ELECTRIC SHOCK 2
Jack backs high-voltage Hibs to strike Rangers down again
HIBS zapped Rangers with their high-voltage Hampden display – now Jack Ross says it is time his side proved lightning can strike twice in battles against the Old Firm.
The Easter Road men electrified the Leith support with last week’s stunning win over the rudderless champions as they marched into the final of the Premier Sports Cup on the back of a charged-up Martin Boyle hat-trick.
But Ross is betting on Gers being far more organised when they head east for tonight’s Premiership rematch now that Giovanni van Bronckhorst has taken over from caretaker Davie McCallum.
It’s four years since Hibs last recorded back-to-back wins over the Light Blues – and 14 since they managed to double up on Celtic.
But with confidence on full power after his side ended their five-game Premiership losing streak with Saturday’s St Johnstone win, Ross reckons this could be the time for his team to dish out another shock.
Ross said: “It’s not too often that the Old Firm lose consecutive games against the same opponent. For us, there’s a real significance in continuing to win league games and climbing the table irrespective of our opponent.
“It’s about the same approach to the game in terms of what we did to win that semi final and the intensity we played with. We need to repeat that.
“There has been a bit of an edge to the games in recent times and I’d expect this one to be the same.”
Hibs’ showdowns with the Ibrox men have proved to be feisty affairs and it wasn’t just the players going toe-to-toe.
Ross’ first encounter with Rangers after moving to Edinburgh back in 2019 proved an explosive affair as his No.2 John Potter ended up squaring up to Steven Gerrard’s backroom after Ryan Porteous’ red-card lunge on Borna
Barisic. Gers striker Fashion Sakala has stoked the fires again ahead of tonight’s clash by claiming the champions will be out for “revenge”.
However, Ross said: “We have probably dealt with quite a lot in this fixture in recent times.
“My first one was when the dugouts had a bit of a disagreement and it has gone on right through to the aftermath of recent games. There’s always been something involved in them.
“But I don’t mind it. The games have all been really good recently.
“I don’t mind Rangers players saying they want revenge – they’re not used to losing many games.
“Just as much as we wanted to put right the fact we hadn’t won any of those games previously when we felt we had played well but been on the wrong end of one or two decisions.
“Our motivation will be the same as theirs.”