Hibs head coach David Gray says every game in the William Hill Premiership is now a final.
Hibs are still in a battle to qualify for European competition next season with three games remaining.
With Saturday’s opponents Falkirk having defeated Motherwell 1-0 last weekend, the gap between Hibs and John McGlynn’s side now stands at two points, meaning this weekend’s clash at the Falkirk Stadium is a high-stakes clash.
But Gray insists the players will be fully prepared and are expecting a tough game.
“You need to get the group back together again at the start of the week and remind the players of what is still possible this season, and make sure that we’re fully aware of the fact that we are at that point now where we can’t slip up,” Gray told Hibs TV.
“We need to give ourselves the best opportunity. We spoke about that. But there are three cup finals to go, and there’s not one more important than this weekend.
“Falkirk are two points behind us, and because we’ve not picked anything up in the last three games, it’s tightened up behind us.
“We need to go there and give a better account of ourselves than we did the last time we went to Falkirk.
“The level of performance needs to be better from the last time we went [to Falkirk], but the players are well aware of what lies ahead of them. Training has been really good, and there’s been a real edge to it because of that.
“Everybody knows the game sells itself for the magnitude of the game and what’s at stake for both sides.
“They’ve obviously done very well this season.
“The last time we went there, I thought Falkirk were good on the day, but I also think our first-half performance wasn’t where it needed to be. We got punished for that, and we’re aware of that, but we’re also aware of what’s let us down in the last few weeks as well.
“So we need to make sure the players are well aware of what they’re going to face, as it’s not as if it’s the first time we’ve gone to Falkirk on the astroturf.
“They know what’s coming as well, and we’ll make sure they’re ready.
“Everything’s been geared up towards this weekend because of the magnitude of the game, and the players are just looking forward to it now.”
Gray also provided a squad update ahead of the game.
He added: “There are three players coming back from suspension. Grant [Hanley] had a two-match ban, so he’s back, as are Rafa [Raphael Sallinger] and Felix [Passlack],”
“Obviously Jamie [McGrath] has gone the other way, so he’s got a two-match ban, so he will miss the next two games, but we’ve got more numbers this week.”
