Season's first capital clash is bubbling with intrigue

THE first Edinburgh derby of the season has been a long time coming, but gunpowder plots give way to sub-plots at Tynecastle Park early this afternoon. The main narrative, however, remains the same. It is a pleasingly simple one. Maroon and white take on green and white. The resumption of hostilities promises to be worth the wait.

While the central theme is a constant one, fortunes tend to change, as does the identity of those manning the dug-outs. John Hughes has had to be patient for his first taste of an Edinburgh derby as a manager, having relished them so much as a player and, before that, as a supporter. His last direct involvement also counts as his final appearance for the Easter Road club. According to Hughes, he has unfinished business in this fixture. In May 2000 Hibs fell 2-1 to Hearts at Tynecastle, speared by a winner from Gary McSwegan.

By the time Hibs kicked off again the following season – again against Hearts, in a rare case of consecutive Edinburgh league derbies – Hughes had left the club, dismayed at Alex McLeish's decision to free him. "At the time I thought I was wearing a Superman vest," he told The Scotsman earlier this season when seeking to illustrate his surprise.

The Hughes who returns to Gorgie in a Hibs capacity is a happier man. His side have overcome teething problems which left supporters fearing that another much-loved player would come unstuck after being promoted to the helm. His currently jaunty bearing contrasts with that of Csaba Laszlo, who has simply had to do the best he can with limited resources. He might have as well have been wearing a Superman vest when he led Hearts to third in the league last season. But miracles don't tend to happen again and again. His team's performances have reflected not only their lack of quality strikers – in stark contrast to the currently over-loaded Hibs – but also the manager's worsening mood. Unsurprisingly, recent pronouncements have seemed to indicate he would rather be anywhere else than Tynecastle.

But come midday today this surely won't be the case. The Hungarian is someone who could deliver a passionate monologue about shopping for shelves in Ikea. He is at risk of exploding on occasions such as these, his pulse quickening as the din outside the dressing room grows louder and louder. Only those with an aversion to excitement and drama could not wish to be present inside a stadium which has no equal for atmosphere in Scotland; particularly when it hosts the rivals from across the city, particularly when there are fewer worms wriggling around in the turf than there are strands of intrigue embedded in the clash.

Will Hibernian make the most of their fortune, as the Hearts captain believes they have done all season? Michael Stewart's claim, which he accused newspapers of misrepresenting, has added to the pre-match debate. So, too, has Laszlo's revelation that he was surprised when Celtic did not add him to the short-list of candidates to succeed Gordon Strachan as manager.

There are other side-issues too. Appropriately, one is to be found on the flank, where Andrew Driver has promised to begin finding the form which saw him rated as among the most exciting players in the league last season. This, he said, is his priority, though by his own admission decision-time over whether he wishes to play for Scotland or England draws near. It will, however, be far from his thoughts as the tackles crackle like autumn bracken this afternoon, and the main stand enclosure exhort him to take on the relatively inexperienced Hibs right-back, David Wotherspoon. It is here, perhaps, where Hearts' best chance of winning the match might rest.

The home team need to make the most of their home advantage, and the fact three quarters of a packed stadium will be urging them to prevent the visitors going level with Celtic at the SPL summit. Hearts, by contrast, could drop to second bottom. It is the potentially horrifying additional consequence of defeat to the fiercest enemy. Hearts do not even have the comfort of knowing they have a suspect goalkeeper to bait. Bucking a recent trend, Graham Stack has so far shown himself to be a dependable last line of defence for Hibs.

Knowledge of what there is to lose means the Hearts supporters will make their way down to Gorgie with a greater sense of trepidation, their anxiety increased by the obvious contrast in moods in the camps this week. While Hearts have sounded agitated, Hibs seem like lightness personified. However, when the roles were reversed last season, the Easter Road side rallied to win the final derby of the season.

Hughes agreed with the point Stewart was seeking to make, as any right-thinking individual surely must. Luck is a huge feature of football. Hibs have proved good enough to reap the benefit of such decisions as the late penalty award which saw them sneak past Kilmarnock in October. They then feasted on the helpful circumstances which saw Aberdeen reduced to nine men last weekend.

Hibs, under Hughes, have become opportunists, their pleasing style perhaps masking a deadliness that has seen them win four of six fixtures since falling to Hamilton in September. With yet more of that contentious quality called luck, even the two draws in this run – against Dundee United and Rangers – could have ended with victory.

Hibs, it is possible to conclude, are a project that is falling into place. Hearts, in contrast, cannot quite shake the look of a rather abject, temporary venture. But like a hall of mirrors at a fairground, derbies have the ability to distort appearances.