Hibs head coach David Gray is determined to bring momentum and a ‘feel-good factor’ into Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup against Partick Thistle at Easter Road.
Gray’s side claimed a vital clean sheet and 0-0 draw away in Skopje, North Macedonia, which was enough to ensure safe progression into the UEFA Conference League Play-Off Round for the second consecutive season.
Up next, Hibs host Partick Thistle in the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup,
“Thursday night was huge, and that feel-good factor and the confidence that comes with that, you can feel it building within the squad,” Gray told hibernianfc.co.uk.
Honours even in the Edinburgh derby as the game finishes 1-1 at Easter Road Stadium, Edinburgh, UK.
PHOTO: Ian Jacobs
“We’re going to need everybody within the squad because of the games coming thick and fast.
“Everything we set out to do at the start of the season, in terms of the opportunity to try and genuinely win something, this is the first test for that domestically in the League Cup.
“It’ll be a tough test at home, but we want to try and progress in every competition, so we’re going to need everybody ready to go.”
The Hibs Head Coach has already utilised his squad extensively during the opening weeks of the campaign, with the demanding schedule requiring everyone in the squad to be ready when called upon.
Gray says that will continue on Sunday, with the strongest possible XI selected based on the condition and availability of his players.
“You need everybody in the squad, I say that all the time. You need everyone to be fit and available. It just helps keep people feeling part of it all as well.
“I certainly will be changing again on Sunday, but it won’t be changes thinking that we’re taking a game lightly, not at all.
“It’ll be based on a variety of factors – the aftermath from Thursday night, getting the boys back, getting them to recover, and seeing where everybody’s at.
“From there we will be putting together the strongest XI we possibly can to make sure we give ourselves the best chance of getting through.”
Standing in Hibs’ way is a Partick Thistle side that has been among the Championship’s consistent performers in recent seasons.
“I think they’ve been very successful in the Championship, very consistent for a number of seasons now. So it’ll be a real tough test, as we know.
“They play really good football, they’re very dangerous and have a certain way of playing. They have good wingers who are very direct, so we need to be ready for that and I expect them to come and have a real go.
“But it’s one the players should be looking forward to – a home tie in the cup, which we haven’t had for a while – so we have to make sure we give ourselves the best chance of progressing.”
