Paul Hanlon has urged Hibs to use their Edinburgh derby high to secure a top-six place.
Lee Johnson's men go into the final round of fixtures before the league split with their destiny in their own hands after claiming the capital bragging rights with a 1-0 victory over Hearts at Easter Road. Kevin Nisbet was the hero as he fired home in the second period to leave the Hibees heading into a final day of drama in the race for the top half.
The men from Leith know that they are guaranteed to finish in the top end and in that fight for European football next season with victory over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. A draw or a loss and favours will be needed elsewhere. There was a lot of pressure going into the showdown last weekend. Both clubs were out of sorts results wise and on poor runs but the Hibees have stopped the rot in what Hanlon describes as a 'massive win'.
READ MORE: Hibs' fight for top six examined as all scenarios explored ahead of big Premiership weekend
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He said: “There was a lot of pressure on us going into the derby, but it was good to get back to winning ways. Hopefully now we can really push on.”
The 33-year-old played a key role in the winning goal with his header back into the mixer from a corner finding Nisbet. The striker did the rest with the veteran delighted to get the fans off their seats with a strong performance from the off in Leith.
He added: “The corner was deep to the back and I just helped it back into the area really.
“Then it’s all probably on Nizzy’s instinct about where to be.
“We played well at the start and got the fans off their seats and we fed off that. We then got the goal and saw it out well. It was a massive win."
Hibs are just two points behind Steven Naismith's Hearts in fourth and seven behind Aberdeen in third. Should they reach the top six they will be right in the mixer to secure European football for next season.
Should Rangers or Celtic lift the Scottish Cup then the top five teams in the Premiership will compete across the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League.
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