Hibs cause cannot be downplayed but this Edinburgh derby is huge for Hearts as Rangers and Celtic lurk

This is no ordinary week for Derek McInnes’ Jam Tarts, whose lead at the top has been whittled down to three points by Rangers. Capital rivals Hibs hot-foot it from Leith to Gorgie for the third Edinburgh derby of the campaign on Tuesday night – and then Hearts head to Ibrox to face their nearest challengers in the race for the title.

Hearts’ performance against St Mirren was insufficient. Even before they lost Craig Halkett to a red card – their third in five matches – there were warning signs of a difficult evening. The team have struggled in Paisley twice already this season and eventually resistance with ten men broke when Miguel Freckleton headed home with a few minutes to spare.

Hibs are one of two other teams to have scalped Hearts. The Christmas encounter at Easter Road saw the hosts go 3-0 up by 48 minutes and the visitors were in danger of taking a real hiding. To their credit, they rallied and so nearly forced a point. Only a couple of smart saves from Raphael Sallinger kept the score at 3-2 in the Hibees’ favour.

After a difficult couple weeks in which they lost 1-0 to Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup and then 4-1 to Falkirk in the league, Hibs have regrouped. A draw with Rangers and a stoppage-time win over Dundee United, as well as a slew of signings in the final days of the transfer window, have breathed optimism back into the green-and-white faithful. Hibs have never been a bad team and more a victim of those around them improving this season.

Hearts are one of them. Their surprise title challenge has magnified Hibs’ current standing in fifth place. After selling Kieron Bowie for nearly £7 million and reinvesting it to bring in Munashe Garananga, Felix Passlack, Kai Andrews, Owen Elding, Dane Scarlett and Ante Suto, hopes are raised of a stronger end to the campaign. Suto came off the bench last midweek to head home the winner against United.

There is never a free hit in a derby so Hibs’ cause cannot be played down – but this is a biggie for Hearts. Losing at Easter Road stung last time and a reaction to the defeat by St Mirren is required. Especially with Rangers breathing down their neck. Since Hearts last played, Danny Rohl’s side have scored 13 goals in two matches (5-1 against Kilmarnock, 8-0 against Queen’s Park). They could end the week on top of the league.

Hearts can at least ensure that they head to Ibrox this weekend in that position regardless of what Rangers do on Wednesday night when they head to Fir Park to play another of this season’s success stories in fourth-placed Motherwell. Celtic, who are six points off top spot with a game in hand over both outfits above them, face bottom club Livingston at home, where they are expected to prevail. Sunday’s trip to Kilmarnock holds more peril on paper.

Hearts have Glasgow clubs breathing down their neck

There’s a case to be made for every week between now and the end of the season being significant in a title race, but this one has jeopardy. Hearts are now feeling the warm breath of both Glasgow clubs on their neck. McInnes and his players have done so well to deal with the rigmarole that has accompanied their ascension but with 13 league matches left to play, they have to cope with the chasing pack as well as the pressure of being in a title fight.

Hibs would love nothing more than to deliver a blow to their neighbours. They lost painfully at Tynecastle in early October when Halkett volleyed home stylishly late on for a 1-0 win. The big defender won’t be doing that this time around; he is suspended.

Not having him, midfielder Cammy Devlin and striker Lawrence Shankland (both injured) removes the spine of this Hearts team. Frankie Kent is likely to replace Halkett and the arrival of Marc Leonard on loan, impressive in his first three matches, partly mitigates for the absence of Devlin. A lot of responsibility lies on the shoulders of Landry Kabore, should indeed the Burkinabe striker get the nod again to lead the line. Claudio Braga may be asked to perform No 9 duties instead. Hearts have wide attacking options in reserve, with January signings Islam Chesnokov and Rogers Mato keen to be involved alongside one of their players of the season, winger Alexandros Kyziridis.

Ability-wise, Hearts have assembled a squad capable of challenging for the Premiership crown. The test for them now is as much in the head as it is with the feet. Being able to successfully navigate back-to-back fixtures against Hibs and Rangers would only enhance what a growing number of people believe, that they will be champions. McInnes isn’t showing any signs of concerns.

“I understand, the closer you get to the end of the season, the criticism can come,” he said in his pre-match press conference. “I think it's fair at times. I know what the players give us. And if people want to start losing their s*** or start panicking, start... criticising us, then that’s fine. I couldn't care less, I'm not bothered. I know what we’ve got in the dressing room.

“We’ve got some good fixtures coming up before the split. And it’s important that we maintain our levels, we maintain our strength, maintain our belief.”

In front of a passionate Tynecastle, beating Hibs would be no better way to do that.