On-loan Bournemouth playmaker can’t wait for his first taste of an Edinburgh derby as Hibs look for their first victory in the fixture this season.

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It’s hasn’t Emiliano Marcondes long to understand Scottish football is like a religion to supporters.

The Hibs playmaker hopes to strike a blow of biblical proportions in opposition territory and ensure it’s the green and white half of Edinburgh worshipping a derby victory for the first time this season. Marcondes arrived on loan from Bournemouth last month but, having never played in a two-club city, doubts he’s ever experienced a derby clash with as much hostility as is set to rain down from the stands at Tynecastle on Wednesday night.

Rather than wilt in the heat of battle though the Danish ace can’t wait to feed off the energy, passion and HATE. He said: “I love it! I love when there are more fans and when it’s louder. I’m a player who likes to play with emotion, it drives me when there is something at stake and it means something to people.

“I haven’t really felt that hate or rivalry yet in the city. I’ve only really met Hibs fans and not had the negative abuse from Hearts. Maybe that will come after this game!

“I feel the fans are really passionate here. They are maybe screaming a lot more when you walk out at half time and before the game. They are trying to get in your head. Even if sometimes I don’t understand the accent I can see in their faces it’s not nice things they’re shouting!

“You can feel it means so much to them. I also read an article that Scottish football has the most attendance per person in Scotland. That is a signal that everyone is coming to the stadium even if it’s cold here.

“It’s like a religion here. They come and support their team and although it’s not always positive they are here to show that they care.”

Hibs fought back from 2-0 down to take a point in the last derby meeting at Tynecastle thanks to Elie Youan’s second half double. But Hearts hold the edge over the two games this season after Lawrence Shankland’s stunning injury time winner in Leith two months ago.

Marcondes arrived weeks after that devastating defeat. And his big game experience could be crucial to turning the tide this evening.

The 28-year-old scored the clinching goal when Brentford won the Championship play-off against Swansea at Wembley in 2021 – a year after finishing as a loser in the same game against Fulham.

He said: “The two play-off finals I played in, the first one was a derby, Brentford against Fulham. I felt that before the game and after it as well with the bragging rights and all that. In Denmark we had a local derby as well, I played for Nordsjaelland against FC Copenhagen. You can feel what it means beforehand with fans telling you: ‘We have to win!’

“I feel that here as well. I have fans texting me and there is more media attention around it. So that’s the way I feel the more important games, from the fans perspective.”

Emiliano Marcondes

But while the former Denmark U21 international is relishing the emotion in Tynecastle this evening, Hibs boss Nick Montgomery insists the key is keeping cool. He said: “Look, there’s players who have come in [who have played in big atmospheres]. Myziane has scored for his national team against Ghana, Marcondes scored the winner in the play-off final, the biggest game in English football in terms of promoting a team to the Premier League.