Craig Gordon says it’s all about handling the occasion ahead of Sunday’s Edinburgh Derby.
Both sides come into the match in positive spirits, having picked up victories in midweek and the stopper admits there’s no playing down the importance of the fixture for both sides and their season objectives.
Speaking to the media at the pre-match press conference, he said:
“Both clubs are on good runs, in good form coming into this one. It's a bit different from the last time, but I think both teams have turned things around.
“A few new players, especially in terms of us who came in in January and lifted everything. There's good optimism on both sides going into this one.
“It's a big game. That puts the added pressure on it. For both teams, it's getting towards that end of the season. Games are running out.
“With the top six only a few fixtures away, it's an important one for both teams. So, yes, looking forward to it. It's games like this between now and the end of the season that are going to determine where we finish.
“We've got ourselves back within touching distance. We still have a bit to go. We're still playing catch-up on where we want to be, but we're slowly building ourselves back into a position where we can challenge.
“So, we go there with the confidence in our own play and what we can do to try and hurt Hibs. So, we'll go there with our game plan and try and stick to that and try and come out with the right result.
“It’s a huge game. And whoever handles that the best will give themselves a great chance of coming out with the right result. With things now being a lot closer at the other end of the table rather than fighting for relegation, it's certainly a different mindset going into it. But yes, it's still a pressure situation for everybody. The three points are going to be vital in the run-in. So yes, it's a big game for everyone.
“You only really enjoy them once you've won them and look back with a sense of accomplishment. The lead-up to them is always big, no matter what the situation. It was big last time because we were both at the bottom end of the table.
“It's big this time because we're both chasing the top six and European football. There's always something attached to one of these games. Even if there wasn't, it would still be big because it's the Derby.
“You get used to that and dealing with that and all the noise that goes around these games. It's about controlling your emotions and being able to go out there and still carry out the game plan to try and win it.”
You can watch Craig’s press conference in full on Hearts TV.
