Hearts v Hibs preview: Pat Fenlon eager to lead Hibs into ‘lion’s den’ at Tynecastle

Confidence is high in the Easter Road ranks following a superb 1-0 home win over league champions Celtic.

And though Fenlon is wary of the threat posed by the Jambos, he is backing his side to do well against their arch-rivals.

“We know we can go and stand toe to toe with anybody now and that’s the important thing,” he said.

“That’s what we’ve changed about this club, and that’s what will happen as well.

“We know it’s going into the lion’s den, it’s a difficult venue, but we are looking forward to it and we are relishing it. We want to go there and put on a performance for our supporters.”

A win will seem particularly sweet for either side given it will be savoured during a two-week winter shutdown after the derby and Fenlon is eager that his side earn their reprieve from league duty.

“It’s another big game but we’ve got a good break after that and the players should go into it looking forward to it now as well,” he added.

Meanwhile Hearts, who were unhappy to have their away match at Ross County postponed at the 11th hour on December 29, will be hoping to get the new year off to a bang following a 2012 to forget.

A win over their Edinburgh rivals would be a superb start to 2013, but the club are also braced for the departure of Australian international Ryan McGowan.

Manager John McGlynn confirmed today that a transfer bid had been accepted for the defender and that he would not be taking part in tomorrow’s derby match.

McGowan has yet to agree to the £400,000 switch to Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng, but McGlynn explained that the financially troubled club could not afford to reject the offer.

He said: “The club have accepted a bid for Ryan so he won’t play any part in the game tomorrow. He’s not put pen to paper.

“It’s disappointing to lose him but if good offers come in we need to accept them.”

McGowan, 23, was part of Hearts’ Scottish Cup-winning side in May and has been an ever-present in the side this term.

McGlynn added: “Since I’ve been here he’s played every single minute of every single game.

“He’s a great lad, so he’ll be a big miss.”