Hibernian will go up against Edinburgh rivals Heart of Midlothian for a place in the Scottish Cup Final and should feel rather confident in their chances of progressing to the showpiece.
Although both sides are in different divisions - with The Jam Tarts having been controversially relegated last season - each of them have been playing some fine football and have started their respective 2020/21 campaigns in fine fashion.
For Hibs, Jack Ross appears to have been able to improve things on the pitch despite having the same group of players available to him that he had last season.
Taking their start this season and comparing it to last year’s efforts to this same point, the Edinburgh outfit had managed just two wins in their first 12 games. Fast forward to now, and Hibernian have managed to record seven victories, three draws and just two defeats.
An organisation given here appears to have been brought to Easter Road and the players have reaped the rewards Ross’ management as four of their first-choice defenders have all been recognised by their national sides in recent international windows.
It is not only the defence that has improved, though, as the midfield now appears to be well-balanced, whereas the attackers look likely to score in every game; something that Hibernian certainly have not been able to boast for a very long time.
As noted by Edinburgh News, the club appear to have instilled a togetherness within the squad for the first time since the 2017/18 campaign, in which things look so much better and fans can now get a sense of what to expect.
Hibernian look more drilled than ever before and despite injury problems and players having been asked to play out of position, there is a sense that the Easter Road outfit know what they are aiming to do when on the pitch.
Striker Christian Doidge - who has been in good form this season as he has three goals in his 12 appearances this season - has also suggested that there is a new mentality at the football club as he stated: “We're going into games believing we're going to win.”
Indeed, Ross might only have been in charge for just under a year, however his impact has been significant and is easy to see. He has managed to transform his team from a hugely fragile and unpredictable one into a squad that has gone from strength-to-strength and has adopted the aforementioned winning mentality.
Hibernian have been able to grind out some impressive results in recent weeks, results you’d be pleased to see when using your Virgin games promo code, as well as record some emphatic results whilst remaining tight at the back. Thus, they should remain confident ahead of their Scottish Cup semi-final clash with rivals, Hearts.
Let’s not forget, this match could be the only time these two sides meet this season and that could provide an added incentive if a place in the final of the Cup competition were not enough. Although there will be no fans in attendance, there will still be the pressure and intensity that is associated with the game.
Form might generally go out the window when a match as big as the Edinburgh derby takes place, but if Ross’ Hibernian can keep to the form book, then they could well be celebrating a place in the Scottish Cup Final at the weekend.