Hibernian is at its lowest with a host of players missing due to injuries and international calls ahead of their inaugural meeting with the Cove Rangers
Jack Ross’s squad were stretched to their limits ahead of the trip to Balmoral Stadium, with four players on an international assignment and Jamie Murphy adding to a growing injury list after limping from Wednesday’s win over the Brora Rangers
The Easter Road side kicked off their Betfred Cup campaign with 3-1 success against the brave Cattachs in midweek, but are expected to face a tougher test against the Ligue 2 winners of the last season
There are a lot of familiar faces in Cove’s setup, with Paul Hartley joined in the technical area by Alan Combe and Fraser Fyvie patrolling the midfield
We’re unlikely to see Kyle Magennis early on, but the signing deadline could be set for more action than Wednesday’s cameo role allowed, while Dillon Barnes will continue in goal
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A lack of numbers could force Ross’s hand to start some of his bigger guns, with Martin Boyle, Christian Doidge and Kevin Nisbet all coming off the bench against Brora
It’s a nice little lot, a bit like an Aberdonian Ainslie park but without a huge swimming pool
No Fraser Fyvie for Cove as former Hibs hero is out due to injury
It looks like David Gray and Lewis Stevenson will line up alongside Darren McGregor in a third back
Either that or it’s Stephen McGinn teaming up with the man who never gives the ball
Jack Ross admitted he was baffled by the « conflicting » rules for players involved in positive coronavirus tests after teenage full-back Josh Doig was forced into self-isolation for 14 days during a Scotland Under-19 clash against England
The Easter Road boss, who lost midfielder Alex Gogic to a « false positive » test ahead of the home loss to Aberdeen in August, called the rules « strange » citing the gap between the how the public and the so-called ‘sports bubbles’ are treated
« We can’t be different when it suits you, then the same when it suits you This is the frustration I had with it I think there are a lot of people in other circles who start to arrive at the same stage
« There is a lack of consistency and clarity and this is what makes people frustrated and this is just another example for us »
There are a few familiar faces in Cove’s setup these days, with former Hibs goalkeepers coach Alan Combe joining Paul Hartley in the dugout
Meanwhile, Scottish Cup winner Fraser Fyvie faces a race against time to get fit after injuring his knee in a friendly against Dundee a fortnight ago
Stephen McGinn spoke to Edinburgh Live about his brother Paul joining younger brother John in the Scottish squad this week
« John has reached an incredible height, but the path that Paul has taken is so different »
« He was part-time, worked in different trades and seeing him reach this level is a huge source of pride »
Hibernian will have just 15 players available for Saturday’s Betfred Cup meeting with Cove Rangers as Jack Ross’ side are hit with a slew of injuries and international callbacks
Defender Paul McGinn joins Alex Gogic, Ofir Marciano and Ryan Porteous to represent his national team after Steve Clarke rewarded his strong start to the season with a first call-up in the Scottish setup
However, Jamie Murphy joined Scott Allan and Joe Newell on the injury list after limping from Wednesday’s 3-1 win over the Brora Rangers with a hamstring problem, while Josh Doig was forced to isolate themselves after the abandonment of Scotland under -19 clash with England on Thursday
« Jamie Murphy will be missing in the next two games, but hopefully he will be fine after that
« We’re only 15 now and that includes younger players, so we’re as tense as we will be this season »
An early start on a Saturday is always compensated by seeing the mighty Hibees in action, right?
Maybe not, but we’re on our way to a new stadium this afternoon for what should be an intriguing inaugural meeting with the Cove Rangers
Hibernien FC, Cove Rangers FC, Rangers FC, Paul Hartley, Jack Ross, Scottish League Two
World news – GB – Cove Rangers v Hibs LIVE: Team news and updates from the Betfred Cup clash
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
