The first British club in Europe, the first Scottish club to carry a sponsor on their shirts, and one of the first clubs to install floodlights at their ground. Hibs have always fancied themselves as one of the great innovators in footballing history, so their latest venture doesn't come across as a surprise.

The Easter Road side have linked up with Sky Sports ahead of this month's Edinburgh derby to provide 'access all areas' footage of the hotly-anticipated clash, with head coach Nick Montgomery mic'd up during the match and giving interviews to the commentary team while play is going on. His right-hand man Sérgio Raimundo will wear a bodycam to give a first-person view of the action from the technical area, and there will also be cameras in the dressing room before the game, during the half-time break, and at full-time.   

The broadcaster will also provide a pre-match interview with Montgomery in his stadium office. Cameras will have access to the dressing room with a Hibs player speaking during his match preparation. 

Hearts have agreed to a 'number of activations' as part of the coverage, with Sky Sports granted access to the team hotel and a player wearing a bodycam during the pre-match warm-up. 

While the idea itself isn't new - Sky Sports gave the League One clash between Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth last season the same treatment (footage below) with the meeting dubbed the 'innovation game' - it is the first time a Scottish game will get largely unfettered access during a game and the derby is expected to have a few more bells and whistles compared to last year's effort.

 Sky Sports director of football Gary Hughes said: "We strive to be at the forefront of innovation and continue to explore new ways we can allow fans to get closer to the action with our coverage. We are so pleased to have been able to work alongside Hibs, Hearts and the SPFL, with a joint ambition to tell the story of this hugely competitive derby to our audience in a new and exciting way.”

SPFL chief Neil Doncaster added: “We’re pleased to have been able to work with both clubs and Sky Sports to showcase their latest broadcasting innovations, helping put supporters right at the heart of the action in the Edinburgh derby. It promises to be a cracking game and we’re excited to see how the technology brings the match experience even closer for viewing fans."

Perhaps unsurprisingly there has been a mixed response from supporters, with some embracing the idea and others vehemently against it - particularly for a match of such high importance to both teams. It is worth pointing out, however, that based on the Wycombe-Portsmouth game, the dressing-room footage will be non-audio and even though Montgomery is mic'd up, it won't be a constant stream of his coaching but rather snippets here and there. 

Hibs Observer:

Curiously, the game also marks the first time that Hibs have been shown live on Sky Sports this season, and the first derby in five that has been chosen by the broadcaster. Speaking ahead of October's 2-2 draw at Tynecastle in which two Élie Youan goals in the space of 90 seconds earned Hibs a share of the points, Montgomery expressed his surprise that the showdown wouldn't be screened.

“I can’t understand why this wouldn’t be on the telly. You’re talking about a worldwide audience of people who would want to watch this Edinburgh derby," he said. “It’s disappointing for us as a club. I’m sure Hearts are the same and for the supporters - not just the ones here, but the ones around the world who follow their team and love watching big derbies. Every game in Australia is televised. There would be a lot of build-up going into it. I’m surprised it’s not on TV. A lot of people are going to miss out."

Hibs' head of communications Adam Tomlinson has been heavily involved in the planning process for the game and said: "It’s been magnificent to work with Sky Sports over the last few months as we aim to give supporters an extra insight into a Hibernian FC matchday and our coaching staff.

“As a club, we pride ourselves on being pioneers in the Scottish game and we will reaffirm that through several broadcasting innovations on the 27th."

Anything that seeks to enhance the matchday coverage should be seen as a positive thing, and a festive derby should certainly produce the goods on the park. The interesting aspect is that Sky Sports are keen to build on their 'innovation game' from Adams Park in December last year. Hibs left-back Jordan Obita, who played in the first innovation game, will be well-placed to compare the two.

A 24-minute highlights video released by the English Football League is a decent, if not jaw-dropping watch, and given the sort of behind-the-scenes coverage available from other sports and indeed other football leagues around the world, it does seem a little flat. But then there isn't a rivalry dating back more than 100 years between the Chair Boys and Pompey so perhaps that had an impact. 

The fixture is always feisty, even if the football isn't first-rate. But this may also be a chance for Sky Sports to mend some bridges with Scottish football fans. It is, after all, the season of goodwill.