STEVEN NAISMITH has revealed he was asked to be mic’d up for next week’s Edinburgh derby alongside opposite number Nick Montgomery.
It will be a Scottish football first when the capital city rivals go head-to-head at Easter Road, with fans at home able to hear every shout from the Hibs boss in the dugout.
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Sky Sports announced a host of innovative plans for the game, including a bodycam on Montgomery’s assistant Sergio Raimundo and cameras inside the home team’s dressing room.
Montgomery will also communicate with the commentary team during the match.
Earlier today, Rangers manager Philippe Clement admitted why he’d NEVER sign up for this sort of gig, cautioning against saying things that are “not nice” and saying he would be concerned about giving away too much of his team’s tactics.
Hearts boss Naismith is of a similar mindset.
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He told reporters today: “It’s not for me. I’m not interested in that.
“I’m one that I think we have a good product, we’ve got an entertaining league.
“On the flip of that, we can do loads better and we can improve it a lot but I think there’s got to be boundaries.
“It’s good that we are giving access and we’re showing what happens but I think us as a club, we do that off our own back with our own supporters but there has got to be boundaries.”
Naismith was quizzed on whether he was specifically asked to be mic’d up.
He responded: “Everything was asked. I think if Sky were going to come and ask for everything and work back from there but for me it’s just a personal choice. I’m not interested in being mic’d up.
“I’ve been in these situations before. I understand how heated they get and how passionate people can get. I’m just not interested in it.”
Sky said in a statement announcing their ideas for the derby clash: “Supporters will also notice a difference with the matchday interviews with Nick Montgomery being interviewed in his office and a Hibs player during his match preparation inside the dressing room.
“At full-time there will also be on-pitch interviews.
“The broadcast aims to capture the passion, drama and key moments of the derby, and follows Sky Sports’ EFL ‘Innovation Game’ last season, which included new behind- the-scenes access for the broadcast of the Wycombe vs Portsmouth match in League One.
“Hearts have also agreed to a number of activations with Sky Sports for this fixture.
“Coverage starts on Sky Sports Football at 7pm on Wednesday 27 December, 2023.”
Gary Hughes, Director of Football Sky Sports said: “We strive to be at the forefront of innovation and continue to explore new ways we can allow fans to get closer to the action with our coverage. We are so pleased to have been able to work alongside Hibs, Hearts and the SPFL, with a joint ambition to tell the story of this hugely competitive derby to our audience in a new and exciting way.”
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “We’re really pleased to have been able to work with both clubs and Sky Sports to showcase their latest broadcasting innovations, helping put supporters right at the heart of the action in the Edinburgh Derby.
“It promises to be a cracking game and we’re excited to see how the technology brings the match experience even closer for viewing fans.”
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Hibs head of communications Adam Tomlinson said: “It’s been magnificent to work with Sky Sports over the last few months as we aim to give supporters an extra insight into a Hibernian FC matchday and our coaching staff.
“As a club we pride ourselves on being pioneers in the Scottish game and we will reaffirm that through a number of broadcasting innovations on the 27th.”