MX23RW : Friday, September 3 11:04:05| >> :600:158443:158443:

Jack Ross confident Hibernian are perfectly prepared for Rijeka showdown

Jack Ross confident Hibernian are perfectly prepared for Rijeka showdown
© Reuters
The Edinburgh side were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their third qualifier at Easter Road last week.

Jack Ross believes Hibernian flew to Croatia for their Europa Conference League clash against Rijeka on Thursday in the "best possible frame of mind".

The Edinburgh side were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their third qualifier at Easter Road last week, the only blip in five competitive games this season.

Hibs have won their other four fixtures including home and away wins in the previous qualifier against Andorran side Santa Coloma, which gives Ross confidence for the match in the Stadion Rujevica.

The Hibs boss will have Scotland striker Kevin Nisbet back in contention after missing the 3-0 cinch Premiership win over Ross County at the weekend with a knock.

"We feel as if, in the main, we carried momentum from last season into this season although the last game (Scottish Cup final defeat) was disappointing for us," Ross said.

"It was important that we started this season in a positive way, we have done that, we did it in pre-season and in the early-season results but also our form has been good as well.

"We have travelled here in the best possible frame of mind in terms of where the players are at performance-wise.

"We went into the first game with that clear-headedness about what we wanted to do and I think we produced a performance that reflected that.

"It will be the same for us tomorrow in terms of preparation and I am looking forward to playing away in Europe in front of a crowd with an atmosphere as in the previous round there was really no one in attendance.

"So that will be different but I have a squad of players who are well used to playing in front of big crowds at difficult venues, through the league and international games, so I think they will relish it tomorrow."

Ross, in his first foray into Europe as a manager, believes the scrapping of the rule which declares away goals in Europe count as double in the event of a draw lends itself to more open and expansive football.

The former St Mirren and Sunderland boss said: "Obviously I can't speak from great experience of it but already it seems to point towards that being the case.

"If you look at this game for example, would it be more troublesome us coming with the away goal rule (still in place)?

"It would be obviously so I think the first leg almost becomes redundant in terms of the way the game is played.

"I definitely think it is a positive rule change, it allows the games, particularly in the second leg, to be more open and attractive."

ID:458995:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3544:

Click here for more stories about Hibernian

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Hibernian manager Jack Ross pictured in October 2020
Read Next:
Jack Ross happy with Hibs' ruthless first-half display against Ross County
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
Read more about Hibernian Football

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Hibernian4310104610
2Hearts431073410
3RangersRangers43018359
4Aberdeen42206338
5Motherwell42116517
6Celtic4202133106
7Dundee UnitedDundee Utd420224-26
8St Johnstone403112-13
9Ross County402238-52
10Dundee4022411-72
11St Mirren4022310-72
12Livingston400429-70
Olympic medal table header
CountryGold medalSilver MedalBronze MedalT
ChinaChina855045180
Great BritainGreat Britain373138106
Olympics flagParalympic Athletes from Russia332843104
United StatesUnited States32332388
UkraineUkraine23442693

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!