Robbie Neilson insists Hearts’ 5-0 demolition of Aberdeen means NOTHING in comparison to a Scottish Cup Edinburgh derby this weekend.
The Jambos blew away the team that many felt would be their main rivals for third with a ruthless display under the lights in Gorgie. Two Josh Ginnelly goals sandwiched strikes from Michael Smith and Lawrence Shankland in the first half before Cammy Devlin’s first home goal in maroon made it five.
There were further chances for more goals, and the Dons saw a late consolation ruled out after a VAR check. The points moved Hearts nine clear of Aberdeen in third, with Livingston seven points off the pace in fourth. But Neilson isn't even thinking about back-to-back third place finishes with Hibs on the horizon. Lee Johnson’s team were on the end of a comprehensive defeat in Gorgie just two-and-a-half weeks ago. But Neilson knows heading to Leith won't be so straight forward.
“At Tynecastle when you’re under the lights and you're on that front foot, you can feel it and you;ve got to keep pushing it,” he said. “Every sub we brought on was to give us more and give us more and try to get the next goal.
“Look, we’re delighted with the result but ultimately, it means nothing. Sunday is the most important thing for us this season. It’s the Scottish Cup. A derby away from home. We need to go and win it.
“It’s a tough game. People will look at our result tonight and Hibs’ recent results and think we’re going to go there and control the game. It’s a totally different game in a derby. I’ve played in loads, managed loads; going down there is always difficult. We have to be at it. We have to be doubly aggressive as we were tonight.”
Hearts are now nine points clear of Aberdeen in the race for third, with Livingston nestled in between, just two points better off than the Dons. Neilson isn’t looking out his passport just yet, but knows if they keep winning then his team will be hard to catch.
“When you play at Hearts, you have to win every game,” he told BBC Scotland. “No matter who you;re playing, home or away.
“All we can look at is the next game which is the cup. Then after we that we then go on to the league campaign again and keep winning, keep winning and keep winning. If we do that, then we’ll be comfortable.”
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