Barrie McKay can be Hearts derby day hero as Craig Halkett names key factor that can see off Hibs

At times in Edinburgh derbies, it feels like Hearts and Hibs are playing with a bomb instead of a ball. To say these games can be a bit frantic is an understatement.

So having a player who can calm everyone down by putting their foot on it will be vital at Easter Road this afternoon. And when it comes to composure, there are few better in the Premiership than Barrie McKay. Even while there’s bedlam all around him, he’ll probably still look as if he’s got all the time in the world.

That was certainly the case with the Hearts star’s goal on the opening day of the league season last week against Ross County at Tynecastle. It was a thing of beauty – but for Craig Halkett it wasn’t a surprise. The big centre-back came through the ranks at Rangers with McKay a decade ago, shortly before the winger broke into the Ibrox first-team.

Since then they’ve been on their own footballing journeys which eventually led them to Tynecastle. At 27, they are now two of the most experienced pros in Robbie Neilson’s dressing-room.

Halkett sees a different McKay to the kid who burst on to the scene at Rangers. But the touch, control and vision are still the same.

That’s what makes him one of the most skilful players Halkett has ever played with. And he insists McKay’s quality on the ball will be absolutely crucial to Neilson’s men in Leith today.

Ahead of the season’s first Edinburgh derby, Halkett said: “Technically, Barrie is right up there with the very best I have played with. He can do stuff with the football other players can’t do. In terms of technique he is right up there with the best.

“Forward players are judged on their decision making and end product. Barrie’s a player who gets his decisions right more often than not. That’s