Hibs Boss Stubbs Keen To Move On From Rangers Win
Hibernian head coach Alan Stubbs is grateful that the euphoria of beating Rangers was quickly replaced by focusing on another major occasion at Easter Road.
Hibs fans are still basking in the achievement of their side's 2-1 victory on Sunday, which cut the gap at the top of the Ladbrokes Championship to five points.
But Stubbs and his players have quickly moved on to Wednesday's League Cup quarter-final against Dundee United.
Stubbs, whose side have won 10 of their last 11 matches, said: It's certainly an opportunity for us to keep that winning run going.
It's a quarter-final of the League Cup so that means it's another big game and I'm delighted we have such a big game immediately after the Rangers game because it means we don't dwell on it and it's a chance to refocus.It's going to be a very tough game, Dundee United have some very good players.''
United won a penalty shoot-out at Easter Road at the same stage last year following a six-goal thriller, but Stubbs feels his side are a different prospect 12 months on.
We are certainly a stronger group as a result of that year,'' he said.
I think we're a better team. We go into the game in good spirits and we're looking to progress to the next round.''
The game pits Stubbs against former Bolton team-mate Mixu Paatelainen, who secured his first win as United boss on Saturday.
Mixu certainly wears his heart on his sleeve,'' Stubbs said.
I think the players understand in no uncertain terms what he expects from them. We've seen first hand evidence of that in his interviews.
He's a winner, he's very passionate so I'm sure he will get it right there.
It may take a little bit of time but we saw on Saturday how dangerous Dundee United can be because they got a great result against Ross County, who are doing fantastic.''
Paatelainen was outspoken in his criticism of his team's performance following their recent 5-0 defeat by Celtic and Stubbs believes he has changed since his Bolton days.
He was a little bit quieter as a player,'' he said.No one used to say anything to him because they were scared to because of the size of big Mixu.
I'm looking forward to seeing him. It will be great to catch up with him and have a drink after the game but hopefully that's after we managed to get a really good win.''
Hibs will be without Dylan McGeouch, who has a minor groin strain, but Martin Boyle, Farid El Alagui and Adam Eckersely are all added to the squad.