Hibs’ Head Coach Alan Stubbs is confident that his players are capable of taking all three points against Dumbarton at Easter Road tomorrow, although he is taking nothing for granted particularly as the ‘Sons won the corresponding fixture on the first day of the season.
Since then however, apart from a narrow defeat to Rangers and a 1-1 draw with St Mirren, Hibs have been in fine form and now sit in third place in the Championship.
Speaking ahead of the game, Stubbs told Hibernian TV: “We are looking forward to the Dumbarton game. Dumbarton have players that can hurt us on their day but it’s about how we approach the game and how we deal with it. The players were as me at the result of our last encounter. I don’t want to keep going on about it but there were contributing factors at that game. You can see from the performances and results that we have moved on.
“On Saturday we are hoping to be a very different outfit and we are ready for what Dumbarton bring. They started the season well then they had a little bit of a dip in terms of results that they have had a few positive results. Their performance against Rangers is one that they will be happy with although not the result.
“We know they have threats but we have threats as well. If we perform to our capabilities we have a good chance of getting the three points.”
Hibs’ last game was a 3-0 win away from home against Queen of the South so you would expect that Stubbs would have been disappointed that the international break could upset the players’ rhythm however the opposite is true: He continued: “We’ve had a little bit of a break with the internationals and in terms of bringing bodies back into the fold it’s been good.
“It’s been a welcomed one because before the break till now, we’ve welcomed back ‘Keats’ (James Keating) ‘Faz’ (Frazer Fyvie) ‘Izzy’ (Islam Feruz) and Jordan (Forster) and Farid (El Alagui) and Jamie (Insall) have had a game and they have been with the first team also so from that point of view it’s been very good for us.”
After Dumbarton, Hibs travel to Falkirk in midweek before facing on form Raith Rovers at Starks Park, then Rangers at Easter Road on the first of November. After that Stubbs’ men will face Dundee United in the quarter finals of the League Cup and the Hibs’ boss is looking forward to the challenge. He continued: “When you are winning games of football you welcome games thick and fast so yes, it’s going to be a testing period of games coming up but one that is going to be a good experience for us and one that we are all looking forward to.
“The good this about it is that the squad is in a much healthier position going into these games and it gives us options.”
Fans attending the game tomorrow will have the chance to see the new frontage at the West Stand.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
