Fans hope Hibs lay cup ghost to rest

Last year they spectacularly under-achieved, crashing out to Stirling Albion, an early exit Alex McLeish is adamant won't happen during this campaign.

However, they will have their work cut out to beat a Dunfermline side which has the influential Ian Ferguson in their ranks and under Jimmy Calderwood are proving hard to beat.

McLeish realises home advantage could be the key to Hibs success in a game which is one of the best of the Scottish Cup third round ties.

''Our defeat at Stirling Albion shows the kind of upset the cup can throw up,'' said McLeish. ''This time round we do not want to be one of the casualties and clearly want to win.

''I have seen Dunfermline twice this season and I don't see a lot of weaknesses there. From our point of view, it is vitally important we get a good run in the cup. Obviously, you can't guarantee it, but the cup can certainly motivate players and give them that extra edge.''

Off the pitch the two clubs have still not agreed terms over striker Steve Crawford, but a deal could be struck on Monday which will see him spend the rest of the season at East End Park.

Hibs were understandably in no rush to sell the player to a club who could be out to prove a point in a cup tie, and therefore Crawford will not be involved for either club.

McLeish is looking to add French midfielder Franck Sauzee to the side and it is also another opportunity for Grant Brebner to continue his rehabilitation in Scottish football following his recent move from Reading.

McLeish feels Brebner's confidence took a battering in England and is eager not to burden the 21-year-old with the weight of expectation.

''He did very well when he first came here from Manchester United but when he went to Reading he was living on his own without any friends or family and his confidence was affected,'' he said. ''People forget just how young he is and are expecting the same things of him that he did before.

''When he came back sometimes he dropped deep only to find Sauzee was taking the ball, so we are encouraging him to go forward more.

''In that sense it has been a solid, rather than spectacular, return but he has the mentality to handle the pressure and I am pleased with his progress.''

Team wise, Dunfermline's Easter Road old boys Eddie May and Justin Skinner both miss the game through injury, as does Hamish French, but Ferguson, who earned a winner's medal as a substitute with Rangers last year, will start for the Fife side which currently sit second in Division One.

''We are a bit disappointed that we didn't get a home game but it is a chance for us to assess where we are,'' said Dunfermline manager Jimmy Calderwood.

''Hibs have done tremendously well and have a very dangerous young striker in Kenny Miller. It would be great to win at the first attempt, and that is what we will be trying to do.''

Despite the East End Park side's confidence, McLeish's team go into the game on a good run of form and came away with a point in what was a dour 0-0 draw against Dundee United at Tannadice last week.

Despite the lack of goals in that game, McLeish still believes his side can compete for a UEFA place and feels a good run in the Scottish Cup would help their confidence.

Meanwhile, Dunfermline have signed Lee Bullen, a 28-year-old striker who started his career with Stenhousemuir but has spent most of his playing days in Australia, Hong Kong and with Greek first division side Kalamata.

He has been training with Dunfermline for a fortnight and scored two goals in the reserves and will stay with the club until the end of the season.

Calderwood said: ''He is a real professional and has already shown us how good he is. With Andy Smith on his way to Kilmarnock I need someone like Lee who is strong and has the height and pace to open up a defence. He cannot play in the cup-tie against Hibs, but will figure next week against Clydebank.''

BOOKIES VIEW: Hibs 8-13, Dunfermline 5-1, draw 13-5.