Ahead of Sunday’s big match, Hibernians coach Tugberk Tanriversmis said his target is to end the season in the top six. He pointed out that with a new team, a young squad, the players need time to settle.
Asked if Europe could be a possibility, he said that would be a miracle. He has to be realistic. The players are working hard, they never give up and work hard for each other. Can they get anything from the Floriana game? Possible but again, the players will have to work hard.
Questioned about the position of Joseph Mbong, coach TT, as he prefers to be called, he said Mbong is a valuable member of the team and is versatile, can play in several positions, depending on the game and opposition. The coach said when Mbong starts to find the net, the goals will come.
Floriana will be tough he said, but if Hibs get anything from this game, it could mark a turning point for the club.
Defender Kurt Shaw acknowledged it will be a tough match but if Hibs get something it give the players confidence to move forward.
Following Hibernians, it was the turn of Floriana’s coach Augusto Daniel Portela Da Silva.
Asked about the recent down-turn in fortunes for Floriana, the Cup defeat to Valletta and the hammering by Marsaxlokk, he was defensive, saying that Floriana was the better team in the cup loss to Valletta but still they lost.
Floriana were champions last year, he said. That was last year. Now they have to do it all again and against Hibs, they have a chance to rediscover their form.
Asked if it is hard to lift the players on the back of two defeats, definitely not he said. We recover our identity. That is how we work and against Hibernians, we will not change our system. That would be a crazy thing to do. The players know our system and that is what we stick with.
Keeper Guilherme Cioletti said Floriana needs to play hard but have to be aware of Hibs on the quick break.
