Lee Johnson knows trying to get his players mentally ready for any visit of Rangers is a challenge.
Throw in the fact that the game comes 24 hours after what is sure to be an emotional memorial service for late owner Ron Gordon today and the Hibs boss realises he faces a test getting the team in the right frame of mind for the clash.
The visit of Michael Beale’s side is the first chance Hibs have had at home to mark the life of Gordon, who died a fortnight ago at the age of 68 after a battle with cancer. Images of Gordon are set to be shown on the big screens while a tear-jerking rendition of Sunshine On Leith will be sung before the game to honour the American. Today’s private gathering in the centre of Edinburgh will be a more intimate affair involving Gordon’s family and Hibs’ playing and non-playing staff. Johnson, whose side beat Livingston at the weekend after holding a one-minute silence at the Tony Macaroni Arena, said: “The service is going to be tough, that will be tough, it is our first feeling of meeting the family, we want to give them a big hug each, make sure they are as good as they can be. Just to be there to support but also remember our own experiences with Ron and grieve on a personal level.
