[ritchiebaby]

The first of two matches that will determine Hibs' confidence for the rest of the season takes place on Saturday against Rangers that now has just as much team turmoil as board bedlam. The burning question is how will Rangers react to the departure of All McCoist and the promotion of Kenny McDowall? An underperforming Hibs v an underperforming Rangers will be a difficult one to predict. Strangely enough, I'd feel more confident at Ibrox, so a scoring draw might be considered a good result by both teams. The answer, as far as Hibs are concerned, is to keep the pressure on and give them a hard time right from the kick-off. We must score when we're on top and be on top form to have any chance of 3 points. We can do it and with the right attitude, we will do it.

Our recent settled defence is about be changed due to David Gray's groin injury, which might require surgery. Gray is one of Hibs brightest players who always carries a threat when he is going forward. Callum Booth is an able deputy, but will not carry that threat. On a positive note, Dylan McGeouch will hopefully be ready for a return in midfield to bolster our drive and determination.

As for Rangers, who really knows which Rangers team will turn up? They have good enough players, but continually blow hot and cold. Their more experienced men have struggled in the Championship so far and I feel the main threat will come from Aird and Law, who has already scored twice against Hibs this season, and is Rangers' top scorer with 6 goals.

My Hibs team:-
Oxley,
Booth, Fontaine, Hanlon, Stevenson,
Handling, McGeouch, Robertson, Scott Allan,
Cummings, Malonga.

It's probably too big a game to give Lewis Allan a start, but I'd have him in reserve for a real go at the Rangers back line in the last 15 minutes. My other substitutes would be Craig and Stanton.

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I should have added that the game is on Sky Sports, which explains the 12.15 kick-off.

[ritchiebaby]

That's the first part of the holiday double safely negotiated, with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Rangers. Two goals in 5 minutes from David Gray and Jason Cummings got us off to a perfect start and allowed us to dominate the game. another couple of goals midway through the second half from Scott Robertson and Liam Craig set the seal on an emphatic victory.

Alan Stubbs might not be playing all the players I would like to see on the pitch, but he has instilled a great deal of confidence and diligence into Hibs' play and that is the reason we are now reaping the rewards. A combination of a positive early start and goals is making life a lot easier for the team and fans alike. Congratulations to Alan and the boys for all their hard work!

For all Hibs' excellent play (perhaps because of it), Rangers were poor and offered very little resistance. Miller, Boyd, Black, Shiels, etc are all yesterday's men and are clearly not suited to the rigours of the Championship.

Now the team moves on to Tynecastle next weekend and Hibs, once again, have the chance to inflict the first defeat on Hearts. It'll take the same level of application and skill to do it, but there's absolutely no reason we can't do it.

GGTTH

[Lord Snooty]

We were sat in Costa Coffee when the first two goals went in. Though we would have to sit there supersticiously until full time. Luckily we got home and they got another couple. Good performance from the bits I saw.
Hearts next is it?

[Amelia Chaffinch]

The 3rd and 4th goals from Robertson and Craig were particularly good even though I originally thought Allan scored the 4th!

[Lord Snooty]

First one were a belter.

[ritchiebaby]

A prime example of an attacking full-back. As many Hibbies have said before, David Gray is an integral part of Hibs' success - and he loves playing against Rangers.

Hands off, Town!