CALLUM PATERSON reckons Hearts are ready to hit the ground running after spending months preparing for life in the Championship.
But the Jambos star believes city rivals Hibs will need time to adjust to the devastating way they ended up in Scotland’s second tier.
Paterson is gearing up for an almighty scrap with Hibs and Rangers for the automatic ticket back to the Premiership.
He said: “We’ve had the chance to reflect on it and look back on the season and we’re raring to go and prepared for it.
“Hibs, on the other hand, aren’t going to be happy that they’re going down.
“It was strange to see Hibs going down the way they did and it wasn’t good for them but it’s brilliant for us to have four derbies. They’ll boost attendances for both clubs and the Championship will be a good league. Then you throw Rangers into the mix as well as Livingston and Falkirk.
“It’s going to be a massive division next season with a lot of quality games. Everyone assumes it will be two from three to go up but there’s so much quality that you can’t rule anyone out.
“Dundee went down last season and went straight back up and ourselves and Hibs will be looking to do the same. It’s going to be a fascinating league with a few big games and I can’t wait.
“As young Hearts boys we’ve all played about 20 or 30 games each so we’re experienced players and need to show it.
“We’ve had time to reflect on this season already and we’ve appointed a new manager, a new head coach and we’re trying to bring in new personnel. It’s going to be a tough league but we can’t wait to get going.”
Paterson still has one final match of the season to take care of and the small matter of the visit of Holland as Billy Stark’s Scotland Under-21s face the first of three must-win matches in Euro qualifying. The Scots face a tough task as the Dutch won 4-0 on home soil in the previous fixture.
Paterson: “I came on late in the last match against them and the tempo they played at showed they are a top-class side.
“It was really warm and humid and the weather suited them which showed as we lost four goals in the last half hour.We matched them well up until then and could have taken the lead as we had a few chances.
“This is the last game of the season for everyone and we’re looking forward to it.”