St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson expecting tough challenge from Hibernian

St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson knows Hibernian are a different proposition to the side that they beat in their first two meetings this season.

The Buddies began their Premiership campaign with a convincing 3-0 home win over David Gray’s team then followed it up with a 2-1 victory at Easter Road on November 9.

Hibs lost 4-1 at Dundee in their next game to remain bottom of the table but since then they have lost only once – to leaders Celtic – in all competitions and have moved up to the top half of the table.

Robinson, whose side were knocked out of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup by Hearts in a penalty shoot-out last Monday night, is expecting a re-energised Hibs to visit Paisley on Sunday.

He said: “It was a while ago we played Hibs, they are on a fantastic run now. David’s done a really good job in turning their form around. So we have to be prepared.

“They’ve not changed personnel massively. They’re still the same players, but they’re confident.

“They’re a side going into the game against us with confidence, they are into the next round of the cup (1-0 win at Ayr).

“So if we put on the performance that we did on Monday night, then we’ve a very good chance of winning the game. But they’ve got some very talented players.

“The two wing-backs who are big threat, the two Cadden brothers (Chris and Nicky), who I know very well, big threats, really forward thinking and Martin Boyle. I’ve always been a big fan of him, he’s a very, very good player.

“He’s been one of the main reasons that they’re on a very good run. So it is something we have to be aware of.

“But they’ve got threats all over the pitch, talented boys, and they’ve got a good squad and a good team, and they’ve always had that no matter where they were in the league.

“There’s no surprises in this league, you play each other that many times, and if we can put in the level of performance that we have done over the last month, then our results will pick up and we’ll start looking up the table and potentially have another really good season.”