Hibs manager Pat Fenlon can no longer say he is ignoring the William Hills Scottish Cup final now that SPL safety has been secured for another season. He takes his side to Inverness today to complete the SPL commitments before taking the side over the water to Cork to prepare for the biggest game he has faced. Monday's 4-0 win over Dunfermline relegated the Pars and allowed and allows Fenlon to focus on 1 the 19 May meeting with Hearts. We all know that it is the first all-Edinburgh final since 1896, with Hibs seeking to win the trophy for the first time in 110 years and gain revenge for the 3-1 reverse at Logie Green. With places for the cup final up for grabs and the chance to overtake their hosts (if Hibs win by three) to 10th place in the SPL, Fenlon faces a dilemma in team selection.
(c) Ger Harley | SportPix
He said: "We will plan to change one or two around. We want to go and try to win the game as well, so it's important we put a team out that are capable of getting a result up there." Club captain Ian Murray's contract is due to expire in the summer so could be making a final appearance. Looking ahead to the final, inspirational James McPake (groin), Tom Soares (Achilles), Pa Kujabi (hamstring) and Jorge Claros (foot) are unlikely to be risked. However, Leigh Griffiths and David Wotherspoon are available again after completing their suspension.
Inverness manager Terry Butcher said: "He (Fenlon) realises coming up here is one of the worst places he could possibly visit the game before the cup final because we'll be bang at it. I know what I would do. I'd rest a few people to make sure you could be immortalised by beating Hearts in the final and you don't want anything coming in your way. I want our players to go out there and play for these three points as if it's the most vital three points of the season."