READY AND STABLE

Marsh hoping settled squad helps Hibs get off to a flier after last year's turmoil

- IAIN COLLIN

DAVID MARSHALL believes a calm and settled summer in Leith will have Hibs hitting the ground running when the season starts.

With boss Lee Johnson newly appointed this time last year, the Easter Road side crashed out of the League Cup in the group stage before a worrying start to the Premiership campaign.

Hibs were victorious on the opening day against St Johnstone but then failed to win in their next four league outings.

Marshall and Co rebounded with four successive victories, only for a nightmare spell to follow in which they lost nine of 11 games to heap pressure on Johnson.

He survived to steer Hibs to fifth in the table and, with Aberdeen pulling off a late surge to claim third place, they got to within just two points of rivals Hearts in fourth.

Marshall, who was one of 15 new arrivals last summer during a period of flux, admits the massive changes hampered Hibs in the first half of the season.