Murray fears Hibs could be frozen out

Like every other SPL team, the Edinburgh club saw today's clash with St Mirren postponed because of the icy grip winter has taken on Scotland.

But with the mercury having plunged to well below zero and temperatures predicted not to rise much above freezing over the coming week, Murray believes next Saturday's match at Hamilton could already be in doubt.

And unless there is a dramatic change in the weather over the following week Murray feels Hibs' trip to Kilmarnock's Rugby Park could also be under threat, leaving the prospect of Colin Calderwood's side not playing again until they host Aberdeen on December 26.

The SPL cancelled this weekend's entire programme on Wednesday, the frustration for Murray and his team-mates being that Easter Road itself was playable with Calderwood's squad mounting a practice match on the pitch yesterday.

While accepting the postponements were made with the safety of travelling fans in mind - with players up and down the country unable to report for training for much of this week - Murray predicted such concerns could lead to further cancellations.

He said: "The way the weather is it seems as if it's going to be this way for a while so there's every chance next Saturday could also be off and perhaps even beyond that.

"Everything is now icing up and while under-soil heating means there shouldn't be any problems, it's the areas surrounding stadiums and the travel problems which cause concern for the safety of everyone. It's disappointing when the pitch itself is playable. Easter Road is generally always very good, I can't remember a game here being cancelled because of the weather for quite a few years.

"As players it's also frustrating when you have been training during the week only to find you don't have a game at the weekend. The further disappointment for us is that we were meant to have a home game today, the chance to start building a bit of momentum.

"But it is the same for everyone, there's nothing we can do about it."

n HIBS have slashed ticket prices for their Scottish Cup tie against Second Division Ayr United. Adults will be admitted to the match at Easter Road on Saturday, January 8, for just 15 with concessions priced at 10. The tickets are now on sale with season ticket holders given priority until the close of business on Friday. Meanwhile, sales of tickets for the New Year's Day derby against Hearts at Tynecastle begin on Tuesday. Season ticket holders will again have priority until Friday with general sales from Wednesday, December 15.