THERE'S NO HOLDING ZACH

Loan kid Mitchell is desperate to push on with derby looming after vital assist on Hibs debut

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ZACH MITCHELL made an impressive debut for Hibs and is now hellbent on being thrown into the lion's den of the derby.

The defender arrived on loan from Championship side Charlton in September and clocked his first Hibs minutes three-and-a-half months later at Tannadice.

Mitchell is keen to get his Easter Road career up and running and would love to face table-topping Hearts come Saturday.

On the derby, he said: "I know it is a brilliant occasion. It's not something I've been able to experience.

"From what I've heard and seen, with the last game, it’s just a brilliant occasion to be a part of and I would be grateful for that opportunity."

The 20-year-old has found himself behind Grant Hanley, Rocky Bushiri, Jack Iredale and Warren O'Hora in the pecking order.

The door opened away to Dundee United with Bushiri on Africa Cup of Nations duty with DR Congo and O'Hora having to pull out of the game through illness.

Mitchell said: "I didn't know until the meeting earlier on (before the game).

"You always need to be ready, whether or not you're in the team or if you're going to be a sub. You always need to be ready for the opportunity.

"As a player, you need to be ready at any moment.

"It can be hard maybe to not build up the moment too much.

"That's something you have to control in yourself.

"It's important not to get too high in certain moments and not too low as well."