Hogg: Not a whole new ball game as Hibs to use Jabulani

Easter Road skipper Chris Hogg has shrugged off the disclosure that Hibs will be playing with the controversial Jabulani ball when they face NK Maribor tonight, insisting: "A ball is a ball."

Hibs boss John Hughes sprang a surprise when he announced the ball, which came under fire from all quarters during this summer's World Cup in South Africa, will be used in the first leg of the Europa League's third qualifying round.

But while Hogg and his team-mates got their first touch of the Adidas manufactured ball in an hour-long training session at the Ljudski Stadium last night, the big defender made light of the fact. "I heard a lot about it in the World Cup, that it moves a lot but we'll go out and see what they are like. To me a ball is a ball and it is the same for both sides," he said.

Hibs' opponents will be well used to playing with the Jabulani as it was introduced to the domestic league here in Slovenia in January, a fact which is bound to give them something of an advantage although Hughes argued that will tip in the Edinburgh club's favour in seven days when the Mitre ball, which has been utilised in the SPL for many years will come into play.

Hibs, of course, go into tonight's match seeking a result which will give them a better than evens chance of progressing in the competition but Hogg urged his team-mates not to look too far ahead, declaring: "Even at home I look at it one game at a time so it's no different in Europe.

"We worked very hard to get here and we are determined to enjoy it and go as far as we can.

"We have done a lot of groundwork and as players we have put a lot into pre-season to make sure we were ready, even before we came back by keeping ourselves in shape."

Hogg and his team-mates put the final finishing touches to their preparations at their hotel this morning but, the captain insisted, they are ready for tonight, determined first and foremost to do themselves and Hibs proud but also aware they can help the battered image of Scottish football in general.

He said: "I don't think the boys are sitting thinking about Scotland and what it will do for the game but I am sure if we are doing well people will take note and hopefully we can show everyone a style of football as a team which will make them proud."