Cammy Devlin is a doubt for Hearts ahead of Sunday’s televised Derby with arch rivals Hibs as the Aussie midfielder is still going through concussion protocol after his head injury in the Scottish Gas, Scottish Cup win over St Mirren at Paisley.
It’s a position which is frustrating for the player and the club, but head coach, Neil Critchley (pictured), said he would not take any chances with the combative player.
Several other players are suffering from bumps and bruises following the midweek win over St Mirren in the William Hill Premiership, but the coach hopes they will make trip across the Capital.
There is, he said, a different feel to the game compared to the previous meeting at Easter Road in late October. Then the teams propped up the 12-strong table.
The Jambos are in form and have suffered only one defeat – that was to Rangers at Tynecastle – in 12 fixtures. They are also unbeaten in seven games away from Tynecastle.
The Englishman conceded that Hibs are also in form. They are unbeaten in 14 starts, winning ten.
Critchley warned: “There is a new energy and enthusiasm from the players.”
The coach believes that the clash “has the makings of a really good game” and his target is three points and that would secure a haul of nine points since last Sunday.
On the flip side, sixth-placed Hearts can’t afford to slip up. They have 36 points while Dundee United are fifth with 40 points, the same points as fourth-placed Hibs.
Hearts have so far scored 40 goals and let in 38 while their city rivals have scored 42 goals and conceded 39. Both have played 28 games.
Experienced news, business, arts, sport and travel journalist. Food critic and managing editor of a well-established food and travel website. Also a magazine editor of publications with circulations of up to 200,000 and managing director of a long-established PR/marketing company with a string of blue-chip clients in its CV. Former communications lecturer at a Scottish university and social media specialist for a string of successful and busy SMEs.
