Hibs manager Paul Heckingbottom believes it’s important for Hibs to finish above Hearts because it’s important to the fans.
The Hibees leapfrogged their rivals in the table after two Daryl Horgan goals saw them come from behind to win at Tynecastle for the first time in six years.
Heckingbottom remains unbeaten in the league since taking over at Easter Road , and is now targeting a European spot if results elsewhere between now and the end of the season go for his team.
“It matters to me because it matters to so many people,” he said. “My aim is to finish as high as possible but, yes, that goes hand in hand with trying to finish above Hearts.
“I put myself back to being a fan and no matter who you support, finishing above your rivals is important.
“If you ask any of those fans who were celebrating at the end of the game ‘do you want to finish above Hearts?’ they are going to say yes.
“Is Europe a goal? Yes. But whether we get there or not - we’ll see. But we will certainly try, because we want to win every game.
“The problem is that we have handicapped ourselves so much nine or ten games ago so it’s still a long way away.
“We still have to play the teams around us and we’ll need results to go our way and continue this type of form to get there, but we’ll try.”
And did Heckingbottom expect to take 20 points from an available 24 after taking the job? “Of course I expected this!” He joked.
“No, you hope for it, of course you do. Honestly, I would have snapped your hand off to just say we got top six assured with a game left.
“Most people involved with Hibs would have. It is a credit to the hard work and performances of the players that we are in the position.
“Now we have the teams around us in the next five games - let’s see where we end up.”
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