Hibernian Women make a trip across the city on Sunday to face Hearts at Oriam for their “huge” Sky Sports Cup clash this weekend.
And Hibs defender Siobhan Hunter insists she and her teammates must be ready for the challenge.
Experienced centre-back Hunter has praised the side’s preparations ahead of the tie while speaking to Hibs TV.
“Preparations have been good. Obviously good being back on the training pitch after the weekend. It’s just a quick turnaround game after game.
“It’s something that we’re looking forward to, but we need to be ready on Sunday.”
“It’s important that we reflect on the [Partick Thistle] win and look at where we can improve. There were moments in the game that we really did well, and we have to take that into Sunday’s game.”
Hunter added, “But that game’s gone now, so all focus is on Sunday coming.”
Hibs made it to the final of the competition last season, where they lost out to Rangers at Fir Park.
Thinking back to the defeat, Hunter told HibsTV how hard the players have been trying to bring the cup back to Leith for the first time since 2019.
“The cup competitions are massive. Any player wants to win cups. It’s been a huge thing at Hibs over the years, and we’ve been trying really hard to try and get the cup back, and all focus is on Sunday.
“It’s going to be a tough game, but we want to bring more cups home.”
In the first derby of the season Hearts left Tynecastle with a 2-0 victory.
Hunter has stated this defeat “definitely adds a little bit” of motivation to the squad. However, she added the match is treated as “business as usual”.
“It definitely adds a little bit (of motivation), but it is business as usual. We have to take into account that it’s a cup game; you can go to extra time, but if you lose, you’re out.
“It’s important that we stay in the game and make sure that we’re tight at the back, but also going forward we’re better than we were Sunday last week.
“It’ll be a tough game, and they’re on a good run, and they’re on their home pitch. They’re hard to play against there, but we have to go with confidence and go on Sunday and try and get the win.”
Being a lifelong Hibee, and having in played in many across her 13-year senior career at the club, Hunter is no stranger to what the Edinburgh Derby means.
She has described the upcoming double-header against Hearts as “huge” and said “there’s no bigger game” on the calendar.
“Edinburgh Derbies are huge. It’s the first fixture you look for when the fixtures come out. I think we got them in a cup before, so, yeah, there’s no bigger game for me.
“It’s just important that we make sure that we do our business on the day. It’s going to be a tough game, but it’s something that we’re looking to do and improve.
“We want to get to another final and try and get one better than last year. There’s no bigger game than Hibs versus Hearts.”
