Shankland issues derby warning amid Hearts excitement

Lawrence Shankland admits title excitement is building among the Hearts squad - but warned they can't afford another lacklustre derby showing at Easter Road on Sunday.

The Premiership leaders were three goals down after 50 minutes on their previous trip to Leith in December, with their comeback falling short in a 3-2 defeat.

This time the finishing line to a gripping title race is in sight, with five games left and Hearts holding a one-point lead over Rangers while Celtic lurk three adrift.

Shankland is wary of a Hibs side intent on dealing a blow to their high-flying rivals' glory bid.

"For large spells of that game we let ourselves down," the striker said. "For about 60 minutes we weren't at the level we needed to be.

"Once we got the first goal, we found it again and almost got something, but we probably didn't deserve it overall.

"I'm sure the boys will have taken note of how that feeling was. We know we're going to need a much better performance for 90 minutes if we're going to get a result this time.

"These games are decided by small margins. Goals change momentum, so for us it's about starting well and showing our best level. We've shown this season that when we do that, we can win a lot of matches.

"There's an excitement about the place. It's the business end of the season and it's a good position to be in. I've enjoyed it up until now and hopefully that continues.

"It's exciting but there's going to be plenty of twists and turns. But if we concentrate on our results and we pick up maximum points then there's only one place we'll be."

The Scotland international highlighted the importance of handling pressure better than in previous encounters.

"I don't think we dealt with it too well that day," he added. "Going behind is something we reflected on as a team - we could have managed it better.

"But over the season we've shown we have a strong mentality. We've come from behind, we've held leads, and we've won in different ways. That belief is there - this is just another game we need to approach in the same way."