Hibs season opener against Rangers in the Petrofac Cup takes place this Saturday in a match which will see some added spice with the on going Scott Allan transfer saga uppermost in people’s minds.
The clash between the two “big” Scottish Championship sides whom finished second and third in the division last season will be eagerly anticipated by both sets of fans with Hibs looking to see if they can start the season in the manner of which they played throughout the second period of last while the Ibrox outfit will make a first competitive outing under the new leadership of Mark Warburton.
Certainly the Easter Road side need no motivation for the clash with Rangers striker Martyn Waghorn (who?) claiming Hibs are a “basic” outfit reliant on Scott Allan whilst Warburton himself has said the Hibees are “hardly Real Madrid”.
Such arrogance is usually kept within a dressing room but it would appear by going public the Rangers newbies are playing to the hordes and trying to find favouritism within the Ibrox hordes.
On the playing front it would be a surprise to see any of the new arrivals featuring for Alan Stubbs side. James Keatings, Dan Carmichael and Marvin Bartley are all yet to be seen this pre season however the latter two could be in line for a place on the subs bench.
On the injury front, Dominique Malonga is a doubt following a midweek training injury whilst fellow striker Farid El Alagui is ruled out.
Whilst the Petrofac Cup has its doubters, a tasty clash with a rival outfit is always welcomed with the winners of this tie likely to be deemed favourites to lift the trophy alongside St Mirren, Falkirk and Queen of the South.
It’ll be interesting to see which formation Alan Stubbs starts with in Saturday’s match with many believing a 5-3-1-1 will be his preferred line up for the season ahead.
Rangers meanwhile will be looking to begin the Warburton era with victory and many were impressed with their short ball philosophy during the midweek defeat to Burnley although their lack of a cutting edge seems a worry.
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