We can fire a silver bullet
Newell: Time for Hibs to take final step
JOE NEWELL is confident Hibs are knocking on the door and this could finally be the year when they deliver silverware again.
Jack Ross’ side sit second in the league and entertain St Johnstone this weekend after booking a semi-final slot against Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup.
Newell has seen a steady improvement in the Easter Road outfit and after two semi-finals, a final and third spot last season he knows they are ready to kick on again.
Newell admitted: “Since the gaffer has come in our record in cups has been brilliant, without obviously winning one.
“It shows the talent in the squad to always get there or thereabouts, how serious we do take them. Obviously our record and build-up in the qualifying rounds is good.
“It shows we really want to get there and do the job.
“We are just missing that actual win so hopefully this is the year.”
Hibs can now look forward to a Hampden visit in November and he knows most of the pressure will be on Steven Gerrard’s side – who have still to win a domestic cup.
The midfielder acknowledged: “The pressure will be more on them because they’ll be favourites but within ourselves not really because we are still wanting to win and obviously we’re not going to go there and roll over.
“We would’ve been playing either of the Old Firm or the team that beat us last year so any one of the three wouldn’t have been an easy game. “Whatever. Bring it on.” Before then it is St Johnstone this weekend and it was the double cupwinners who denied them cup glory twice last season.
The Englishman said: “Obviously they did us last year, didn’t they? We know all about them, their strengths and also their threats.
“Hopefully we have learned a few lessons on how to approach the game.
“If I could tell you that I’d be in charge. I don’t know. I ain’t got a clue.
“I don’t know what it was, but they’re a hard team to play against.
“They’re resolute, their very togetherness was really good last year.
“It was just an unbelievable year for them to do the double.
“All credit to them, they fully deserved it. We didn’t deserve it. “So I’m not sure, but hopefully we get a bit of revenge on Sunday.
“We are going to be tired, it’s a quick turnaround but a game at home we’re expecting to win.”
Scott Allan played a starring role in Thursday’s Premier Sports Cup win at Dundee United.
It was the playmaker’s first domestic start after he almost left Hibs on deadline night for St Mirren’s Jamie McGrath.
Newell added: “Everyone in the country knows Scotty’s talent.
“Obviously the deadline thing that nearly happened shows the character he has to just come back in and shows the trust the manager has in him because he knows all the ability he’s got.
“He’s come in, scored, set one up and a good performance.
“When he’s on it and he’s on form you know he is going to pop up with chances and create things which is good to have.”
It shows we really want to get there and do the job JOE NEWELL ON HIBS’ FINE CUP RECORD
THE SPFL has announced a fixture reshuffle for accommodate December to in the teams the semi-finals involved of the Premier Sports Cup. November Matches will be on 20/21 so league now switched to games are host Dundee midweek. on Hibs will Tuesday, 17, Celtic are December at Ross County next day and the St Rangers meet Johnstone that same evening at Ibrox.