Simo Valakari: Key points from the press conference

Head coach Simo Valakari sat down with the broadcast media to preview our William Hill Premiership fixture against Hibs at Easter Road.

Kick-off on Saturday afternoon in the capital will be 3pm. 

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Here are some of the key points from the head coach's press conference:

On current form and return from international break…

“The last 10 games, six wins, six clean sheets and two draws. Of course, we need points and to win matches.

“This international break, it has felt like a long-time since we had our last game. It is good to get back playing now.

“Almost everyone was back from international duty on Thursday so it was good to see the buzz and the liveliness.

“We knew the break was there and we planned as well as we could. We had a couple of days rest, a couple of good days of training and a couple of bounce games.”

On playing with no fear and Hibs…

“That has been our mindset from day one, no fear, full rock and roll. Of course, we know we are playing against a very good team this Saturday.

“I have watched them a lot and admire a lot what they are doing. They have very good togetherness and can play different ways of football.

“As always, it is all about us and our mindset. We are in good form and, at this stage of this season, it doesn’t matter who you play.

“We need good performances, we need the results and that is how it is. It is a good opportunity. We want to play these tough games and against top teams.

“We need to defend well, be rock solid. I see the boys in training every day, we are dangerous going forward.

“It doesn’t matter who you play. You need to give more than everything. We always give the best that we have.”

On team news…

“Only Stephen Duke-McKenna is still travelling back but he should be here. Daniels Balodis and Makenzie Kirk were back on Thursday. They were back smiling.

“The boys who have been here working are happy to get the boys back. More or less, everyone is available for Saturday.”

On the belief…

“There are still so many games left and anything can happen. We are realistic as well, we know what we need to do on the field and during the training week to be the best version of ourselves.

“It has never been a question of confidence, more about the frustrations. We work so hard but at times were not getting the results.

“But credit to the boys, they kept going and going and then things start clicking. As always, results help because they put the smile on faces and create a more positive environment.”

On competition for places…

“We are in good form, we are a strong team and we have different options. The players who have not been playing that much are pushing hard for a starting line-up place.

“There is big competition during the week on the training ground, which is a good situation to be in.”

The full match preview for Saturday's game, including information on ticketing, travel and how to watch the match, can be found HERE.