Hibs v Inverness CT team news and line-ups: TV details, Newell doubt, Hearts legend’s ‘nervous’ claims

Hibs host Championship side Inverness CT under the lights at Easter Road on Friday evening (ko 7.45pm) in the Scottish Cup quarter-final.

It is the first of four ties over the weekend as the Leithers look to book their place in their sixth semi-final in nine seasons.

ICT present a good omen for the Hibees with the Highlanders, then cup holders, defeated after a replay at the same stage in 2016 when Alan Stubbs led the club to their first Scottish Cup success since 1902.

Jack Ross’ men are in relatively good form with nine points from their last six games in the league with just one defeat in ten in all competitions.

They have put themselves in a good position to challenge for a European spot, but such an ambition takes a back seat for the visit of John Robertson’s side.

The Hearts legend stoked the fires by claiming that the Hibs fans will “get nervous” about facing his second tier side.

ICT sit second in the Championship table, 18 points behind Dundee United, and came through 90 minutes on Tuesday when they defeated Dunfermline Athletic in Fife.

Hibs team news: Joe Newell was forced to pull out of the starting line-up for the league clash with Livingston and faces a race to be fit. Meanwhile, Fraser Murray could also be required to sit out due to a red card picked up in the SPFL Reserve Cup.

Possible Hibs XI (3-4-1-2): Marciano; McGinn, Jackson, Hanlon; Boyle, Slivka, Docherty, Stevenson; Allan; Doidge, McNulty.

Inverness CT team news: Key midfielder Sean Welsh is set to miss another couple of weeks with a twisted ankle.

Possible Inverness XI (4-3-3): Ridgers; Rooney, Toshney, McKay, Tremarco; Trafford, Carson, Vincent; Storey, Doran, White

Key clash: Teams coming up against Hibs will have to be wary of the strike duo of Christian Doidge and Marc McNulty. Coll Donaldson and Jamie McCart made the step up to the Ladbrokes Premiership during January which hurt ICT’s promotion hopes. The Hibees could come up against ex-Hearts duo Brad McKay and Kevin McHattie. However, Lewis Toshney, who started against Dunfermline, is the other possible starter in the middle. No matter who is in defence for the Highlanders they will have a difficult evening.

Last meeting: These clubs last met at the same stage in the competition four years ago, a tie which went to a replay. A 1-1 draw at Easter Road – current ICT striker James Keatings opening the scoring for Hibs before Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo equalised – was followed by a 2-1 win for the Hibees in the Highlands. Anthony Stokes hit a first-half double with Iain Vigurs making it a tense ending with a goal 13 minutes from time for John Hughes’ side.

Match details: Friday, 28 February. Easter Road, Edinburgh. Kick-off 7.45pm. Tickets are available from the Hibs website. The match is live on BBC Scotland, programme starts at 7.30pm.

Referee: Nick Walsh (Six yellow cards in three Scottish Cup fixtures) – The official has taken charge of just one Hibs game this season, the 3-0 home defeat to Rangers. Walsh gave Ryan Porteous a red card for a challenge on Borna Barisic.

Odds: Hibs 52/100 Draw 16/5 ICT 5/1