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Attendance: 20,200
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Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 21
Dec 29, 2018 at 5.30pm UK
 
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Hearts boss Levein wants focus to be on football in Edinburgh derby

Hearts boss Levein wants focus to be on football in Edinburgh derby
© Reuters
The last meeting with Hibernian was marred by a number of off-field incidents.

Hearts boss Craig Levein hopes the Edinburgh derby against Hibernian on Saturday passes off without any unsavoury incidents.

When Hibs visited Tynecastle in the Ladbrokes Premiership on October 31, head coach Neil Lennon was struck by a coin thrown from the crowd as the home side had what would have been a stoppage-time winner disallowed, with the game finishing goalless.

Assistant referees David McGeachie and Frank Connor joined Lennon and Hearts goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal in being the victims of attacks from the stands and police later announced they had made five arrests, including one in connection with an assault on a match official.

Both clubs issued a joint statement which condemned "isolated events which marred an otherwise compelling fixture."

This time Levein is looking for the focus to be on the football.

He said: "I don't think it will be in the players' minds.

"We had a chat with the police earlier this week. I think they were being diligent and doing their jobs and I think we are all looking for the same thing, for all the action to be on the field and nowhere else, and touch wood that will be the case for tomorrow.

"We won't lose that atmosphere. I think that will still be there, for sure.

"The last game was about both teams so intent in competing and being seen to compete that the football stuff went out the window. We would have been better having an all-in wrestling match for 90 minutes.

"The last game was tense, the players felt it, and I think the team that can play the best will have a good chance of winning.

"I don't think either of the teams have played particularly well in recent matches so we will see what happens."

Levein, who is "slightly surprised" by the 5.30pm kick-off on a Saturday night, admitted life in the dugout is "difficult sometimes" as he contemplates another 90 minutes in front of Hibs supporters.

The former Hearts defender said: "I very rarely pay attention to what's going on behind me. I'm more interested in what's going on in front of me.

"Throughout the years I have tried my hardest not to engage with away supporters. I try not to as a rule and I will continue to do the same thing."

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Hearts manager Craig Levein pictured in 2017
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Championship Group
CCeltic550095306593
2RangersRangers531187325585
3Hearts513154421268
4Kilmarnock51224644256
5St Mirren51134652-647
6Dundee50144968-1942
Relegation Group
1Aberdeen54104852-448
2Hibernian52125259-746
3Motherwell52035659-343
4St Johnstone51132954-2535
5Ross County51223867-2935
RLivingston52122970-4125
 
First Phase
CCeltic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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