Source: Team_Talk
Hibs ready to hurt Hoops - McBride
Kevin McBride hopes Hibernian can finally get their season back on track after the players sorted their differences behind the scenes.[LNB] Midfielder McBride revealed the squad had held a series of meetings aimed at stopping the rot that has set in at Easter Road for the past two months.[LNB]The 28-year-old admits there were differences of opinion over how best to address an alarming slump that has brought just two victories from 13 games.[LNB]But he believes the players are now all pulling in the right direction and are determined to avoid throwing away what had appeared a guaranteed Europa League spot.[LNB]"We've had a chat with each other," McBride said.[LNB]"We've had a few meetings and there's been disagreements to go with agreements.[LNB]"We know what's expected and we've got to get back to that."[LNB]He added: "The manager gets the final say. He gets what he wants and we've got to go and do it.[LNB]"Over previous weeks, we've not been doing it."[LNB]Fourth-placed Hibs travel to Celtic tomorrow in their first Scottish Premier League post-split fixture.[LNB]John Hughes' men were flying the last time they visited Parkhead, winning 2-1 in what was arguably the pinnacle of their campaign.[LNB]That result saw them tipped to split the Old Firm but it has all gone horribly wrong since and McBride said: "We've got to get back to what we were doing at the start of the season.[LNB]"Over previous weeks, we've not been the way we should be.[LNB]"It's not fair on the fans either, so we've got to get ourselves together for a tough game this weekend."[LNB]McBride looks set to start for the first time in almost a month following an ankle injury.[LNB]Hughes is hoping the man he brought with him to Easter Road from Falkirk last summer can supply the steel which has been missing from Hibs' midfield in recent weeks.[LNB]The Edinburgh club will face opponents who have come under even more criticism for the lack of fight they have shown this season.[LNB]Celtic's shock Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Ross County - who also stunned Hibs in the previous round - was the final straw for many fans, who boycotted Tuesday night's SPL game win over Motherwell.[LNB]McBride admits it will be odd playing at a Parkhead that could be less than a third full.[LNB]"It'll be strange, just as it will be for the Celtic players," he said.[LNB]"They'll be used to 50,000-60,000.[LNB]"I watched the game during the week and obviously there was less than half of that there.[LNB]"But they play for Celtic, they can't let that affect them and it's the same for us."[LNB]A lack of atmosphere would appear to be an advantage for Hibs but McBride is not so sure.[LNB]"It can be, but it can go against you as well," he said.[LNB]"They may want to prove people wrong and get the fans back on the seats again."[LNB]Defeat tomorrow would hand arch-rivals Hearts the chance to close to within three points of Hibs when they visit Rangers on Sunday.[LNB]McBride said: "If you'd looked at the league table maybe two or three months ago, you wouldn't have even thought of that.[LNB]"We know Hearts are still a very good side - they beat us the last game.[LNB]"They're not as far behind us as they were but it's up to us to start picking up our game again."
