Hibernian manager Nick Montgomery eagerly anticipating first Edinburgh derby experience

Hibernian boss Nick Montgomery can’t wait for his first taste of the Edinburgh derby and hopes the travelling support can help roar his side to victory.

Montgomery will take his side to Tynecastle on Saturday on the back of a four-match unbeaten run and having lifted the side’s spirits as well as improving results since succeeding Lee Johnston a month ago.

While he has settled quickly at Easter Road, he’ll be experiencing a derby at Tynecastle for the first time and he revealed he’s looking forward to the fixture after hearing from others about the atmosphere.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Montgomery said. “I’ve obviously heard a lot about it and understand what a derby means for the fans. I can’t wait to get there tomorrow and hear that whistle go.

“I know what to expect. I’ve spoken to the players, I’ve spoken to the fans out and about and we’re all really looking forward to it.

“It’s not going to be a shock to me. I’ve played in big games before and big atmospheres and I know it’s going to be a good one.

“We’ve got passionate fans and I love our fans. For me, the experience of them already at Kilmarnock, they were fantastic and to have two or three thousand [at Tynecastle] is only positive for us.

“The atmosphere between the two sets of fans is going to be electric and I’m sure it’s going to be a great game but ultimately it’s 90-plus minutes of football and at the end of it, normally, the best team wins.”

Since arriving from Australia, Montgomery has rejuvenated the team’s attack and toughened them up in defence but he said that with the fixtures coming thick and fast he hasnt’ had a lot of time on the training ground to really bed in his ideas.

After a full week to prepare for the trip to Tynecastle, he is in positive mood and says the players have been taking on board how he wants them to perform, and everyone is feeling positive ahead of a huge game.

“It’s been quite relaxed around the training ground this week,” he said. “It’s only the second full week we’ve had on the training ground (without midweek games).

“This week’s been an opportunity to lead in, prepare and focusing on tomorrow’s game. Of course there’s been a little more conversation about the game and we’re looking forward to it.

“I think it’s been clear for everyone to see. The players have been really receptive to it and if you talk about going to watch Hibs I think the playing style is there to see.

“We’ve been creating a lot of chances. Last weekend, unfortunately, we couldn’t quite find the winning goal but the fans have been fantastic and the players receptive and all we’re focusing on is tomorrow.”