Everton date for hibees

Although the Goodison Park outfit finished in the lower reaches of the Premiership, David Moyes’ side will provide stiff competition for Hibs just six days before the new SPL season gets underway.

While former Hearts stars David Weir and Gary Naysmith know Easter Road well, Everton will be bringing a host of multi-million pound stars to the Capital, including 4m striker Duncan Ferguson.

The controversial former Dundee United, Rangers and Newcastle United star will have alongside him 3m hitman Kevin Campbell, the Toffees’ skipper, former Inter Milan defender Alessandro Pistone, who cost a similar amount, and Canadian ace Tomasz Radzinski, the Polish-born player who was a 4.5m signing from Anderlecht.

Also expected to make the journey north will be Republic of Ireland World Cup midfielder Lee Carsley, former Celtic star Alan Stubbs, Scotland midfielder Scot Gemmill and American Joe-Max Moore, who will also spend this summer in Japan and Korea.

The visit of Everton will end a hectic spell of activity for Hibs who will have returned from their four-game tour of Finland less than 24 hours before the glamour friendly.

Announcing the match, which has a 7.45pm kick-off, managing director Rod Petrie said: “The players and coaching staff will be raring to go, having returned from their pre-season tour of Finland.

“This match, against one of the most famous clubs in English football, should provide an entertaining curtain-raiser for our supporters,” added Petrie.

In keeping with club policy, established two years ago, the Everton match won’t be included in the season-ticket package for next season. But Hibs have promised to announce details of preferential prices for season ticket holders when tickets for the game go on sale.

Petrie said: “We know that the decision to ask season ticket holders to make a small additional payment for this match will disappoint some.

“However, it is widely acknowledged that this is a difficult time for all clubs and the extra revenue will help the manager in planning his squad for next season.”

Hibs didn’t have a pre-season friendly at Easter Road last summer but in previous years Middlesbrough, West Ham United, Leeds United, Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers have all been visitors.

Meanwhile, a group of Hibs fans are hoping to take another step towards a clean sweep of trophies as they defend their Scottish Cup at Edinburgh’s Jack Kane Centre tomorrow.

Erin Hibs, made up of Easter Road supporters who have met through the internet, have already clinched the inaugural Scottish League Championship, taking the title with a game to spare with a 7-0 win over St Johnstone in Perth last weekend.

Tomorrow they line up with 11 other Scottish teams to defend the cup which they lifted last season with a victory over Dumbarton, while they are also determined to hold on to the British Cup which they won last time round by beating Charlton Athletic in Leeds.

It could turn out to be an all-conquering season for Erin Hibs as they also sit top of the IFA (Internet Football Association) British League, three points ahead of Queens Park Rangers.

However, team boss Sean Allan admitted his side will have to hope for a slip-up from QPR if they are to do so. He said: “Unfortunately, QPR have a vastly superior goal difference so if they win their last game, against Crystal Palace, they’ll take the title.

“But we have our fingers crossed that there will be a slip-up giving us the chance, if we can retain the Scottish Cup, to take all four trophies.”

Tomorrow’s action starts at 10.30am.