What 'buzzing' Hibs boss Reedijk thinks about Falkirk attempts to capitalise on fan frustration at Easter Road
Fresh injury concerns up front as striker and attacking midfielder ruled out
Hibs boss Marink Reedijk says he’s already ‘buzzing’ ahead of his Easter Road debut tomorrow. And the new manager has dismissed Falkirk boss John McGlynn’s talk of the Bairns capitalising on unrest among the Easter Road support, warning that a jumping home crowd could just as easily work against the visitors.
Reedijk will go into his second game as head coach without the services of attacking midfielder Callum Wright and centre forward Nathan Lowe, both of whom featured in last weekend’s loss to Dundee United. Jacob Devaney is also suspended after being red-carded at Tannadice – and the midfielder picked up an injury in the process.
McGrath and Mayor back from injury
Reedijk, who is hopeful of having both Jamie McGrath and Adam Mayor back in contention after injury, is bursting with enthusiasm ahead of the Scottish Premiership fixture, saying: “I’m buzzing. I’m looking forward to really having a match in our own stadium, which I’ve heard fantastic stories about.
“I'm very much looking forward to this match tomorrow. I'm also curious to see how we improved over the last couple of days. We have to be brave and on the front foot in order to first and foremost control matches more and also get results - and entertain the people in the stand.”
Veteran boss McGlynn, with a nod to last weekend’s ugly post-match scenes leading to a three-game ban for the Block Seven ultras group, is open about his team’s intent to further sour relations with supporters.
“We know that things are not all rosy in the garden at the moment and we want to try and take advantage of that and frustrate them,” said the former Hearts head coach. "We want to try and take the game to them and put them on the back foot and make them nervous.
"The Hibs fans weren't happy last week at Tannadice, so we've got to try and make sure they're not happy this week at Easter Road. If we can do that, and that can transmit from the stand to the pitch, when the new manager's trying to get his points and his style across, and if we can take advantage of them being a work in progress, then that's exactly what we have to do."
‘They can say what they want’ - Reedijk
Reedijk brushed aside his opposite number’s attempt to capitalise on dissatisfaction among the home fans, saying: “For me, they can say whatever they want to say. For me, it's that we do our job and focus on the things we have to do.
“And then let's see if he's right or not. Because I think then it will turn against them.
“For me I feel tremendous support from the supporters as well. I believe that we are doing things together and we need everybody, so also the fans tomorrow at Easter Road
“This is my job, it starts to get results and entertain the fans. If this happens then it will automatically happen. I will focus on what I have to focus on and then eventually this will happen.”
Reporting that McGrath and Mayor are “both back in the squad”, Reedijk added: “Nathan Lowe got an injury from the last match. The same counts for Devaney, he got an injury through this red card, unfortunate one, and during training Callum Wright is also out.
“I don't know how bad they are yet. The first sights on Callum I cannot say yet because it happened late in the week. Nathan and Devaney are mid-term I think. I'm not a doctor so it's around a few weeks I think.”