Hibs have Hogg-Ed the inside info

Jul 6 2008 By Scott Mcdermott

CHRIS HOGG fancies Hibs' chances against Swedish cracks Elfsborg in the Intertoto Cup because he knows everything about them already.

And the defender believes they'll know nothing about the Hibees as the Easter Road side haven't kicked a ball in anger for six weeks.

Hogg says unless the Swedes have planted a spy inside Hibs' new Tranent training complex it will be impossible for them to predict how Mixu Paatelainen's side will line up. But he revealed his gaffer has been as thorough as ever in his homework on the opposition ahead of the first-leg clash this afternoon.

Chris said: "Most managers these days like to give you a good background on the opposition you're going to face.

"I know the manager has been to see Elfsborg already and our coaches have been to check them out too.

"That's how I know they are a good team and won't be easy to play against.

"All managers tend to want a look at the opposition and Mixu has already come in and stressed their strengths to us and tried to point out a few weaknesses they may have.

"We now know all about them so we'll be looking forward to the game and testing ourselves against quality opposition.

"They've probably been watching a few DVDs of us from last season. But unless they've had a secret spy in the bushes at our training ground they won't know that much!"

Hogg (right) admits the Swedes will be streets ahead of Hibs in terms of overall fitness as the Scandinavian side are already in the middle of their season.

But he knows the Leith faithful will still be expecting Paatelainen's men to put on an impressive pre-season show to keep the tie alive for next week's second leg in Boras.

The 23-year-old said: "I know if I was a fan I'd expect the team to hit the ground running.

"But we have to be realistic. We have just started pre-season and are playing a good team.

"We'll be giving it everything we've got to win and won't take it lightly

"But I think the fans have to accept we won't be at our peak.

"If there are a few slack passes they've got to stick with us and we'll try to make sure we produce a right good performance for them."