Bayley Hutchison was on hand for media duties to preview Sunday’s SWPL Edinburgh Derby. Aaron Fraser reports from Tynecastle Park:
After spending ten years with Aberdeen, and winning the SWPL 1 Golden Boot in 2023/24 with an incredible haul of 28 goals, girlhood red Bayley Hutchison swapped the North East for Scotland’s capital in summer, signing a two year contract at Tynecastle Park. The 21-year-old suffered an injury-hit beginning to her Hearts career, but is now back to doing what she does best: making opposition goalkeepers pick the ball out of their net.
“The start of the season was difficult for me. Obviously moving club you want to make an impact as soon as possible so being out injured was difficult, but I worked hard and I’m trying to make that impact in the team.”
“I’m trying to keep my place in the team. I’m just trying to do well for the team, get goals, get three points and that’s the most important thing for me.”
When quizzed on if derby matches demand additional preparation, Hutchison was quick to point out that having the same mindset, regardless of opposition or occasion, is good practice.
Manager Eva Olid has commented on the derby matches at Tynecastle being an occasion that has negatively affected her players mentally. If anyone is going to be overawed by the 7,000 plus crowd on Sunday afternoon, the chances are that it won’t be Hutchison. Laid back and relaxed while answering questions, she is content to treat the derby like any other league game, and let her football do the talking.
“You’re playing in the home stadium. You’re playing in front of a big crowd and yeah, I think you just have to go on with it with the same mindset. It’s a league game at the end of the day and we just want to get the three points.”
“So I think that’s our main focus. Try and not think too much on the occasion.”
Rather than being intimidated by the large attendance that is anticipated, Hutchison relishes the chance to put on a show in front of the Hearts fans. The opportunity to strut her stuff at Tynecastle is one that the red-hot forward is looking forward to.
However, Hutchison also knows that the Hibs players will have the same motivation. Over 750 away supporters have snapped up tickets for the Roseburn Stand, who will be just as fired up for the occasion as the home fans. Hutchison is aware that Hibs will not be content to turn up and be as easy to overcome as they were last time out at Easter Road.
“I think it helps us. You know, I think the fans will push us on. We’ll want to try and perform in front of them or try and give them the result that they deserve and if they’re coming out to see us, we want to perform well for them.”
“We know they’re going to be a tough opponent and they’re not going to roll over for us especially because they’re coming here. They’ll want to put on a show and we’ll want to do the same and we’ll want to get the three points.”
Hutchison was an unused substitute in September’s 4-0 win at Easter Road, and if given the go ahead to play on Sunday, is excited at the chance to net in the Edinburgh Derby for the first time in her career. She also took the opportunity to issue a rallying call to fans who are yet to secure their tickets for the match.
“I think a lot of people speak about it in the team, it’s a big occasion. Obviously playing Hearts VS Hibs, it doesn’t get that much bigger in Edinburgh so yeah I’m excited. I’m excited to play in front of the fans, I’m excited for a big crowd, hopefully excited to get on the pitch, and if I score, even better”
“I think you should buy tickets, they’re free so why would you not come? It will be a good game, the last time it was 4-0, if we could get a game like that again for us then that’s important in front of our home fans, and we want to get as many fans back as possible”
