Neil Lennon is also looking for his side to take advantage of having an extra couple of days rest, with Celtic involved in UEFA Champions League action in Munich tonight.
Hibs drew 2-2 with the champions in Glasgow last month but the Head Coach insists that result will have no impact on Saturday’s semi-final.
He also appealed to the fans to travel in numbers to Hampden Park
Lennon told Hibernian Media: “The result at Celtic Park hasn’t changed my thinking about this fixture as I know exactly what the players are capable of and last month’s match won’t have a bearing at all in this game.
“The circumstances are similar with Celtic having played a midweek game going into the match, so if there is an advantage for us to be gained from that, then it is one that we have to take maximum hold of.
“I would imagine there will be a few personnel changes on both sides and it is a game that everyone connected with the club is looking forward to and relishing the prospect of being involved in.”
“It would mean a lot to me to win Saturday’s game and to be in charge of Hibs in a major final, but it would only have real significance if we went on to win it”.
“Despite that, I’m not thinking about the final, my main focus is on negotiating the Semi Final which I think is the toughest task in Scottish football.
“If we have a great backing at Hampden Park then that will help us. They have been fantastic since I have come into this job, both at home and away, and they will play a big part for us at the weekend.”
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.
