Hibs’ Spain trip will be no holiday - Alan Stubbs
Hibs head coach Alan Stubbs insists next week’s warm-weather training camp in Spain will be anything but a holiday for the players.
The Leith outfit’s attempt to reach the top flight via the play-offs does not begin until 20 May when they will travel to the winners of the clash between Queen of the South and Rangers in the semi-final, first leg.
Former Celtic defender Stubbs has been given the green light from the Easter Road board to take the squad to La Manga to prepare for the crucial end- of- season games.
However, Stubbs, who will fly out with the team on Sunday, has assured supporters there will be little time for the players to relax.
He said: “I’m delighted we managed to finish second in the Championship because it gives me a chance to ease off the players this week and take them away.
“It’s not a reward because we haven’t won anything, it’s just a chance for us to refresh them, get a bit of sun on their backs and train in a nice climate.
“It won’t be downtime, they’ll not be getting lots of time off and it will not be easy. There’ll be no sunbathing going on, I can assure you it won’t be like that whatsoever.”
The majority of the squad attended the PFA Scotland awards dinner on Sunday and were delighted to see team-mate Scott Allan named Championship player of the year.
The former Dundee United youngster has enjoyed a renaissance under Stubbs at Easter Road after returning north from West Brom last summer.
Stubbs added: “From taking any plaudits for it, I only gave him the opportunity. He is the one that deserves all the credit, not me.”