The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Elgin warm to prospect of catching Hibees cold
● Wilson reckons City can take heart from Leithers’ Binos draw
Elgin City defender David Wilson believes the Black and Whites are capable of catching Premiership side Hibernian off-guard in tonight’s Betfred Cup tie at Borough Briggs.
Elgin are still in with a chance of qualifying for the last 16 of the competition – should they inflict a shock defeat on Paul Heckingbottom’s side in their final Group C match.
After Hibs began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Elgin’s fellow League 2 outfit Stirling Albion, teenager Wilson feels his side has nothing to fear after taking five points from matches against Alloa Athletic and the Binos.
Wilson said: “We are very confident going into the game, especially after the last two results.
“The performances have been really good as well, and we were unlucky down at Arbroath to lose in the last minute.
“We definitely go into it with a lot of confidence we can give them a good game.
“It’s going to have to be the perfect performance to go and win, everyone is going to need to be at the top of their game.
“Hibs drew their first game against Stirling, so maybe they are not quite firing just yet.
“We all need to play well, keep our shape and press like we know we can.
“At Borough Briggs it’s going to be a bit harder for them. The pitch is not going to be quite as good as what they are used to.
“We are hoping we can maybe catch them cold.”
City have recent experience of facing Hibernian, having gone down 4-0 in a Scottish Cup tie at Easter Road in January.
It capped a memorable breakthrough campaign for 19-year-old Wilson, who went on to make 26 appearances for Gavin Price’s side last term, and he is hoping for another enjoyable experience tonight.
Wilson added: “Down there I thought we made a good account of ourselves.
“Playing at Easter Road in front of 7,000 was an unbelievable experience. It drives and motivates you to be a part of that sort of occasion again.
“It doesn’t come around too often so you need to enjoy and learn from it.
“We are playing against arguably the best team in the competition at the moment.
“It’s a game we always look forward to trying to challenge ourselves against the best players in.”
Elgin are without skipper Darryl McHardy and midfielder Brian Cameron through injury, while Rabin Omar returns from suspension.