IAN Murray believes Hibernian can use intimidation to clinical effect in Sunday's Edinburgh derby.
Midfielder Murray has seen defensive powerhouses Rob Jones and Sol Bamba cause opposition strikers problems and he wants to see the centre-back pair get under the skin of the Hearts strikers this weekend.
Former Rangers man Murray is looking for
Hibs to improve their recent run to four wins in five Premier League matches, following a dismal start to the campaign by Mixu Paatelainen's side.
"Defensively we are doing fairly well," Murray told this week's Hibernian 'Goalmouth' magazine. "We have Rob Jones in there and anything going in high we expect him to get at."
With former Grimsby Town defender Jones standing at 6ft 7in and Bamba just four inches shorter, Hibs certainly have strength in the air.
Murray, 27, said: "Sol (Bamba] came in last week at centre-half and I don't think many other clubs have the same sort of height in the centre of their defence, and that is definitely a big factor for us to have two such defenders who can intimidate forwards."
Murray's versatility has been a useful tool for the Easter Road side this season and he is ready – and often called upon – to play almost anywhere.
He would even accept the challenge of deputising for Steven Fletcher or Colin Nish if Hibs ever stumbled into a striker crisis, although he would not guarantee a goal.
"I've always said that I prefer playing in central midfield, that's where I feel most comfortable," he said. "So far for the manager though, I've played left-back, centre-half, left midfield and central midfield and that's just this season.
"I've not been picked to play up front yet, no surprise there given my shooting has been murder.
"You never know though. I always fancied playing in goals as well, but I think as I've got older that chance has gone as I'd struggle to get down to low stuff these days."
The full article contains 337 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
