Miller and Hibs aiming to turn Edinburgh green

FOR Hibernian fans, an unhappy new year was spent marooned behind enemy lines as three quarters of Tynecastle partied amid a 3-0 demolition derby win for Hearts. Four months on from that dispiriting loss, Lee Johnson’s men return to Gorgie this lunchtime with the aim of turning the entire city of Edinburgh green. Victory at Tynecastle will clinch fourth place and guarantee European football at the expense of their old rivals. Being crowned the premier team in the capital this season would be a far cry from January 2, when Johnson declared himself ‘sick to death of mediocrity’ as troubled Hibs crashed to a ninth defeat in 11 matches against a Hearts side seemingly coasting to third place. But an Easter Road revival has coincided with a Hearts form slump which has already cost Robbie Neilson his job and the club a third-place finish behind Aberdeen. Now Hibs travel across the capital aiming to make a difficult second half of the season even worse for their rivals in maroon. ‘We want to turn Edinburgh green,’ declared Easter Road right-back Lewis Miller. ‘Hearts have been doing quite well but we are turning heads now. ‘We are ready to overtake them in the table and hopefully with European football as well. ‘I trust this team and the ability we have. We are ready for the next stage and the next level. ‘We want to do everything for the fans. We wouldn’t be here without them. We are going to do whatever we can to impress them. ‘The better we play, the better we feel and the better the fans feel.’ Hibs enter today’s match with the brimming levels of confidence that come with beating champions Celtic 4-2 in Leith on Wednesday. In the aftermath of that victory over Ange Postecoglou’s side, Miller was blown away by the post-match rendition of Sunshine on Leith. It was the same when the highlyrated 22-year-old Australian (right) came on as a late substitute when Hibs beat Hearts 1-0 at Easter Road last month courtesy of a Kevin Nisbet goal. Now he hopes to taste a derby win at Tynecastle. ‘Aw man, that song Sunshine on Leith gives you shivers,’ said a smiling Miller. ‘It’s one of the best songs

I’ve ever heard. After the Celtic game, I could not sleep for thinking about it! You couldn’t write it any better going into this derby after beating Celtic at home. It’s exactly what we needed. Confidence is sky high. ‘We all believe we can beat anyone. If you watched us the last couple of weeks, we are on the rise. ‘We went through a transition stage mid-season that never went too well but now we have flipped the switch and we are going up and up. ‘I came on in the last game against Hearts and it was the first time I had played them. But that was only for 10 minutes or so. ‘It’s the gaffer’s decision if I play. But I will give 110 per cent. I’m Hibs, so I’ve got to beat Hearts — it’s written in the rules, isn’t it?’ Hearts boast a strong Australian contingent in Cammy Devlin, Nathaniel Atkinson, Kye Rowles and Garang Kuol. But Miller is hoping victory can help further press his case to join the Socceroos ahead of a summer friendly date with Lionel Messi’s World Cup-winning Argentina in Beijing on June 15. He said: ‘That would be unreal. Me versus Messi? ‘Do I have an outside chance? It’s tough. I know the Australia coach, Graham Arnold, looks at game time, so if you’re playing week in week out that helps. ‘That’s been a bit difficult but I’m easing in now and hopefully I’m in his eyes. I’ll give it all I’ve got. ‘I know Rowles and Garang. I played with them at Central Coast Mariners and I’ve played against Devlin and Atkinson. I caught up with those guys when I first came over to Scotland to see some familiar faces. ‘I’m looking forward to the derby. Back in Australia, the Central Coast Mariners’ derby was against Newcastle Jets. You get a decent crowd but nothing like the Edinburgh derby. And people in Scottish football are all twice the size. They are all bodybuilders as well. ‘Cammy Devlin is not a bodybuilder, but he covers a lot of distance and he’s a good player. ‘The Australian boys at Hearts are all quality. That’s why we are all overseas, because we all want to get to the next level.’