Robbie Neilson is trying ahead to a reunion with outdated pal Lee Johnson - however plans to reach champagne in hand once they meet once more this weekend.
The Hearts and Hibs bosses are former Tynecastle team-mates nevertheless it's been radio silence since Johnson took the reins at Easter Highway in Could. There is not any animosity between the pair, only a laser give attention to the duty at hand.
And on Sunday that is securing three factors in a hotly-anticipated first Edinburgh derby of the marketing campaign. The Jambos are scorching favourites following a troublesome begin to the season for his or her metropolis rivals, though Hibs did open their Premiership account with a dramatic late win over St Johnstone final weekend. Hearts, too, made a profitable begin in opposition to Ross County and Neilson insists he'll be placing friendships apart in a bid to make it six from six, solely then will he pop in to go to his capital counterpart.
Neilson advised the Edinburgh Night Information : “Simply after Lee took the job we had a wee textual content again and ahead. I haven’t spoken to him or texted him for some time now.
“When you get into the video games you might be busy on a regular basis and also you don’t actually get an opportunity. I'll see him after the sport on Sunday.
“Once you go into these video games, friendships and all that stuff goes out of the window. It’s about ensuring we win the sport for Hearts. I'll in all probability pop in and see them at full-time – hopefully with the champagne.
“Hibs are a great group with a variety of new gamers. As ever, you go right into a derby and the type of the final 5 - 6 video games goes out of the window. We're away from residence and wish to ensure we're at it to get a consequence.”
Neilson revealed key man Stephen Kingsley is his facet's solely harm fear forward of the fixture, with the defender being out of coaching all week. The Hearts supervisor admits it is "contact and go" for the 28-year-old - however Cammy Devlin is able to begin.
Neilson stated: “Devlin is ok, Ginnelly is again in full coaching and the remainder of them are good. Stephen remains to be touch-and-go. It’s only a case of deciding what one of the best group is."