Stubbs: Hibs are on right track
Hibernian boss Alan Stubbs insists his Easter Road side are heading in the right direction ahead of their League Cup quarter-final.
The Leith outfit thought they had clawed themselves back into the Scottish Championship promotion race after taking a first-half lead against Hearts on Sunday.
But Alim Ozturk's sensational late strike ensured the Edinburgh derby finished 1-1 - leaving Hibs 14 points behind the league-leading Jambos.
Stubbs' side now face Dundee United in Wednesday's last-eight clash but the manager believes his side are showing progress after a disappointing start.
The former Everton youth coach took up his first senior managerial post in the summer when he replaced Terry Butcher.
He told the BBC: "It was never going to be giant strides but I feel as if we've come a long way in a short time.
"I feel like I've learned three years' worth in three months.
"Over the last couple of months we've started to perform better. But when I first came in I didn't have any staff, I hardly had any players and I had to prepare a team for a Championship challenge in six weeks. It was difficult."
Stubbs will have to do without on-loan Celtic midfielder Dylan McGeouch for United's visit after he was sent off against Ross County in the previous round.
Dundee United assistant manager Simon Donnelly has challenged his side to go on another cup run in the wake of their Scottish Cup adventure last season.
The Tangerines reached the Scottish Cup final at Celtic Park in May but lost 2-0 to St Johnstone.
United go into the game having lost 1-0 to Inverness in Scottish Premiership action on Saturday but have the opportunity to make amends with a cup semi-final spot at stake.
Donnelly said: "The cup is always special. It's obviously different from the league as it gives a different kind of reward.
"We're looking forward to it and it should be a good match. We experienced what we did in the Scottish Cup last season so this is another chance to try and do something.
"We've been preparing well and working hard, so now is the time to go there and to get into the last four of the competition.
"It would be great to go as far as we could. That's the aim and that's what we're focusing on."
Donnelly is glad United have not got long to wait before they try to make up for the disappointment of losing to Inverness a few days ago.
He added: "It wasn't great all round. We know that and it's up to us to put that right.
"It's an important game. Hopefully it can bring out the best in us.
"Hibs like to play a passing game and so do we. Maybe that will help us but we know we have to raise our standards.
"We know we can play better than we have done in our last couple of games. That's the challenge and it's a good place to go and play football, Easter Road.
"Our fans will be looking for a positive result and that's what we'll be trying to give them."
United welcome back midfielder Paul Paton back into the squad, while right-back Mark Wilson could also come into contention after the pair were left out of the squad for the Inverness game.
Central defender John Souttar is still out as he recovers from his long-running ankle injury.
Source: PA
