It is the first capital derby of the season as the Jambos head coach comes up against new Hibees boss Nick Montgomery for the very first time at Tynecastle this afternoon.

Steven Naismith has outlined the key factors Hearts need to deal with in order to taste success against Hibs.

It is the first capital derby of the season as the Jambos head coach comes up against new Hibees boss Nick Montgomery for the very first time. Both clubs have found some form in recent weeks ahead of the Tynecastle meeting with the duo booking Viaplay Cup semi-final dates at Hampden – knowing both winning would set up a derby final.

Hearts have won their last two games on the road ahead of this one while Hibs are unbeaten in four games since Montgomery arrived as Lee Johnson’s successor from Central Coast Mariners. Naisy knows just how incredible the atmosphere will be in Gorgie as the whistle blows at 3pm this afternoon. He has outlined the challenges his team must overcome in order to claim victory and the bragging rights come 5pm tonight.

He explained: “It’s an exciting game. Both teams come into it having had a couple of good results in the cup. The first derby of the season is always a fantastic game to be involved in and hopefully it’s a game we can come out on top in.

“We’ve had a few things to navigate at the start of the season, being in Europe and the demand that has had on the schedule. For me, that has to be the aim for the future, and that we deal better with that than we have this season.

“Then we picked up a few injuries and those players were all heavily involved in our attacking play and that has been the part of our game that has been a bit stop-start. It’s either been really good, or it hasn’t quite clicked but we’re starting to pick up some positive results now.

“The two away wins last week was something we challenged the squad with as it has been an Achilles heel for a number of years and that is something that if we can improve, we can definitely be a successful team.

“First of all, dealing with the atmosphere and the occasion better than your opposition. I’m comfortable that the majority of our group have experienced it and understand what it is going to be like.

“The atmosphere is going to be incredible. It will be a full house with both sets of fans there, so it’s about dealing with that and then having the calmness during the game to stick to the game plan and get the better of your opposition.

“Those are the key factors. We prepare for every game in the same way. We do a lot of work with the video and on the training pitch so we’re not just thinking, we won last week so we’ll just do the same thing again. The game has moved on and so have the players in terms of their needs.”