HIBS will prepare for their tilt at the Europa League at their home training base rather than travel abroad
Neil Lennon’s players will kick off their season in the opening qualifying round of the competition – the first leg is due on July 12 – and will discover their opponents in the draw in Nyon on June 19, a few days after they report back for training.
The Easter Road club qualified due to Celtic beating Motherwell in the Scottish Cup Final at the weekend. Their fourth place finish in the Premiership got the side into Europe’s second tournament along with Rangers and Aberdeen.
With their £5million centre on the outskirts of Ormiston at their disposal, club officials see little point in going to the expense of travelling abroad for similar facilities.
The shortness of the close season is another factor with the League Cup group stages kicking off on July 14 although Hibs will now not enter the competition until August 18.
A schedule of friendlies to bring Lennon’s players up to speed is also in the process of being organised with the visit of Tony Mowbray’s Blackburn Rovers.
