‘Hibs will play long game for promotion’

HIBERNIAN left-back Lewis Stevenson aims to use all of his play-off experience in Wednesday night’s clash with Raith Rovers.

Stevenson has played in two unsuccessful end-of-season campaigns for Hibs, which saw them relegated at the hands of Hamilton and then fall to Rangers at the first hurdle last year.

This year, Hibs enter the play-offs at the quarter-final stage and Stevenson is playing the long game.

“You have to remember it’s over two legs, it’s totally different from any cup format we play in,” the 28-year-old said.

“You have to make sure you are in the tie for the second leg. It’s going to be hard going at Kirkcaldy but we are looking to go there and get a decent result.

“Raith are on a good run but we have won twice there already this season.”

Hibs are looking to meet their fans’ expectations after finishing third behind Falkirk but Stevenson is sure they can cope with the mental and physical demands.

“There has always been pressure at Hibs, since I have been here,” he said. “It is obviously a big club and people think there’s pressure on us, but there are other teams in the play-offs as well and we all have the same aim: to get promotion.

“The pressure is on everybody and it’s about who copes with it best.”

Hibs also have the William Hill Scottish Cup final against Rangers to fit into what they hope will be a hectic schedule over the next three weeks but their runs to both major finals has given them experience of playing two games each week.

“We did it the last month and a half and we are in the zone now where we can cope with that,” Stevenson said. “We know what works recovery-wise and we know how to prepare for games. We know what we have got to do.”