After the hugely impressive win over Falkirk, Hearts’ full focus turns to a Saturday evening blockbuster against Hibs at Tynecastle.

Derek McInnes and his players could hardly go into this opening derby of the season in better form.

The only Premiership blip was the 3-3 draw at home to Motherwell, but the manner in which Hearts salvaged a point was from three down with less than half an hour to play showed admirable fighting spirit.

This derby has extra significance for a number of reasons. Hearts have won only one of the past eight matches against their city rivals, and their last victory over Hibs at Tynecastle was almost three years ago.

But with the team now flying high at the top of the table and playing arguably the best style of football the fans have witnessed for years, there is much more expectancy now from the stands.

The club have invested heavily in the squad and that is paying dividends early on.

For some of this squad, Saturday will be their first experience of the Edinburgh derby and the importance it carries for everyone at the club.

There are plenty of staff, however, who have been at Tynecastle long enough to ensure there will be no surprises about what to expect.

Gary Locke played in 13 of these matches and never tasted defeat. It would be no surprise if Derek McInnes drafts Locke into the dressing room before Saturday evening’s match.

The players will be left in no doubt about what it takes to be a winner in an Edinburgh derby.