Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Football: McLeish seeks belief from his Hibernian side

Saturday 21 February 1998 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

HIBERNIAN'S manager, Alex McLeish, wants his new charges to shake off any feelings of self-pity when they face Rangers at Easter Road. McLeish takes charge of the Premier Division's bottom club for the first time today after his move from Motherwell nine days ago.

"Hibs may be down at the bottom but I'm convinced there is enough ability in the squad to turn things around. But the players have got to want it," McLeish said.

McLeish will give a debut to the goalkeeper Bryan Gunn, who joined the club on a three-month loan deal this week from Norwich. There could also others change to the side.

Manny Omoyimni is likely to start on the bench for Dundee United at Dunfermline after joining them on a month's deal from West Ham. The 20- year-old Nigerian-born winger has been allowed to move to Tannadice in the short term by the Hammers manager, Harry Redknapp, to build up his fitness.

Celtic's head coach, Wim Jansen, views every game remaining this term as effectively being a cup final as his side aim for the treble of league and both domestic cups, having already won the Coca-Cola trophy.

The latest of these so-called finals sees second-placed Celtic take on Kilmarnock at Parkhead with Jansen looking for a repeat of Monday's determination and composure that brought a convincing 2-1 Scottish Cup win at Dunfermline.

"Every player needs to be really concentrated now for every match and I think they understand that is necessary as every game is a cup final for us now," the Dane said. "The way we have played recent games has been very good as we have put pressure on the opposition from the outset and that is important from our way of playing."

Today's opponents are Kilmarnock, whose manager, Bobby Williamson, hopes his side will bounce back from surrendering their hold on the Scottish Cup in a fourth-round defeat in this year's competition by Ayr. "It really does not matter if we go on to win our next five league games, it won't make up for that loss," he said. "But, having said that, we know we have just got to get on with it."

Elsewhere, Motherwell's caretaker manager, Jim Griffin, will take charge for the first, and probably last, time at home to title-chasing Hearts.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in