Hibernian Faces Pressure in Premier Sports Cup Clash Against Ross County
David Gray faces what Scott Allan calls a “huge game” on Saturday as Hibernian head to Ross County in the Premier Sports Cup, with the club’s season already carrying a hint of jeopardy.
For Allan, a former Easter Road favourite who knows the pressure of the place, there is no point dressing it up.
“There's no other way to look at it from a Hibs perspective,” he told the BBC Scotland Football Podcast, with his old side chasing a place in the semi-finals and trying to shake off a bruising few weeks.
Hibs have stumbled badly. Back-to-back Premiership defeats to Hearts and St Johnstone have stalled their league campaign, and a late collapse at home to Gent ripped away their shot at the Conference League. The cups, once a bonus, suddenly feel like a lifeline.
“There's a lot riding on the cups, with Hibs having been disappointing in the last two years,” said Allan, who had three separate spells at the club and understands exactly how restless the support can become.
The assignment in Dingwall comes with a warning label. County are unbeaten in League One and brimming with confidence, led by a familiar face. Brian Graham, now 38 and once a Hibs striker himself, has rattled in nine goals in all competitions and shows no sign of slowing.
“It will be difficult against a team that is winning games, with a striker that is scoring goals,” Allan admitted. “They have a strong squad for a club in League One.”
The danger is obvious: a top-flight side low on confidence walking into the path of a lower-league team that has forgotten how to lose.
Allan still backs Hibs to find a way.
“I think it could be tricky, but I still believe Hibs will have enough to get through the tie,” he said. “There is some real quality in the team. Whether they are getting the best out of them at the moment is another question.”
That last line hangs over Gray’s weekend. The talent is there. The stage is set. Now Hibs have to prove they can still be a cup team when it matters most.
