Falkirk away. A fixture that hasn’t been on anyone’s Scottish Premiership dance card for quite a while now. But all the more dangerous for the air of novelty around it.
We can pretty much guarantee that David Gray will have his Hibs players absolutely laser focused on the challenge of containing and subduing John McGlynn’s side tomorrow night. With Saturday’s Premier Sports Cup loss to Rangers at Ibrox in the rear view mirror, and next weekend’s league fixture at Celtic Park set to one side for at least another 24 hours are so, this game has to become the most important thing in Hibernian’s world - if even for one night only.
Gray will feel some need to rotate his squad. If only to share the game time between players who deserve to be part of the starting XI.
But his first priority is winning a game that, as he points out, would further establish his team’s position in third place, taking their tally from the opening five games of this SPFL campaign to nine points. Pretty decent, by anyone’s measure.
Expect to see a strong starting line-up, then. And don’t be surprised if he turns to his bench in search of match winners, if the situation arises. Here’s how we think Hibs will line up for this one:
9. CAM Jamie McGrath
Doesn't seem the type to need a rest. But Gray has MULTIPLE options, including Junior Hoilett, Josh Campbell and Rudi Molotnikov, for this role. | SNS Group
10. CF Martin Boyle
Still looked as dangerous as anyone on Saturday. And was desperately unlucky to see his opener at Ibrox disallowed. | SNS Group
11. CF Kieron Bowie
Capable of doing things that no-one else in the team can. Which is why he has become a fixture in the starting XI. But could you give him the night off, change the approach and punt record signing Thibault Klidje into an all-pace front two alongside Boyle? | SNS Group