HOY BACKS EDINBURGH TO RETAIN DERBY TROPHY

Olympic hero Sir Chris Hoy has backed his hometown team Edinburgh to retain the Greaves Sports 1872 Cup against old rivals Glasgow – starting with this Sunday’s trip to Firhill (27 December, kick off 3.05pm, live on STV).

Edinburgh-born Hoy, who famously won three gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, is a rugby enthusiast who idolised Gavin Hastings when he was a youngster.

The 33-year-old has regularly been seen watching Edinburgh play over recent seasons and Hoy, who knows a lot about winning, has tipped the Black and Red Army to triumph in both games. For info on the games please click here.

Hoy said: “I’m backing Edinburgh to win the Greaves Sports 1872 Cup this time around. Last season’s matches were really exciting and I’m sure the two games this year will also capture people’s imaginations.

“Although I don’t get to that many games because of my cycling commitments, I am an Edinburgh fan and back Rob Moffat and the players to deliver the goods at both Firhill and Murrayfield.”