Hearts and Hibs heroes tear into Sky over 'astonishing' Edinburgh Derby snub as blackout branded 'absolutely bonkers'

Hibs and Hearts heros Tam McManus and Ryan Stevenson have both slammed Sky after learning TV chiefs have snubbed the Edinburgh Derby again next month.

Former Easter Road hero McManus and ex-Hearts favourite Stevenson were stunned to discover the satellite broadcasters have selected Livingston’s February 28 clash with Motherwell at the Tony Macaroni as their live TV pick - despite it taking place the same night as the capital clubs go head to head at Tynecastle.

It means just one of the last six derby battles involving the Jambos and their Leith rivals will have made it to Sky’s airwaves. The company’s cameras will, however, be in Gorgie just three days later when Hearts host league leaders Celtic. The terms of Sky’s current contract with the SPFL limit the telly firm to just four visits to each Premiership ground per season. Having already screened both of Celtic and Rangers’ trips to Tynecastle this season, the decision to show the Hoops’ March visit means Sky only have one other Gorgie game to select. And Record Sport understands Sky chiefs believe it would be better to hold on to it in case there is a repeat of last season, when Celtic held their post-split title party on the Jambos’ home turf.

The broadcaster’s top brass are privately frustrated with the restrictions the top flight clubs imposed on them when they signed their current deal back in 2021, which leaves them facing these tough decisions when choosing which games go to air.

But that headache should relent next season when the Premiership’s new £150million TV deal kicks in, with a clause increasing the number of games eligible to be screened per ground to five included in the beefed-up package.

That, though, hasn’t dampened the disappointment of Record