Hibs Head Coach Jack Ross will make ‘significant’ changes to his starting XI for tonight’s Betfred League Cup group stage match with Brora Rangers at Easter Road.
Four of the changes are forced due to international call-ups for Alex Gogic (Cyprus), Ryan Porteous (Scotland) Ofir Marciano (Israel) and Josh Doig (Scotland Under-19s) however it was always his intention to bring in squad players for the next three games.
It’s not clear whether new signing Kyle Magennis will start tonight following his move from St Mirren although the midfielder claims to be ready for selection.
Former team mate Stephen McGinn is also looking for his debut for the club.
Ross insists that he is not taking the competition lightly and is determined to win the group and progress in the tournament.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference Ross told Hibernian TV: “The competition is important to us and we want to progress and try and win it.
“The only extra challenge for us is that it’s in an international break which is unusual.
“We have four absentees this week, Alex (Gogic), Ryan (Porteous),Josh (Doig) and Ofir (Marciano) and that makes it a bit more challenging but even taking that aside it would still have been our intention to use our squad over these next three games so we will make significant changes.
“I am excited about that because we have a group of players who I keep mentioning how well they train every day so the team that takes the pitch, while it will be much changed will still be a good one and will still be one that I think will play at a level we have set for the season so far.
“This competition comes at a good time because it gives those players a good opportunity, playing under the floodlights at Easter Road is an exciting match for them an there is a good feeling around the group.
“The team that are playing know they are playing and are looking forward to it.
“The League Cup is a chance for is to have success and win silverware but first and foremost it’s about winning these games and getting out of the group stages to go and win the competition.”
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.
