It may have split opinion, but Nick Montgomery’s solitary concern for an all-access Edinburgh a derby is avoiding a telling-off from his wife.

The Hibernian manager will wear a Sky Sports microphone for 90 minutes at Easter Road and promised he will try his best to keep the ‘industrial language’ to a minimum. A four-way agreement between Hibs, Sky, the SPFL, and Hearts – although Montgomery's counterpart Steven Naismith won't be mic'd up – will provide a unique look behind the curtain at one of Scottish football’s biggest days.

Sky Sports has been granted access to the Hibs dressing room, assistant coach Sergio Raimundo is set to wear a body camera, and Montgomery will even conduct interviews in the heat of battle. The idea hasn’t proven universally popular – Naismith declined an invitation to take part, while Premiership managers Philippe Clement and Derek McInnes were among those who expressed scepticism about the idea.

Montgomery, however, is satisfied that it won’t affect the game itself, although admitted he will have to mind his P’s and Q’s once the emotion takes over. He believes the initiative will be a positive one for the Scottish game’s image.

“That’s something that was an agreement between Hearts, Hibs, Sky Sports and the Scottish football authorities,” the manager explained. “I was made aware of it a couple of months ago, that discussions were in place to get the derby televised in this way – hopefully to lift the profile of the fixture and Scottish football, as a whole. If it can help the Scottish games and it can help the fans feel a little bit closer, I think it’s great. 

“Look around the world, even down south to the Premier League and Champions, there is a lot more interactive stuff going on, more documentaries where the cameras get all access. Teams like Arsenal and Manchester City have let the fans see behind the scenes. 

“This is a showpiece game for Scottish football, one of the biggest derbies, and that was why there were discussions between Sky Sports, both clubs and the SPFL about this game. I’m the manager of the club and all I can do is show the club in the best light as possible. 

“My wife is always telling me to curb my language! There is definitely some industrial football language in the technical area.  

“When you get passionate about anything, the swear words do come out. But I’ve definitely tried to improve on that because I’ve got three girls – and it’s not the sort of language I want to be known for. 

“But it’s passionate. And you have fans who book their seats behind the dugout every season; they get it live and in person every other week. Maybe fans in the other parts of the stadium don’t really get to see what goes on the bench. 

“It was an initiative that was agreed between both clubs, the broadcasters and the league. I’ll still be 100 per cent focused on getting the best result in the derby.”

His counterpart Naismith spoke plainly about his lack of interest in participating, insisting ‘there has to be boundaries’. But while Montgomery was reluctant to comment on the Hearts manager’s stance, he firmly believes it’s a worthwhile opportunity to showcase a colossal Premiership fixture.

“I can only comment on myself,” he said. “Both CEOs, the league and Sky Sports all agreed that this was a great opportunity to showcase the league. I can only speak for myself. I’ll try to be myself. 

“I’ve been involved in situations like this before and I can honestly say it doesn’t affect the game. It’s just an opportunity for the showpiece of an Edinburgh derby to be televised with a bit more access for the fans.”

That previous experience came in the A-League as manager of Central Coast Mariners, which perhaps explains why he held the same reservations as others. Montgomery expects he will likely forget he’s even wearing the microphone once the whistle blows.

“There was documentary stuff in the A-League that I was involved in,” he said. “That involved being mic’d up. Sometimes you forget you’ve got the microphone on and obviously, it’s a passionate game.  

“The important thing is to be yourself. I’ll definitely be myself and I’m sure the staff will be no different.  

“We’re almost in 2024 now and this is the way sport is going around the world. I think if it’s something that Sky Sports and the league want to do, if it promotes Scottish football, that’s great.” 

This will be Montgomery’s second taste of the capital’s premier fixture, and his first on friendly ground at Easter Road. In October, his side recovered from two goals down at Tynecastle to rescue a dramatic draw, with Élie Youan’s quick-fire double earning what had felt like a very unlikely point.

While the continued absence of away fans down the M8 has tempered the febrile atmosphere that would engulf Ibrox and Celtic Park on derby day, the Edinburgh equivalent has retained the increased allocation for visiting supporters. Despite the occasion invariably being soaked in tension, Montgomery loved every minute of it. This time, though, he wants to ensure he has a win to re-establish Hibs’ momentum.

Hibs’ trip to Ross County suffered a late postponement at the weekend, denying Montgomery and his players the chance to bounce back from a limp defeat to St Johnstone in their previous outing. Now, though, it’s all eyes on securing the manager’s first taste of success against Hibs’ old rivals.

“I loved it,” he insisted. “Loved the passion, loved the supporters and love the atmosphere inside the stadium. It was a proper tense derby atmosphere where you know it’s going to be a lively affair long before kick-off. 

“It’s why we love football, being involved in games like that. It’s amazing to see that passion from the fans. I’ve been fortunate to play in many derbies, and coached in a few as well. It’s never boring.”