Pat Fenlon’s cup carrot for Hibs

HIBS manager Pat Fenlon has urged his squad to use their SPL run-in as an audition for places in this month’s Scottish Cup final showcase.

Fenlon is eager to manage his squad carefully in the build-up to their 26 May showdown with Celtic.

With last weekend’s encounter with Kilmarnock abandoned in tragic circumstances when a supporter took ill pitch-side and subsequently died, Hibs still have three bottom-six games to play – including a derby match at Tynecastle – ahead of the Hampden showpiece.

Fenlon looks likely to continue testing out various line-ups as the league season draws to a close, and while there have been calls by some fans to rest key players, he said: “We’ve got to make sure we finish the season properly. The key to the players now is if you get an opportunity to play you’ve got to make sure you grasp it with both hands and try to be in the cup final team.”