Hibernian: Terry Butcher 'too busy' for derby win celebrations

Hibernian boss Terry Butcher said he would not be celebrating his side's 2-1 derby win over Hearts in his first Edinburgh derby as manager.

Instead, he would concentrate on plans to beat Dundee United on Sunday to add to a good haul of points for the Easter Road side over the festive period.

"We've sent the Hibs fans home very happy, of course," said Butcher.

"I'm not a 'bah, humbug' kind of guy but we've got to forget about this result as quickly as possible."

The former England defender added: "We've got to look forward to Dundee United because these games are coming round thick and fast.

"With the festive period you stand the chance of picking up points. Ten points out of a possible 12 - that's pretty good form and it's lifted us into the top six.

"We are five behind United and six behind Caley Thistle, so onwards and upwards.

"I won't celebrate tonight. I have about 18 DVDs of Dundee United to watch."

Hibs played out a goalless draw with St Johnstone four days before Christmas and have followed that with wins over Ross County, Kilmarnock and now Hearts.

But Butcher, only eight games into his tenure at Hibs, warns there is still room for improvement.

His team were the livelier in the derby match, played before 20,106 fans, but had failed to make the breakthrough by half-time.

James Collins spun in the six-yard box to give them a 61st-minute lead yet they were pegged back when Ben Williams failed to hold David Smith's shot and he poked home the rebound.

Their winner came from Liam Craig's confidently struck penalty seven minutes from time.

Butcher told BBC Scotland: "It's a little step forward. We know we can be better and we should have scored more goals but we are delighted with the result.

"I thought the performance was a very good one. We thoroughly deserved to win the game.

"[At half-time] we told the players to be more brave and to show more composure. I told the players to relax. It was hurried.

"When we did get the ball down and pass it, we did pretty well. It was just that final bit of quality in and around the Hearts penalty area.

"We feel we should score more goals; we are creating quite a bit.

"Their goal came out the blue, against the run of play, but the boys showed great resilience."

The former centre-half praised defender Paul Hanlon, describing him as "absolutely immense", and said of penalty taker Craig that he was "calmness personified".

"It's our first league penalty of the season and it was lovely to see Liam tuck it away," said the manager.

"I think he is our eighth goalscorer, for me, in our eight games.

"We will get more quality in but I want more quality from the players we've got here.

"We are on a great run and we want to keep it going. Up front we know they could get more goals but they work their socks off.

"The stadium was bouncing. It was a fantastic atmosphere. What were they singing at the end - Sunshine on Leith? I don't know the words yet. I'll learn them.

"We have set something in motion here and it's going to get bigger and bigger and bigger. The crowd are buying into the fact that these players are committed to the jersey and committed to a way of playing."