Eva Olid says nothing will change in terms of preparation or tactics ahead of this Sunday's Edinburgh Derby.
Hearts Women make their return to Tynecastle this Sunday as they take on Hibs and while Olid accepts that there are differences between playing at Oriam and Tynecastle, she is hopeful that the experience of playing in stadiums more regularly will help settle any nerves.
Speaking to the media at the pre-match press conference, Olid said:
"In terms of tactics, nothing changes, but the mental side, while I expected no change, it's something that last year we experienced. Players do feel different playing at Tynecastle. But I expect that this season, with the experienced players, I hope they can have confidence to play at Tynecastle.
“Last season, we were the team that won more games against Hibs. That gives us confidence, of course, but I respect them a lot. I think what they achieved last season is amazing, and finally they broke the top three. I think that started a new era.
"In the league, everything can happen, and that is what you want, not just top three teams, where everyone is speaking about them. Now everything is open, and that is the emotion that we want in the league.”
Over 5,000 Jambos have already snapped up their free tickets for Sunday’s fixture and Olid is hopeful of seeing a big turnout to cheer on her side.
“I think this is the most exciting game, because Hibs is in a really good moment, and we promise to play football. I think it will be such a good game that everything can happen. It's nice weather, it's September, it's the ideal moment to come along.”
It was a difficult start to the season for the women in maroon, facing both Celtic and Rangers in their opening two games, before picking up their first victory against Hamilton on Sunday.
When asked to assess the season so far, Olid replied:
“Celtic was a hard game to start with, but I saw that as a positive because I thought that we were so ready to play that game. Pre-season was so good, and we still have the base of the team from last season.
“The first half was not as we expected, and then we conceded two goals, that was the only two times that Celtic shot on target, and of course, you don't expect to lose a game that the opposition just had two shots on target. But in the second half, we were us, and we could win the game, but their keeper was amazing, and we didn't score our chances.
“That is football, but the frustration was the first half, where we didn't apply everything that we worked on during the week, but it was difficult to take that loss, because I thought we were the better team in the 90 minutes.
“At Ibrox, the players showed a big reaction. In the first half, we were so much better than Rangers, and second half, we were winning, you go a little more defensive, we didn't want that, but at the end, 2-2.”
You can get your free tickets for Sunday’s Capital Cup by clicking here.
