McGrath: These Are The Games You Want To Be Involved In

Jamie McGrath has underlined the importance of Sunday’s Edinburgh Derby for Hibernian’s squad and supporters.

Head Coach David Gray’s Hibees are looking to respond to their defeat to Aberdeen by replicating our last display against Hearts on home turf, when Derek McInnes’ side make the short trip across the capital to Easter Road.

We sit fifth in the William Hill Premiership table, but only three points behind fourth-placed Motherwell going into the final five games of the season.

Our No17 spoke about the anticipation in the group as they seek to defeat the Jambos and boost their chances of qualifying for European football.

Speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference on Thursday, McGrath said: "I'm looking forward to a big game on Sunday.

“These are ones you look forward to in the calendar. It's a brilliant opportunity for us to kick-start the top six running. Obviously, it’s such a big game, a lot riding on it.

“As a player, these are the games you want to be involved in and the ones you look forward to at the end of the week.

“It’s obviously a big game for a lot of reasons. For us, it's the start of our last five games. We want to catch the team above us, and we have to make our home games count, and there's no better day to do it than on Sunday. 

“We've shown already this season that every [derby] game has been a very tight game. I'm sure the neutrals enjoy it, but for us, we're going in there hoping to come out the other side with three points.”

The midfielder, who provided a goal and assist as we defeated Hearts 3-2 in December, also believes the Edinburgh Derby is the biggest and most special derby he’s ever been involved in, as he recalled fondly his memories of the victory in Leith.

He added: “You come out, you feel the atmosphere, the warm-up, and even all week in training it gives you a little edge going into the game.

“We all have to be right on it from minute one. We have to start well like we did the last home game. If we do that, we will give ourselves a really good opportunity.

“By no means is it going to be an easy game. No Edinburgh derby ever is. We have to earn it on the day, and we will hopefully come out the other side with three points.

“We want to come in and try and pick up as many points in this period now to give ourselves the best chance of hopefully catching Motherwell, and we have Falkirk on our tails as well. 

“We'll have our homework done and will hopefully give ourselves the best chance going into Sunday and picking up points and attacking these last five games.

“We know what it means to the fans, so we've added pressure as well. I think it's the first big derby I've played in during my career.

“I've played in Dundalk vs Drogheda and Wigan vs Bolton, but this is definitely the biggest I've been involved in.

“It's drummed into you. No matter what you do, just make sure you come out on the right side of these results. There's a lot of noise around it. We know we have a good opportunity to go and hopefully take maximum points. 

“We know we'll have the full support behind us on Sunday. It's up to us to give them something to cheer about. We will try to approach it the same way as our last victory and go in with the same mindset of attacking the game from minute one and try get the fans right behind us.

“The fixture in December is my favourite memory so far, and hopefully we can do it again on Sunday.”