Hearts' Ross Callachan enjoying silence from Hibs mates

Ross Callachan was delighted with Hearts' derby win over Hibs

The midfielder has endured taunts since joining his boyhood idols last August as a result of Hibs’ progress this season.

However, when he went in search of retribution in midweek, he found not many were around to listen.

“It’s just part of it, a lot of my mates are Hibs fans and they are constantly at me and I am back at them giving them a bit as well,” he said.

“You just need to take it when you’re getting it, and give it out when you can. A lot of them have been quiet the last couple of days, I don’t know where they have been.”

Hibs remain 17 points ahead of their Edinburgh rivals entering this weekend’s final round of Premiership fixtures. Callachan is convinced Hearts will not be adrift next season.

“Beating them gives us the bragging rights over the summer and it’s probably the best we have played against Hibs this season.

“It just shows we can go and do it in the bigger games. I think we can close the gap next season, we need to start the season well.

“The manager will have a full pre-season to get over his own way of doing things, which he obviously never had last summer. So if we can start the season better it will give us our best chance.”

Callachan is one of just 12 Hearts outfield players fit for tomorrow’s trip to Kilmarnock. “I might still not get a game!” he joked. “I’ve never known anything like this, but it gives the younger boys a chance and hopefully a few will get their first-team debuts.

“A few of them are ready and some aren’t as ready as others, but people develop at different ages.”