Barry Ferguson has urged Michael Beale to start Antonio Colak against Hibs in the Scottish Premiership tonight.

The Croatian frontman started against Kilmarnock last weekend and impressed as the Light Blues ran out 3-1 winners at Ibrox.

Beale has utilised Alfredo Morelos as first choice since he took over as manager, but Colak has been struggling with injuries and full fitness.

If it was down to Gers hero Ferguson, he would opt to start Colak against Lee Johnson's Edinburgh outfit.

He told Go Radio: "Going on the game at the weekend, I thought his link-up play was a lot better.

"His workrate off the ball was excellent - that's something that's a criticism of Morelos at times, people think he doesn't do enough.

"(Colak) got the opportunity to play at the weekend and for me, I think Colak keeps that jersey because he did well.

"He never scored, which will be disappointing because number nines always want goals, but I thought his overall play was really good and I expect him to start again tonight."

Michael Beale hailed Colak in the build-up to tonight's fixture in the capital.

He said: “I felt for Toni. He was our best player in the first half of the season.

“He linked the play really well and you could see he had been doing some fitness work. That is the main thing I’ll take away from the game on Saturday.

“If that was the boy fully fit like at the start of the season then I haven’t seen that til today. I’m delighted for him on a personal level.”

On Hibs, Beale added: “I think that they’re going very well. The best part of their season, after a few difficult weeks before that.

“They’ve been in fine form and they got a good result at the weekend.

“I think they’ve got good players and we’ll have to put in a strong performance on Wednesday night because we’re going there for three points and I think they’ll come for us.

“They’ll try to beat us and I think it makes for an intriguing game.”

Glasgow Times:

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