I need to calm down our foreign stars for derby clash, says Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen

Oct 19 2008 By Scott McDermott

HIBS boss Mixu Paatelainen only realised how special an Edinburgh derby was when he turned up to sample it as a fan.

The big Finn took part in several clashes against Hearts as an Easter Road player but insists the occasion passed him by.

When he left Edinburgh he vowed to go back as a punter and experience what every Hibee die-hard goes through in the stand.

And after witnessing the fans' frenzy first hand the magnitude of the fixture finally hit him and that's why he can't wait for today's derby with Csaba Laszlo's side.

Mixu said: "When you play in the derby all you focus on once you're out there is the game - your runs and your passes.  Even when you watch the match on TV you can't gauge the atmosphere.

"It's only when you're on the sidelines for a game against Hearts it hits you. Suddenly you realise 'this game is really volatile'.

"Even as a boss you focus on the game. But when you're a spectator it's different.

"When I played at St Johnstone, St Mirren and Cowdenbeath I used to come back to watch the derbies as a fan.

"Every time I could make it, like when they were on a Sunday, I'd go along. I was supporting Hibs and hoping we'd win. One that sticks out is when Garry O'Connor scored a late winner at Easter Road - that was special because of when he scored.

"I remember thinking 'wow, this is fantastic'. I got so excited about it but as a player I didn't realise how good the atmosphere was in with the supporters."

Paatelainen will have a few die-hard Hibs fans in his starting line-up this afternoon in the shape of local lads Derek Riordan, Colin Nish and Ian Murray.

But the 41-year-old admits it's actually the other players in his squad he has to warn about curbing their excitement before kick-off. Mixu said: "It's about calming some players down and geeing up others, a bit of both.

"I want to make sure they're sharp and motivated and ready.

"But the occasion is special, there's no denying that. Some of them need calming down because two bad tackles mean two yellow cards and you're off.

"It's about controlling your aggression.

"The players who have been brought up Hibs fans have played in the derby before so thankfully they know what it's all about.

"They're so passionate but also know they can't go over the top."