Exclusive: Hibs derby hero talks Tynecastle glory – and why Hearts topping table changes nothing for Easter Road side.
Exclusive: Hibs derby hero talks Tynecastle glory – and why Hearts topping table changes nothing for Easter Road side.
Australian defender Iredale describes his amazement and awe after his maiden capital battle experience.
Jack Iredale, winner of the Edinburgh Derby, joked about practicing wonder strikes in training as he prepared for this weekend’s trip to Gorgie.
And the Australian defender, who considers last season’s away success against Hearts to be one of his best experiences in football, insists the fact that their old rivals are top of the Scottish Premiership has no bearing on the visitors’ approach to a second consecutive Tynecastle victory.
Iredale’s magnificent strike to earn a 2-1 victory against Hearts at Easter Road in March was awarded PFA Scotland Goal of the Season and received the Sky Sports award in the same category.
The former Morton and Bolton centre-back, who was born in Scotland but reared in Australia, was praised by fans and peers alike for the brilliance of his goal, which saw him jump onto a bouncing ball and rocket a left-footed strike past Craig Gordon from the edge of the box.
Aussie defender scored stunner in derby win
However, the 29-year-old values last season’s Boxing Day victory at Tynecastle, his first and only experience playing at Hearts’ home ground, more than any individual glory moment.
And he’s looking forward to another career highlight against the current table toppers on Saturday at teatime.
Iredale said that the sheer size and scope of the fixture had taken him by surprise, saying: “Although I had played in Scotland and was familiar with Scottish football, I don’t think I really understood the magnitude of this game until I got on the pitch in that first derby. Then I thought to myself, ‘OK, wow, this is what it’s like…’
“It was one of the nicest memories I have from playing football in that first derby game, which we won 2-1. I plan to do something similar again this weekend. I’ve only been there once, and it was a fantastic day the last time.
Again, you know what to expect. It’s going to be a full week of preparation, and we’re all quite thrilled about it.” Hibs have gone unbeaten in their first six league games this season.
However, Hearts are in the spotlight after building up a two-point cushion on defending champions Celtic, with a little help from David Gray’s men keeping the Hoops to a goalless draw in Glasgow on Saturday– at the top of the table.
Iredale insisted that the stratospheric heights reached by Derek McInnes and his club did not influence the dynamic around this always-combustible fixture, saying: “You want to beat them no matter where they are. Nothing changes.
I believe that coming in after a strong performance helps to calm things down. But Derby Week takes care of itself, regardless of form or league place. It’s a completely unique game. One that we are also confident about.
“There’s a little extra energy and enthusiasm, but the message remains consistent. We want to win regardless of what game we are playing.
“We just have the added incentive of knowing how important this is to the supporters and the team.
We prioritise delivering for our clients since their satisfaction makes us pleased. And, yeah, I will practice on the volleys again this week! So let’s see what happens.
David Gray’s players taking individual responsibility
Gray’s men, who are third in the league in terms of goals scored, ahead of Celtic but behind Hearts and Dundee United, will undoubtedly pose a threat on the team bus as they travel across the city on Saturday.
And, while no one should get carried away with one game, keeping a clean sheet at Celtic Park last time out cannot damage confidence.
In the first-team dressing room at East Mains, there is a sense that Hibs are not far from hitting the heights they reached in the second half of last season, when they went unbeaten in 17 straight league games on their way to finishing third in the Scottish Premiership.
Just like last season, there has been a focus on players accepting responsibility for the flaws that, prior to Saturday’s draw, were leading them to surrender far too many goals.
“The first thing you’ve got to do is look yourself in the mirror and check yourself before you start pointing fingers,” Iredale told me.
“I believe we have a set of leaders who all want the same objective and are large and strong enough to accept responsibility and drag each other around when necessary.
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