Hibernian boss Mixu Paatelainen has urged his side to repeat the form of their cup win over Inverness as they look to beat Gretna in the SPL.The Easter Road outfit have not won at home in the league since a 4-1 triumph over Kilmarnock as far back as September, with their only three points since then coming away from home against Wednesday night's opponents.
However, Paatelainen, who took over from John Collins last month, steered the Edinburgh team to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Inverness in the cup in his first game in charge.
And, after draws with Rangers and Dundee United and a narrow 1-0 defeat to city rivals Hearts during his short reign, the Finn is eager to see his players get back to winning ways against the top flight's bottom club.
He said: "We won here three weeks ago in the cup against Inverness. The boys did fantastically well then and we want the same kind of performance now. I know we can produce it.
"Our league form has to improve, draws are no good to us. We want to win matches.
"Whenever we get on level terms like we did against Dundee United on Saturday, I think we should have the belief and determination to go on and win the game.
"But these matches are not easy and Wednesday's game will not be easy."
Crucial to Hibs turning those draws into victories will be an improved strike rate in front of goal.
The Easter Road men have struggled to find the target since that 3-0 victory over Inverness, drawing a blank against Hearts and Rangers before a solitary strike against United rescued a point at Tannadice on Saturday.
However, Paatelainen - who has pledged to maintain Hibs' recent reputation for attacking football - insists he is confident his side will turn the corner in attack.
He added: "I want our strikers, offensive players and defenders to score goals. You have to score to win matches and at the same time you have to defend solidly.
"It's great we have created chances, I would be more worried if we hadn't.
"It will come, we have players who are well capable of scoring. We practise that every day, they do it in training.
"They just need to be a little bit more relaxed and a little bit more composed in matches and make sure they score."
More Football News from TEAMtalk



