29-07-2015, 22:31
Hibs host Second Division Montrose, The Gable Endies, in the first round of the League Cup at 3pm on Saturday.
Montrose finished 10 points adrift of East Stirling and Berwick Rangers last season and only survived in the league system by beating Brora Rangers 3-2 on aggregate in the play-offs. They are managed by Paul Hegarty, one of Dundee United's star defenders in their heyday. Their latest signings are from the local Junior team and many of their players have Dundee FC and Brechin City connections.
After their extremely disappointing exit in the Petrofac Cup at the hands of Rangers last weekend, Hibs could do with a confidence boost before next weekend's opening Championship fixtures. No doubt Messrs Bartley, Carmichael and Keating are regular attendees at East Mains, but we've seen neither hide nor hair of them at Easter Road. It looks like Jordon Forster will not make this tie, so I'd be inclined to put Hanlon in the back line and Bartley in midfield. The only way he'll get full fitness is to play him in matches. I'd also like to see Reguero get a run of games as first choice keeper. Unlike some others, I'd also like to see Scott Allan in the first team. If he shows any disinterest in playing for Hibs, then I'd let him sit in the stand. Let him decide in front of the fans whether or not he wants to earn his wages. That way it's his decision and he can't try to put the blame on anyone else.
If the injury situation stays the same, my team would be:-
Reguero,
Gray, Hanlon, Fontaine, Stevenson,
Fyvie, Bartley, Stanton, Scott Allan,
Cummings, Lewis Allan.
Substitutes - Harris, Martin, Malonga.
Montrose finished 10 points adrift of East Stirling and Berwick Rangers last season and only survived in the league system by beating Brora Rangers 3-2 on aggregate in the play-offs. They are managed by Paul Hegarty, one of Dundee United's star defenders in their heyday. Their latest signings are from the local Junior team and many of their players have Dundee FC and Brechin City connections.
After their extremely disappointing exit in the Petrofac Cup at the hands of Rangers last weekend, Hibs could do with a confidence boost before next weekend's opening Championship fixtures. No doubt Messrs Bartley, Carmichael and Keating are regular attendees at East Mains, but we've seen neither hide nor hair of them at Easter Road. It looks like Jordon Forster will not make this tie, so I'd be inclined to put Hanlon in the back line and Bartley in midfield. The only way he'll get full fitness is to play him in matches. I'd also like to see Reguero get a run of games as first choice keeper. Unlike some others, I'd also like to see Scott Allan in the first team. If he shows any disinterest in playing for Hibs, then I'd let him sit in the stand. Let him decide in front of the fans whether or not he wants to earn his wages. That way it's his decision and he can't try to put the blame on anyone else.
If the injury situation stays the same, my team would be:-
Reguero,
Gray, Hanlon, Fontaine, Stevenson,
Fyvie, Bartley, Stanton, Scott Allan,
Cummings, Lewis Allan.
Substitutes - Harris, Martin, Malonga.
Cabbage is still good for you