Hibs midfielder Scott Allan could make a shock return in Hampden semi-final

Scott Allan is poised to make a welcome return to the Hibs squad for this weekend’s trip to Hampden.
Scott Allan returned to first team training last month and is now expected to feature in the Hibs squad for this weekend's Betfred Cup semi-final. Photo by Mark Scates/SNS GroupScott Allan returned to first team training last month and is now expected to feature in the Hibs squad for this weekend's Betfred Cup semi-final. Photo by Mark Scates/SNS Group
Scott Allan returned to first team training last month and is now expected to feature in the Hibs squad for this weekend's Betfred Cup semi-final. Photo by Mark Scates/SNS Group

The talismanic midfielder has been sidelined by a personal illness for most of this season, featuring in only the first five matches of the Premiership campaign.

The 29-year-old’s last appearance came on August 30, against Aberdeen, but since then one of the more mercurial passers in the Scottish game has undergone his own battle to get himself back into contention.

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But, ahead of the Betfred Cup semi-final, manager Jack Ross has revealed that the fans’ favourite, who is in his third spell with Hibs, could play a part in helping the Leith side through to their first cup final since that Scottish Cup triumph in 2016.

“Yeah, he'll be in the squad but it's been difficult. The plan was for him to be involved in bounce matches over the last week or two and for a variety of reasons, particularly with the weather as well, that's not been possible, so we've tailored a little bit of our training over the past week to try and accommodate some of his needs as well, in terms of boxes he would need to tick. So we're pretty much there with him.

“It's good, it’s nice to have him back and pretty much there which is good and as I said, he'll be included in the squad.

“I think Scott's abilities are well documented and that's why he's always attracted so much attention in Scottish football, because of his ability to see passes that not many people can see. It's not easy to find or replace players like that. If I was trying to source one at this stage from outwith the club it wouldn't be easy so the fact that we've had one here and the fact that he is nearly back to being fully fit and available is a bonus for us.”

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But with such rich competition for places these days, Ross said that not everyone will be able to play their part.

“For the first time this season we may have boys not stripped, which has not really happened this season, apart from when they have had injuries. We may actually have two or three fit and healthy boys not stripped for the first time this season.”

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