Jack Ross hasn’t ruled out Darren McGregor starting next week’s Scottish Cup final.
The veteran defender has slotted into the Hibs back line for their last two games against Aberdeen and Celtic, helping them keep clean sheets in both.
That’s lead to calls for the experienced centre back to keep his place for next Saturday’s Hampden showdown with St Johnstone.
McGregor has come in for Ryan Porteous, who suffered a knock in the semi-final victory over Dundee United.
And Ross will assess his charges in training this week before making his final decision on who gets the nod.
He said: “His performance level has been brilliant and we’ve finished with three clean sheets.and, as much as we had been playing well, that was a little bit problematic in the latter part of the season. He’s trained every day which has helped the condition he’s in. His mental strength is up there as well
“But our approach is exactly the same as every game. You maybe make up your mind a little bit earlier in terms of how we’re going to play but I’ve said to the players they have to enjoy the week and the build up. It’s not often clubs get there regularly. There will be excitement.”
The side the finished the season featured several players who haven’t played as much in recent weeks and they played out a 0-0 draw with Celtic at Easter Road before haloing up a sign thanking fans at the end of the game.
And Ross felt it an appropriate way to sign off from league duty ahead of the big one next week.
He added: “It was fitting to finish the season that way because we had so many players involved who haven’t played regularly, but deserved it for their contribution on the training pitch and for the standards they’ve helped us to keep.
"It has helped us have a successful season. We had to be resilient and work incredibly hard today but I’m really pleased they got a reward from the game and got a point.”
