Stephane Omeonga: Why it's all about Hibs, not Hearts, and how I'll cement spot in first team

Stephane Omeonga celebrates his goal for Hibs against Inverness. Pic: SNS

Stephane Omeonga will focus on Hibs’ needs rather than piling more league misery on Capital rivals Hearts when the two teams meet in tomorrow night’s Edinburgh derby.

The Jambos are marooned at the foot of the Premiership table, two points adrift of second-bottom Hamilton and six away from climbing out of the danger zone.

But while acknowledging the Easter Road support would like to see Jack Ross’ players add to the Tynecastle outfit’s problems, Omeonga insisted he and his team-mates have eyes only on clinching a Europa League spot.

And having passed up the opportunity to overhaul Livingston and close in on Motherwell and Aberdeen on their last league outing, the Belgian midfielder insisted Hibs are intent on no further slip-ups.

“We are on a good run at the moment,” said the 23-year-old of Hibs’ recent record of just one defeat in their last 11 matches, “And we want to keep it going. We had a good chance to get closer to where we wanted to be but drew against Livingston.

“It was a point but we are looking to get closer and closer to where we want to be.”

Omeonga, who enjoyed a victory in Gorgie in his first derby followed by a draw with Hearts a few weeks later at Easter Road, is intent on keeping his unbeaten record tomorrow night and although he acknowledged Daniel Stendel’s players will arrive buoyed by their Scottish Cup win over Rangers, he pointed out that Hibs are equally confident.

One of five different scorers with his first Hibs goal in his second spell at the club as Ross’ side became the first to book their Scottish Cup semi-final place with a 5-2 win over Inverness Caley on Friday night, the 23-year-old said: “Tomorrow night is a massive game.

“The magical thing about a derby is it does not matter where the teams stand in the table, the derby is just a game you have to win more than any other.

“We don’t care that they are fighting relegation, we were fighting for Europe so the three points are very important for us. I know the fans would like to see us put Hearts in more trouble, but we are only concerned about our own ambitions.”

Omeonga hopes his goal against Caley might help persuade Ross to hand him a starting berth in the derby after spending the past few weeks on the bench, but he insisted Hibs’ improving form is based on a strong squad.

He said: “I was really happy with my goal, the first one is always special. One of the first things I said when I came back was I had some unfinished business - that’s what I meant.

“Having five different scorers on the night shows how good we are at creating chances and the rotation in the squad with players coming off the bench and contributing.

“We have a good squad and making the semi-finals of the cup is a big thing for everyone connected with the club. I think we can bring something special.

“Like any player you are frustrated when you are not playing, everyone wants to be on the pitch for every game. But the manager knows what he is doing, the boys are doing well and I understand the situation.

“I will just work hard. When I came back I said I wanted to fight for a spot, so I will just keep fighting.”