it paid off against County.

“I felt as if I had a spring in my step. So that’s something that I need to maintain. I was doing gym work, some squats, some stand-ups off the boards, a bit of fitness work as well. The previous two or three weeks, I felt like I didn’t have a kick to get away from players.

“Obviously it was a tough period for us, even mentally, but I felt a bit fatigued going into the 60th minute of game. I wasn’t sure what it was. Maybe I just needed that extra bit of work.”