Hibs head coach Alan Stubbs has revealed how he called a team meeting to remind his players that tonight’s league clash at Morton is more important than the Edinburgh derby.
Following the high of setting up a League Cup final appearance against Ross County after beating St Johnstone on Saturday, the games keep coming thick and fast for the treble-chasing Leith outfit.
Hibs will bid to close the eight point gap on Championship leaders Rangers in this evening’s rearranged match at Cappielow before traveling to fierce city rivals Hearts for Sunday’s mouth-watering Scottish Cup fifth round tie.
Stubbs has vowed to relish every minute of their biggest week of the season but insists the league remains their priority.
Stubbs said: “Tuesday night’s more important than Sunday – I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.
“The league is obviously our bread and butter. It’s our main priority but everybody loves a cup competition.
“We had a discussion on Monday before we came in to speak about it.
“It was fantastic at the weekend. They deserve all the pats on the backs, the plaudits, but it’s gone.
“It’s on the back burner now for six weeks. We move to Tuesday.
“We keep the momentum going, keep building.
“Big clubs have big mentalities. It’s no coincidence that they can churn out results week-in, week-out no matter what.
“Your Celtics, your Rangers, ourselves, Hearts – you look at all the teams in England.
“You have to have a mentality that, no matter what, even when there are highs, you don’t drop off for the next game.
“You’re thinking about that game because you move on very, very quickly. You have to, otherwise you stand still.”
Pressure
Stubbs could be forgiven for feeling slightly uneasy with three important games packed into an eight day period but the Englishman insists he thrives on this kind of pressure.
Stubbs, who expects to have on loan Celtic striker Anthony Stokes available following a back injury, added: “If you don’t enjoy these type of weeks them I’m afraid you’re in the wrong game.
“You have to enjoy it when things go right for you because, more often than not, there will be times when things go wrong for you.
“It’s a crazy business. You seem to beat yourself up for the losses and when you do have the wins you move on very quickly.
“Some don’t enjoy them as much as you should do. That’s the sad type of people that we are. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
