Since our Friday night fitba podcast from a couple of weeks ago I have had many conversations with a similar thread of comments regarding the “suicidal” tone used by my hibs colleagues from the show Craig and Connor. To be fair to both the show was recorded on the night that Talisman Scott Allan looked to be sealing a switch to the only club he ever wanted to play for ………………….Celtic?
That on top of a disappointing first league result to Dumbarton was surley going to test the patience of most supporters but I felt that there were reasons to be optimistic this season and can see no reason to think that the trip to Snake Mountain tomorrow cannot be the stage for our neighbours to set a marker for the remainder of the campaign.
A lot of the negative points have been exhausted and discussed to death by all but one big potential positive is how the whole team could become a stronger unit without the talented Allan. A silly prediction some would say given the number of assists provided last season by the playmaker but focusing the spotlight away from one mecurial player could allow the likes of fyvie and mcginn the opportunity to forge partnerships whilst also give Stubbs the impetus to work on a number of different variations of breaking down teams. It has to be said that too often last season, certain hibs players would stop moving when Allan received the ball and allow him to carry the ball 20-30 yards up the work.
The summer transfer activity from the club has brought about mixed feeling amongst the Easter Road faithful. The pedigree of player brought in seems to be of a sufficent quality to help drag the club back to the Scottish Premiership and in Henderson they arguably have the best young player in the division now but injury problems have not been in short supply since pre season started which has affected the chances of Alan Stubbs to work on getting a settled team to gel and avoid the the slow start that curbed the progress of the club this time last year.
When you look at the comings and goings over the summer though you can argue that the squad is stronger albeit a bit of cover at left and centre back would still be handy in my eyes. Tomorrows opponents have been lauded for their great start but under the surface the Ibrox club are going to need a lot of luck on the injury front to avoid a slump in form.
And what crumbs of comfort can I offer my friends making the trip on the M8 tomorow? Well Its simple stop the rampaging full backs and ensure that you set up with a midfield 5 that stiffles the clever movement of Holt and Law. There is the small issue of asking Malonga to put in a shift up top on his own but he does has that in his locker in the right enviroment and has been a thorn to Rangers in the past. Rangers will try and set a fast tempo from the start but if Stubbs can get his side to slow it down through a mix of astute defensive work and gamesmanship then it will all come down to whether Hibs can take the chances that come their way. A similar display to that of Hearts during our first trip last season to Ibrox would be perfect (minus the casual stuff in first 30 minutes)
And my prediction for tomorrow? 2-1 to the Hibbees with Fontaine grabbing the first goal
Monday Night Fitba 