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Forster On Falkirk & Gray Boost

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Jordan Forster has said that the Hibernian players must head into the game against Falkirk with clear heads and not be looking for any revenge for earlier results against them this season.

In quotes carried by the Edinburgh News Forster more than admits that Falkirk have been our bogey side this year as they have beaten us twice in the league, come from three one down to take a point at Easter Road and put us out of the Scottish Cup at the semi final stage – but this next fixture can guarantee us second place in the league and that’s what Forster wants everyone focused on.

‘We`d gone into our game against Alloa intent on winning regardless of how Rangers got on and it will be exactly the same again this weekend. What has happened, though, is that it is now in our own hands which is a good thing. Win again and we finish second.’

With Falkirk being close to taking the win against Rangers itself, Forster went on to say that the draw for us just means we truly know our second place fate is in our own hands and that’s exactly how the players would’ve preferred it anyway as it means we know for sure that a win would do it.

‘I`d gone to retrieve the ball for a throw-in and one of our fans told me Falkirk were two up. We were winning 3-1 at that point so it sounded good. But, regardless of the fact all players and managers always say they are going for the win, there could come the situation where it`s 1-1 with 85 minutes gone, and there`s that subconscious thing, you become defensive in trying to ensure you hold onto what you`ve got and suddenly there`s an edgy feel to it all. So, in a way, it does help us, it puts the focus entirely on winning. On the day it`s down to how we approach the game and how we play. The boys will all be fired up for it.’

With the defender being asked if there was a sense of irony that Falkirk did us a favour after the semi final, and the fact that having failed to take our chances in the cup we then went on to score seven goals in the next two games, he had to admit that’s football and you can’t put to much stock in what might have beens or thinking about what goals you’d trade off where in previous games.

You just have to focus on the game in front of you and hope you do enough game by game to get the results you want.

‘That`s football. We`ve had a few games this season where we`ve created a number of chances and not scored and others where we`ve played poorly and scored a few. Sometimes games go for you, sometimes they don`t. I think that`s why it`s such a fascinating sport and why so many people around the world love the game. It`s the way the cookie crumbles. Unfortunately we lost the semi-final but now we are focused on winning Saturday and finishing second.’

Ending the part of the interview talking about Falkirk specifically, he went on to say that revenge is never the right word because it means you get wrapped up in the past rather than focusing on what you can do in the now.

‘I think revenge is a very strong emotion. You can get caught up in what has happened in the past but if you go looking for revenge your mindset is, I think, wrong, your focus is on the wrong aspects. We`ll give Falkirk the respect they deserve. They`ve been a hard team for us to play against this season but as soon as the whistle goes we`ll be confident of getting the three points.’

As for Gray, the right back has missed the last six matches with a hamstring injury that was expected to keep him out for six weeks, but he has now returned to training ahead of schedule and could be in line for a very unexpected return to contention against Falkirk.

Head coach Alan Stubbs confirmed to the Daily Record that he was now back with the lads on the training pitch.

‘The caution is not to rush David back as it is only four weeks since he sustained the injury. But we are really happy with how David has responded to treatment.”

Stubbs also confirmed that he was hopeful of welcoming back defender Keith Watson and midfielders Fraser Fyvie and Dylan McGeouch for the game as well following their knocks.

Watson has been out of action for three weeks with a hamstring injury of his own, and Fyvie sat out the Alloa match with a hamstring strain, and McGeouch missed the game also following an ankle problem.

‘Keith is only a couple of days behind David so that`s good news. Fraser and Dylan were more of a precaution than anything. Fraser`s got a bit of a tight hamstring so we didn`t want to take any risks and Dylan was feeling a bit of pain on his ankle. It was a chance to let it settle down for a few days and then we can see whether we want to risk him. I fully expect Fraser to be fine for Saturday.’

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