Can Hibs complete a Scottish Premiership clean sweep? Players set new target for Euro places run-in

Hibs have set their sights on completing a rare Scottish Premiership clean sweep by defeating every single team in the league as part of their race to claim a precious European place. But manager David Gray will warn his players to take nothing for granted as they fly into the post-split schedule on the back of a stunning 17-game unbeaten run.

Hibs head north to take on Aberdeen at Pittodrie this weekend, knowing that doing the away double against the Dons will strengthen their hold on third place. Should Treble-chasing Celtic go on to lift the Scottish Cup next month, the team finishing third in the league will go into the Europa League play-offs, with guaranteed group stage football in the Europa Conference League providing a safety net in the event of failure.

Gray, who has consistently set targets and used historical references as motivational talking points during his first season as manager, has come up with another carrot to dangle in front of his players. In a campaign when they’ve beaten both Rangers AND Celtic, the home victory over Dundee last time out means they’ve beaten every top-flight team bar one – something they can put right during the run-in.

Gaffer will use record as ‘incentive’ during dash to finish line

“Dundee and St Mirren were the last two teams that we haven't beaten this season,” revealed Gray, the gaffer adding: “We’ve still got an opportunity to try and change that. So of course we can use that.

“Of course, it will be our third trip to Paisley this season when we go there, because of the way the split fixtures work out. That’s just the way it falls.

“It's a difficult place, but it would be tough even at home, we've already experienced that this year, they're a very difficult side to play against. They've done incredibly well for the third season to get into the top six again, which shows you they're a good side as well, because it doesn't happen by accident - that's not a fluke.

“So, they'll be difficult games, but also it's the one team that's left in the league that we've not beaten yet. That's something else, another bit of incentive for the players that we spoke about when they got into that top six.”

Hibs suffered a horrific 3-0 loss to the Buddies in Paisley on the opening weekend of the league campaign. They also lost 2-1 at home in November, before battling their way to a 0-0 away draw in February – in a game notable mainly for Alasana Manneh picking up two bookings within minutes of making his Hibs debut.

Admitting that he can understand why some feel like Paisley is an unlucky venue for Hibs, Gray declared: “Well, there's only one way to change that isn't there? So I think you can look at all the games that we've played against St Mirren this season.

“In the first game, for the first 45 minutes down there I thought we were excellent, should have been one or two up at half time, don't take your chances. That was probably the story of our season to be honest, punished for our mistakes.

“And then the home tie was probably the worst we've played for 45 minutes, gave St Mirren a couple of goals to start. And then at that point you're really up against it, especially how organised they are, and how difficult they are to play against - but in the second half we were miles better and really pushed to get back into the game.

“So you’re looking to take the best bits from those two games. We definitely will need to put a complete performance in against St Mirren when that fixture comes around, because as I've already said, they're a really good side.”

Celtic challenge remains daunting wherever it falls in fixture list

While a lot of the focus is on Aberdeen away this weekend and Dundee United at home on Saturday week, with the schedule giving Hibs an early chance to kill off their main rivals in the race for third, Hibs fans were also pleased to see their one remaining trip to Celtic Park fall at the start of a three-game week to round off the season. There is every chance, the logic goes, that Brendan Rodgers will be resting key players and rotating his quad with the Cup final in mind.

But Gray is wary of making assumptions, saying: “We've put ourselves in a brilliant position because we're third at the moment, and out in front. But we play the teams that are directly below us in the first two games, so that can change very quickly, in a positive way or a negative way.

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“And I think regardless of when you play Celtic, whether they've won the league, whether they've not, it doesn’t really affect them. One thing you can guarantee when you play Celtic is they need to win games of football. That's the pressure of that club. But you also have to acknowledge the quality of the player they can put out, regardless of whether they’re deemed a regular starter or more of a squad member on rotation.

“Whatever Brendan decides to do, or if the league was tied up, there's still going to be a top player that's going to come in and play. And all of them, like every player, every single time you pull on a jersey you need to impress, so I think it doesn't make the challenge any easier, that's for sure.”

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