Hibs Preview

A double from David Clarkson was enough to secure three points against Hibs in September and a repeat would be very welcome.

Steven Craig’s knee injury forced a change to the starting line-up at Firhill last weekend and he could be joined on the sick list by David Partridge who limped off with a groin strain. It could be that Alex Burns starts up front and that Paul Quinn could find a place in the back four.

Stephen Pearson will be relatively fresh after his forty five minute spell with the Scotland Future Squad on Wednesday. He had an early bath in the game against Turkey and he joins the list of players who are in need of a good game to restore their flagging morale.

No matter which players get the call on Saturday the home crowd will expect an improvement to the poor performances that characterised their efforts at Rugby Park and Firhill in the last two outings. Terry Butcher has made it clear that that he was “disappointed” at the recent showings and it is important that a stop be put the mini slump.

The opposition are not without their troubles. They have had three consecutive defeats to Hearts, Rangers and Aberdeen (the last result matches our loss to Thistle in the Embarrassment Stakes!). Their home support is ebbing away and it is not expected that the stewards in the South Stand will be very busy on Saturday.

We are currently four points and four places above Hibs in the league table. There seems to be no reason to suppose that the gap will be changed by Saturday evening. Get your money on a 1-1 draw.