Head Coach Neil Lennon is expecting a tough game as Hibs travel to Palmerston Park to take on Queen of the South this afternoon but he is determined to see his side continue to strengthen their lead at the top of the Ladbrokes Championship by picking up three points.

The ‘Doonhamers’ have reacted well to new manager Gary Naysmith taking over and the artificial turf will cause selection problems for Lennon as he has a few players returning from injury.

Hibs currently sit six points clear of Dundee United in the race for automatic promotion and the players have been in good form of late so a large travelling support is expected to make the trip to Dumfries.

Speaking ahead of the game to Hibs’ TV Lennon said: ” The players have been buoyant this week. The training has gone well. It will be a difficult game as Queens have found a bit of form again under Gary (Naismith). They play good football and they have had a couple of really good performances of late.

“They drew with Dundee United and beat Dumbarton so it will be a tough venue to go to.

“The new manager has come in and given them a bit of a bounce. He has bought in some good players in the loan market, Joe Thomson and John Rankin.

“They have good attacking intent and variation in the way they play.

“We are playing well and it was a great win last week. That will give the players a lot of confidence.

“Now that we’re ahead it is important to keep the pressure on and try to keep our foot down and build momentum, putting pressure on the teams that are trying to chase us.

“I’d certainly rather be in our position than anyone else’s.

“Paul (Hanlon) and Ofir (Marciano) are not far away. We are hoping that he (Marciano) may make the squad at the weekend, but if not we have brought in Scott Gallacher as cover subject to a medical.

“Dylan (McGeouch) is back training as well so we are getting the players back.

“With Paul it’s a pelvic problem and he can et a reaction to plastic pitches so this may be a game too soon.”

 

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John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.