Hibs head to the plastic pitch at Falkirk tomorrow knowing that they need a result to sustain even their outside hopes of pulling off back-to-back European qualification. And the surface is definitely a factor in David Gray’s selection thoughts, with Josh Mulligan - back in full-contact training for over a week now - unlikely to be risked, given the potential risk of complication following ankle surgery back in February.
Sitting just two points clear of John McGlynn’s side in fifth place, the visitors are still technically chasing down Motherwell in fourth. With only the Scottish Premiership top four guaranteed a crack at Europe next season that matters.
But the side finishing fifth WILL go into the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round if Celtic beat Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden on May 23. So the stakes are high enough, even taking the Steelmen out of the equation.
With all of that in mind, and with Jamie McGrath suspended following last weekend’s red card challenge on Celtic’s Alistair Johnston, here’s how we think Hibs will line up:
1. GK Raphael Sallinger
Straight back into the starting XI after serving his one-match suspension for that moment of red card madness in the Edinburgh derby. | SNS Group
2. RCB Warren O'Hora
Probably the most consistent member of that Hibs back line in a season of ups and downs. | SNS Group
3. CB Rocky Bushiri
Grant Hanley is back from his two-game suspension. But Rocky probably hangs onto the starting spot. | SNS Group
4. LCB Jack Iredale
Falkirk's direct style on a bouncy plastic pitch probably swings selection away from Jordan Obita and towards Iredale, a more natural centre-half. | SNS Group