Mendy ready for 'massive' Edinburgh derby after first Hearts start

Hearts midfielder Laurent Mendy says he is relishing experiencing his first Edinburgh derby after making his first start for the club in Saturday's 2-1 Premiership victory over St Johnstone. The 29-year-old joined Hearts in the summer from English side Forest Green Rovers and also played a part in Thursday's dramatic penalty shootout victory over Rapid Vienna, which secured Conference League league phase football for the Tynecastle side through to December. Mendy says he has been warned about the significance of his first meeting with Hibernian at Tynecastle this week. "I've been told it's going to be a massive game, bigger than Man City against Man United apparently, so yeah, I'm ready for it," he said. "I'm going to give everything we have. I'm going to take the game as it comes. I know it's going to be a big game, so I'm going to give 110%, as I always do." Mendy admits the demands of the past week have tested Hearts' squad, with the players having to dig deep to secure two important victories. "It's been a tough week, it's been two tough games, but we dug deep and got the job done in both games, so well done to everyone that played a part in it," he said. The midfielder says he has quickly settled into life at Tynecastle after arriving from Forest Green. "I'm loving it. I'm loving the fans, I'm loving the pitch, everyone's been proper welcoming, so yeah, I hope to kick on from now. "It's been game after game, training after training, it's been hectic, but I'm getting used to it and enjoying it at the same time."