New Hibs boss Lee Johnson has warned Robbie Neilson: 'I'm coming for you'.
The 40-year-old officially put pen to paper on a four-year deal at Easter Road yesterday as the club brought their search for Shaun Maloney's successor to an end.
Hibs finished in the bottom half this season and suffered a poor campaign by their standards but across the city Hearts secured a top three finish, European group stage football for next season and a place in the Scottish Cup Final.
READ MORE: New Hibs boss Lee Johnson intends to play 'high-tempo' football as he opens up on recruitment
For Johnson, the hard work starts now and his message is clear, 'I want to win'.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to going up against Robbie. I’ve not heard from him yet, I was going to send him a message saying ‘I’m coming for you Curly Top!’
“I know the rivalry and it was a massive pull for me. To be honest as a manager my derbies have been rubbish
“My best one was Oldham v Rochdale and I wanted something like Sunderland v Newcastle, I wanted Bristol City v Bristol Rovers.
“So I know I’m going to get a proper derby here. I thrive off that.
“I want to win, I want to compete and I want to deliver back to the fanbase and prove my worth.”
Johnson has experience of managing the likes of Sunderland and Bristol City and he has European football on his mind.
He had brief spells at Hearts and Kilmarnock as a player north of the border.
And he believes between the squad currently in place and his connections down south, he will be able to put together a winning formula.
He added: “Those signs are there, the squad hasn’t changed that much.
“We can add to that, we have got scope to add to that which is obviously important.
“I think I can bring top connections from down south and across the UK, so I would look forward to those, I wouldn’t say partnerships, that’s probably a bit heavy, but the personal relationships I have with key clubs down south and big clubs I think can add value.
“Success is to be competitive at the top echelons of the league on a regular basis.
“I totally agree that the European places are up for grabs and we want to look to fight in cup finals as well.
“I think there is a big opportunity for success. Of course, there are four, five, six clubs vying for the same accolade, but why not us, and why not us starting now?”
