Former Hibs star Ivan Sproule has called on one of Lee Johnson's current crop to step up against Rangers - like the hat-trick hero did all those years ago.
The Easter Road side have been on poor run of form and results pre-World Cup and after a five-week period to rest up and work hard behind the scenes, the capital club are ready to get back up and running with a clash under the lights at Ibrox as Michael Beale takes to the dugout for the first time in competitive action.
The Hibees are without key man Martin Boyle for the season but have been boosted by the return to action for marquee summer signing Aiden McGeady and top striker Kevin Nisbet. Both could feature at Ibrox with Sproule calling on the visitors to show an 'attacking flair'. With Boyle out, he has also called on a 'rough diamond' to go out and make a name for themselves in Govan - just like he did in a memorable match still talked about to this day.
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Speaking to Edinburgh Evening News, he said: “Hibs will have to have a way to go and attack this game. Rangers haven’t been in the best form before the World Cup break either, so there’s pressure on both teams. For me, you can’t go to Ibrox and defend for ninety minutes because they will pick you off and there will only be one outcome.
“You have to have a go and, for me, as a former player then and a fan now, doing that is the Hibs’ way. I’m not saying that they should go gung-ho and be reckless – there are ways to do it – but you have to have attacking flair.”
He continued: “Martin Boyle is injured, so someone else needs to step up – just like I stepped up all those years ago. Hopefully there’s another rough diamond in there who can go out and make a name for themselves at Ibrox.
“It’s not all down to managers, coaches, and what tactics they use. Sometimes you just need a player, or maybe two, to show that they’ve got something about them and lead you to a result.”
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