Battle fever has kicked in. And I’m not even playing any more!
There’s no disguising it, the five day frenzy ahead of the Edinburgh derby has well and truly arrived just like when I was pulling on that Hearts shirt.
Nerves, adrenaline, butterflies .. I’d be buzzing out my nut for the weekend even on the Monday.
It’s the chance to grab bragging rights, to prove who is king of the castle in Edinburgh footballing terms.
But the big difference this time? The fact there’s two derbies of such magnitude back to back offers Hearts the opportunity to absolutely bury Hibs ’ season once and for all.
The chance to all but secure third place and consign Hibs to the bottom six. Then seven days later the chance to reach the Scottish Cup Final and deprive their arch rivals in the process.
Hold me back! What more could a Jambo possibly ask for?
It’s a unique situation. Win these next two games and these Hearts players will go down in history.
Win them both then lift the Scottish Cup? They’d be Tynecastle legends and I’d be demanding a statue of Robbie Neilson.
Listen I’ve got way ahead of myself here but it’s hard not to in the build-up to derby day. I fancy Hearts strongly in Gorgie this weekend even if you can’t ever write any side off in this fixture.
Hearts have proved over the season that they are a good team with top class players in important positions.
Look at Craig Gordon AGAIN showing his worth with yet another worldie save at the weekend. Craig Halkett I have sung the praises of all season.
Liam Boyce is such an intelligent striker and if half a chance falls to him I’d fancy him to bury it.
Then there’s Barrie McKay with his assists, his ability to open up the defence in the blink of an eye and now the goals with two in his last two games.
If the big players step up then then I can’t see past Hearts and if they can inflict damage this weekend I think it would have a massive bearing on the semi final because Hibs are so fragile.
Shaun Maloney’s side would be rattled ahead of the trip to Hampden.
Conversely, if Hearts were to lose on Saturday I don’t think it would affect them at all because they have shown they have strong mentalities and have bounced back from setbacks well this season.
As I said having two derbies of such importance in the space of a week is a unique situation. It’s crazy to say but they are two games which will define Hearts’ season even though they have been unbelievable up to this point.
Hearts are stronger across the park and that’s what they need to remember. I’m actually a bit envious of these guys getting this opportunity because I certainly never had two such important derbies in such close proximity.
I enjoyed plenty of clashes with Hibs - and plenty of wins - though so I know exactly what it takes to come out on top.
I remember standing in the Tynecastle tunnel just before running out for my first home derby and you could hear the crowd, it was deafening.
It was live on TV and I just thought, ‘I was born for this, bring it on’. We won 2-1.
That’s what it’s all about. Pumping the chest out and proving who’s number one in the city.
Yet for all the bluster it’s absolutely crucial that the coaching staff try and keep a lid on it. Even if it might be easier holding back wild horses.
There’s so much nervous energy about the place that you don’t want guys blowing out before the game even kicks off.
Whoever plays the game and not the occasion stands a better chance. Both games have been so close this season - both goalless - that it could very well come down to one pivotal moment and that’s why you need to have your wits about you.
I remember getting carried away with it in the new year derby in 2013. I got caught up in the moment and after a heavy touch lunged in on James McPake who was lucky not to literally get carried away after I caught him on the shin.
I got a yellow from Willie Collum but that was quickly upgraded retrospectively and I ended up with a two-match ban.
Rash moments like that are too easy when the place is rocking, But they must be avoided or it could cost the side dearly, especially when the previous encounters have finished in stalemates.
Avoid those and have the big players step up and it should be a good weekend for Jambos and set them up nicely for the trip to Mount Florida and a shot at glory.
I was critical of Robbie and Hearts last season. I don’t think they took too kindly to some of what I said but it was honest opinion.
This time round it’s been incredible to watch. They deserve every credit.
They deserve to finish the season with silverware. And probably nobody more than Robbie.
Before all that though they must go out and prove they rule Edinburgh football by condemning Hibs to the bottom six and knocking them out at Hampden.
