Every word from David Marshall Hibs Q&A ahead of Hearts

What was your first Edinburgh derby like?

“I didn’t know about it [before I joined Hibs] because I hadn’t played in it or been to one but the passion is special. It’s a big derby.

“The one at the end of last season at Tynecastle, emotions spilled over at the end - in the last game of the season that can happen.

“But we know how much it means. It’s been a powder keg fixture so it’s a great advert for Scotland because there are two massive rivalries and the fans add to that. I’m looking forward to this one.”

Passion is a key part, isn’t it?

“Of course. I think the fans make it. The large travelling support that both clubs allow makes it.

“When Élie Youan scored two goals in a minute in the last derby you could see how much it means to everyone so to have that full backing from the away support adds to it. It’s emotional, the atmosphere is electric. The players want to play in those games and have the rivalry there so it’s a huge game for the city and for Scottish football.”

How does it compare to other derbies you’ve played in?

“It feels every bit as big as the others. It makes no difference to a fan the numbers in the stadium or where you’re from. We watched the Norwich-Ipswich game last week and you can see how much it means and how important they are.

“At the moment, Hibs and Hearts are relatively close in the league so it means a hell of a lot. 

"There’s no difference in passion between an Old Firm, or Swansea-Cardiff, or Norwich-Ipswich. It means just as much to the fans and players.”

Do the festive derbies take on more of an edge, with the chance to end the year on a high?

“I think so - the New Year games always seem to bring that extra buzz around the place. We’ve put ourselves in a position where it’s important that we keep going. 

"We dropped some points at the start of the season but we’ve done our best to try to make that up and these fixtures can help that and set us up for the second half of the season.”

You’re three unbeaten in derbies now, is the pendulum swinging?

“We need to win games. It’s a home game so it would be nice to go out there and win but we’ve had two in a row at Tynecastle.

“We won 1-0 at Easter Road and had the two draws, and the draw on the last day of the season suited Hearts more. Because it’s our home game we know the onus is on us to go and win the game. 

"We know how good Hearts have been; they seem to have picked up recently and had a huge result at Celtic Park but when they come to Easter Road, we want to put our stamp on the game.”

What have you made of your former Scotland team-mate Steven Naismith in his first management role?

“The derby was his first game in charge last season and he never had much chance to change. But it’s difficult; every manager is under pressure. You can go from being under pressure one week to high as a kite the next.

“It’s good that young, Scottish coaches are getting a chance - I know from working alongside him with Scotland how much Stevie was looking forward to making the step into coaching. Unfortunately, we’re on opposite sides of the city but I think he’ll do well. 

"He’s trying to put his stamp on the team which is difficult after Robbie Neilson had a relatively successful time getting the club to Europe and finishing third so I think it’s the most difficult job in football. Everybody says people need time to put their stamp on the role but it’s whether you get that or not.”

Is he the same on the touchline as he was during his playing career?

“Aye, really annoying! As a team-mate, he was someone you wanted on your team but I can tell when the Hibs fans get wound up. It’s football and the way he was on the pitch, he was a pest, he was a winner, he was a hard worker and someone you wanted on your team.

"He’s taken that into the managerial and coaching side of things but he’s on the other side of the fence now so I hope it doesn’t go too well for him!”

Have you been surprised by Craig Gordon’s drive to get back playing?

“No, not at all. The age factor and the injury happening when it did is difficult so you’ve always got that question mark. But if anyone was going to pick someone to come back from something like that, it would be Craig. 

"I think he’s been in three or four match day squads now and he’s played a couple of bounce games. That’s huge for him, huge to get back, and I’m sure he’ll be doing his best to get back playing with the Euros coming up in the summer.”

Do you take inspiration from that? How long would you want to go on playing for?

“I’ve not overly thought about it. There’s been a lot happening at Hibs with the change in manager. I just want to keep the form going. If we can play well, and I need to keep playing well, that’s the most important thing. I’ve not really thought about the future.”

Is your recent form as good as it's ever been?

“I’ve been happy with my form since the manager changed. I can’t lie, it’s been better, and I’ve been happy with that. But a season is a long time. I just need to keep it going.  The gaffer, with the way he plays, puts a lot of onus on goalkeeping and the build-up and what he asks from the goalkeeper. I’ve enjoyed that and been happy with that and I just need to keep it going.”

How has your role changed?

“We’re heavily involved in the build-up. We’re looked upon as starting attacks, so we need to make the right decisions. We’re always involved in the play and even though you’re a long way from the front players you’re trying to drag people out to try to get some overloads and make the correct pass so you can get Martin Boyle, Élie Youan, and Jair Tavares on the ball and give Dylan Vente a bit of space.

“We’re seen as the first point of attack and every goal kick is seen as a chance to stamp our authority on the game. But it’s been good. You’re constantly involved, even in training Monday to Friday you feel as if you’re constantly involved and I’ve really enjoyed it since Nick came in.”

Is that new for you, a different role?

“It’s the most detailed it’s been. When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came in at Cardiff things changed quite a bit. We went from Malky Mackay to Ole and there was more onus then on a more attacking style. Marco Silva at Hull was similar. But this is probably the most detailed it’s been.”

You see some hairy moments down south - we saw that with Dylan Levitt against St Johnstone. Does that add pressure?

“There’s always pressure but I don’t think we feel it because the manager demands it. Dylan, in the first half against St Johnstone, was the best player on the pitch. He controlled the game, his passing was excellent, and he probably tried to play that pass because his confidence was so high. We’re not going to come in the dressing room if someone makes a bad pass or an honest mistake and have a go at them, because they’ll do more good than bad over the course of the season.

“So the manager is fine with that, we as players accept it because it’s for the greater good, and throughout the season it will help us. The pressure’s there, you have to take it, but the manager demands it. You need to take the ball in these situations because that’s the way we play.”

What did you make of the Scotland draw?

“Aye, a good draw. To get the opener is fantastic. I remember when we opened against Brazil in France in 1998 so it’s fantastic to do that. I was thinking how important it is in the first game, to try to take something from it, and then Germany came out of the hat! 

"So obviously it’s tough but I think the boys can be confident in terms of how they’ve done in the last couple of years. They’ve kicked on and some of the boys playing down south are in really good form so the confidence will be there and hopefully they can get something in that first game.

“Some of the third places go through as well so you’ve potentially got that as well. Hopefully they can be the first Scotland team to get out of the groups.”

You haven’t had any thoughts about the summer, given your current form…?

“No, not at all. I’m just going to keep playing away here. The lads have been in there, Angus [Gunn] has stepped in and been great. It was great, I enjoyed it, but full focus is on Hibs.

“Injuries are obviously a different kettle of fish. If that happens, it happens, but Craig [Gordon] is back fit, and Zander [Clark] has been there and been good for Hearts over the last 18 months so I’m sure they’ll be fine.

“I’m hoping to go [as a fan], but I need to try to dig some tickets up. It’s not as easy as you think. I’ll maybe drop John McGinn a text and tell him he’s due me a couple after we let Aston Villa beat us! I’d like to go and take the kids and be on the other side of it.”