Hibs hero sees Hearts title factor impacting Easter Road season as players park issue '100%' on fans' minds

A Hibs hero believes the club’s season has Hearts’ title push to thank for the hints of negativity surrounding it - but admits that will become redundant on derby day.

Mixu Paatelainen is most fondly remembered by fans for his hat-trick in a 6-2 Edinburgh derby thumping over 25 years ago and remains in the city as Spartans’ sporting director. Focus is on their League Two title push but he has been keeping a close eye on his former side in Leith as they strive for European placement on Premiership business.

Fifth-placed Hibs are three points behind Motherwell in fourth, the final guaranteed European qualifier spot, although where they sit currently could become a continental position if Celtic win the Scottish Cup. Head coach David Gray will not be keen to take chances, and there’s added incentive in the stands for the latest derby this Sunday as Hearts go into it top of the league with five games to go. Ex-striker and boss Paatelainen reckons a desire to wreck Jambos title dreams will play its part in motivation for Sunday’s game, at least in the stands. On the pitch, it becomes less relevant.

Can Hibs wreck Hearts title charge?

“I think that's secondary,” Paatelainen told the Evening News. “I think that plays in Hibs supporters' minds 100 per cent. That is in Hibs mind that you can do damage to their title hopes, absolutely, but I think that's secondary. The first and the most important thing is to win the Edinburgh derby.

“By winning the Edinburgh derby, that's the first thing, and that's the most important thing. Hibs have done it this season already. I can't see why they can’t repeat it. Many fans would like Hibs to be higher in the league table. That's probably because Hearts have done so well this season. It is hurting to Hibs fans to see Hearts doing so well. There's no question about that. That obviously makes supporters demand more from Hibs because you don't want to be playing second fiddle in Edinburgh. I think that has brought in a certain level of negativity.”

With a derby win already savoured at Easter Road, where Hibs are unbeaten against Hearts since December 2023, Paatelainen takes an optimistic outlook on the season so far under Gray. He recognises that the club have spent big in their ambition to recapture success like 2024/25’s third place finish, like a record-breaking deal to land striker Thibault Klidje now out on loan at Randers, and consistency has been found amongst it. Now he hopes to see Hibs continue moving upwards.

“Obviously, last season was amazing after the change of formation,” explained the ex-striker. “Hibs were fantastic in the second half of the season. This season has been more consistent. Been in top six all the time. All in all, comfortably in the top six, fighting for the European places. I think at this moment, it's been good. Obviously next season, hopefully, it’ll be higher again.

How have Hibs performed this season?

“It's been a very consistent season in terms of being in the top six instead of last season, starting poorly, and finishing brilliantly. I think I can see development from that but I also realise that there's been a lot of investment in terms of bringing in players. A lot of money has changed hands, wages and transfer fees, things like that. So from that respect, maybe next season when those players have found their place at Hibs and they feel comfortable playing for the club, hopefully they perform better. Then Hibs are higher in the league table.”

It is Gray’s second campaign as the permanent head coach - already a club legend namely for his match-winning contribution in the 2016 Scottish Cup final win over Rangers - having served as caretaker previously. While not perfect, Hibs have had a comfortable season. Second albums are notoriously difficult in Scottish football after a breakthrough success, see Barry Robson at Aberdeen or Steven Naismith with Hearts for recent examples, and Paatelainen is impressed by Gray’s ability to steady his ship.

“I think it's great,” added Paatelainen. “I think it's a sign of development. David is only his second year as a manager. So it's developing all the time. Every season you learn something. Every season you are better equipped, and sometimes to be an all-round manager, you will be in relegation battles.

“You will be bottom of the table, you will be top of the table. All these things add ammunition, add armoury, to the manager's knowledge. David has developed a lot this season and he's learned a lot. Keeping the club so consistent in the top six has been great and he'll learn from that. Hopefully he takes a lot for the next season for Hibs to be even higher.”