We are currently three points adrift of Partick Thistle at the bottom of the league but given our recent record of picking up one point from twenty-seven, we could easily be in a much worse position. While a victory looks unlikely this weekend, a good performance and another point on the board could give the boys a much needed boost and start our long overdue comeback.
Unfortunately, we are still without three key players and Terry Butcher will have to play around with the limited squad he has available. Scott Leitch misses the last match of his three game ban and McFadden and Lasley are still suffering from injuries. McFadden has resumed light training but still has difficulty in participating in ball work. If he returns, it will be a major gamble for Terry Butcher and a significant sign of our desperation.
While we did lose last week the defence looked relatively secure for the middle part of the match. It would be a major surprise if at least one change was not made though and Dougie Ramsay looks a certainty to be dropped from his right back slot. David Cowan has looked solid wherever he has played for us and he should be a more than adequate replacement.
The strikers have been giving us some selection problems and sadly not because they are all on form. Dirk Lehmann is a certain starter but Khaled Kemas’ place must be in doubt. He was ineffective in the half hour he played last week and Stevie Ferguson’s energy and pace may prove useful when we are hitting on the break away from home.
We last met Hibs at Fir Park when they were winless and bottom of the table. They took three points but they outcome could so easily have been different if Ferguson’s shot had gone in off the post and if McFadden had not missed a sitter. Perhaps it is our turn to steal an undeserved win when we are in dire need of a result and with Thistle having a home game against Aberdeen, our revival could not come at a better time.
Will we be able to win? Probably not but this could be the game things change – 1-1 might be worth a bet.