CRAIG Wighton has only made a few brief appearances as a substitute against Hibernian in his professional career to date and they came three years ago during a loan spell at Raith Rovers.

Yet, if the Hearts striker is chosen to replace his injured team mate Steven Naismith in the Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle in front of over 19,000 fans this evening he will know exactly what to expect and be confident of handling the occasion.

For the 21-year-old played in what was dubbed the “Doon Derby” at Dens Park back in 2016 and scored the injury-time winner for Dundee that consigned their bitter city rivals United to relegation.

He admits that taking part in the meeting between the bitter capital adversaries – currently first and sixth in the Ladbrokes Premiership table – will be a step up on that highly-charged encounter.

But he feels the experience he gained on Tayside will prove invaluable if he is given the nod to make his debut in the famous fixture.

“That Dundee derby goal was probably the most memorable moment of my career so far,” he said. “Growing up a Dundee fan, it meant a lot to me and my family.

“I am from Dundee and a few of my friends are Dundee United fans, so it was a bit weird like that. It’s never nice to see anyone go down, with folk losing their jobs and stuff, but it was a big moment for me and my family. I hope that I can do the same on Wednesday.

“It was an important experience for me, too. There was a lot riding on that game, with United’s situation, and it was a big-pressure game, but I feel like I am used to these games now and I’m keen to be involved in another. Even just with the build-up and excitement, I can’t wait for the game now.

“Derbies are the games that will give you the headlines if you can get a goal and we are all desperate to do that and make the supporters happy again after the weekend.

“Those games are huge occasions, but the Edinburgh derby is so much bigger. It’s a bigger city, with a lot more fans and we are just raring to go.

“There will be a bit more pressure on us after the weekend, people might be thinking we might not handle it due to the injuries and stuff, but we have a good squad here and we are confident we can get three points.”

Wighton will have big boots to fill if he is selected ahead of team mate Sean Clare.

Naismith, who is facing up to two months with a cartilage injury that may require surgery, has been one of the form players in the country never mind at Hearts this season.

He has, too, netted 13 goals for club and country while his understudy, who was signed on the final day of the summer transfer window, has still to open his account.

But the former Dundee player feels he has benefitted enormously from training and playing alongside the Scotland internationalist and has picked up pointers which will prove beneficial against Hibs.

“I’ve learned wee things from Steven Naismith,” he said. “Just the dirty side of the game - winning free-kicks, getting your body in the way and making ground up for the team.

“His movement and cleverness is brilliant. Sometimes he will just stand in a position knowing that the ball will come rather than just running about for the sake of it. These are the little touches of quality that he does that you don’t think about. He has been doing it for years. I want to take all that on board.

“Steven MacLean is exactly the same. They are both so experienced and he is a clever player as well. It’s good to have those players to learn from, for everyone here.”