Hibs head coach Alan Stubbs insists the bookmakers rarely get it wrong after his side were installed as favourites for tonight’s Scottish Cup replay against city rivals Hearts.
Despite being in a lower division than their Premiership counterparts, some bookmakers believe Hibs have a better chance of setting up a quarter-final against Inverness after fighting back from two goals down at Tynecastle.
And Stubbs insists he would not argue with their prediction.
He said: “I don’t take any notice really of what the bookies say about the game.
“The only thing I would say is that they more often than not get it right.
“As we all know, there are not too many skint bookies.
“If anything, the reason why we might be slight favourites is because we’re at home.
“I don’t think there’s an awful lot between the teams.
“It’s two close teams, two good teams – but we have home advantage this time and there’s going to be over 20,000 there, which will be fantastic.
“It’s great for Scottish football.
“Games like Tuesday more often than not take care of themselves.
“With the expectation from the fans, it will be a fantastic atmosphere. The players do not need to get up for the game.
“They are in front of their own fans, they know they have to perform, expectation is high.
“But I have a feeling it is going to be a cracker, as they say.”
Scotland
Stubbs, meanwhile, admits he is delighted for John McGinn after Scotland coach Stuart McCall revealed that the midfielder is on the verge of a call-up for next month’s friendlies against the Czech Republic and Denmark.
Stubbs added: “It’s great for John, his performances have been very good.
“If he is on the radar, it is good news for John, but he needs to keep performing the way he has been and I’m sure his performances will take the eye and it may not be long in coming.”
