Hearts coach Robbie Neilson tips Hibernian for Premiership return

Robbie Neilson is convinced Hearts will be reunited with city rivals Hibernian in the Ladbrokes Premiership next season.

The Jambos face Alan Stubbs' Leith outfit on Sunday for a place in the William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

It will be the Edinburgh teams' only meeting this season, after the Gorgie men left their old foes behind in the second tier last year when they won promotion.

Hibs trail Mark Warburton's Gers by eight points in the Championship title race, but Neilson believes, even if they are beaten to top spot for the second campaign running, they will battle their way back to the Premiership via the play-offs.

He told Press Association Sport: "They have got a lot of guys with Premiership experience already. They have the finances that will sustain them in the top flight and this season I think it will be themselves and Rangers who come up.

"They want to win the league but if they don't, they will be favourites to come up in the play-offs. "

Hearts stormed to the Championship title last season, eventually claiming the flag with a 21-point cushion over the Hibees.

But the head-to-head records were evenly matched with one win apiece, as well as two draws.

And Neilson expects another close affair on Sunday.

"They play a similar system," he said. "They've recruited well over the summer. Alan has brought John McGinn in, which I thought was a good move. He's been playing really well recently.

"They've also added strikers like Anthony Stokes, so they have improved.

"But we've improved too, so I think it will be an exciting match played by two good sides."