BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
IAN CATHRO is adamant he has no problem with Hibs striker Grant Holt attempting to turn up the heart on Hearts and insists his players with relish the pressure on Sunday.
Holt, 35, lit the fuse on the powder-keg clash this week by questioning how the Tynecastle outfit would handle their favourites’ tag when the city rivals clash in Gorgie.
Ahead of the Scottish Cup fifth round tie, Holt said “we will see how they like the pressure”, while he suggested their recent 4-1 win over Rangers was simply down to the Gers being abject, rather than the quality of Cathro’s side.
Asked about the comments from the Hibs camp, Cathro queried the motives behind them – but remained cool as he expressed confidence that he has assembled a squad which will lap up the cauldron of derby day.
He said: “There can be a lot of reasons for that type of comment to be made – and each person will have their own reason for portraying that.
“Is the pressure on us? That would be good. I’m happy to have it all and I think my players would be happy with that too, so we’ll take that pressure.
“I want these challenges and I want to bring players here that feel the same way. I think we are getting there – we have a squad that wants pressure, that enjoys the need to win.
“We understand that the games means more to people and is more memorable and we respect that and like it. We enjoy the fact it adds pressure and some more spotlight.
“It makes every single touch and every single touch feel that little bit more important.
“Everything is that little bit louder this week. But we enjoy that and, while our actual day-to-day will be pretty normal, we all enjoy big matches and relish that.”
