Hibs kick off their season 2023-24 Scottish Cup campaign tomorrow with a trip to play Forfar in a fourth-round tie that sees the Easter Road side travel north as heavy favourites. But the visitors are still short on numbers for the resumption of competitive football following the winter shutdown.
With Chris Cadden, Adam Le Fondre and Jake Doyle-Hayes not yet in contention for game time, and Harry McKirdy being viewed as an impact sub, Nick Montgomery doesn't have many options as he pulls together a starting XI. Here's how we think he'll tackle this first step on - he hopes - the road to Hampden:
1. GK David Marshall 6/10
Shouldn’t have been this busy. But Hibs needed him. He kept them in the tie more than once.
2. RB Rory Whittaker 5/10
Found very little room going forward. And struggled in a back four who conceded far too many chances.
3. CB Will Fish 5/10
All those EFL Championship clubs apparently weighing up offers for the on-loan Manchester United defender might not have been overly impressed.
4. CB Paul Hanlon 5/10
Club captain was as culpable as anyone in a defence made to look very ordinary by a League Two attack.