Robbie Neilson calls for Hearts derby intensity as boss admits lengthy Hibs preparations

Robbie Neilson featured in some electric Edinburgh derbies as a player, but he's preparing for an altogether more subdued atmosphere this weekend.

43,000 fans watched Neilson and his Hearts team-mates beat Hibs 4-0 in the 2006 Scottish Cup semi-final, but the atmosphere will be significantly diminished when they meet at the same stage in the same venue on Saturday.

With no fans in attendance this time around, the Tynecastle boss has spoken of the need to build intensity ahead of a crucial match.

He said: "The experience from that was keeping everyone calm, when you are travelling through and starting the warm-up, because you have such a massive crowd there.

(Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

"Whereas this season it's about building everyone up to make sure we are ready for it.

"Through the course of the week it's keeping everyone calm but once we get to Saturday morning, it's about being ready for the game and being up for it and making sure we start the game well.

"It comes internally from the players but also the team working together and the staff working with them and getting them prepared for the game.

"When you watched the Old Firm game it probably wasn't as intense as it has been previously, but that's just the nature of not having 50,000 people there. We just have to make sure we are ahead of Hibs."

Championship

Neilson, however, designed an 11-week pre-season schedule for his players with the semi-final in mind.

Asked if his players are prepared, he said: "I'm more than confident. It was the reason we came back so early.

"I came in the middle of June and we knew this game was coming. We weren't sure exactly when it would be but we knew it would be towards the start of the season, hence the reason I spoke to Ann about coming in a lot earlier.

(Ross Parker/SNS Group)

"Yes, it was to get off to a good start in the league but - to be honest - it was really to make sure we were ready for this game.

"We took 10 or 11 pre-season games so with the three Betfred Cup and two league games we are up at 15 or 16 already. So the players are in a good place.

"We actually came off it a wee bit this week just to make sure we are ready. So I don't have any qualms about it at all."

With the Premiership having kicked off two months earlier than the , Hibs have played 10 more games than Hearts so far this season.