We can follow in Lenny’s footsteps
Joelle insists Hibees can emulate guys’ success
JOELLE MURRAY reckons Hibs Ladies can follow in the footsteps of their male counterparts by winning the league this season.
The Hibees skipper was thrilled to see Neil Lennon’s men clinch the Championship title last weekend and seal their return to the top flight.
And Murray would love to make it a club double by leading her side to silverware in the SWPL.
The 30-year-old said: “We are a close-knit club and we support the men’s team so we are delighted with what they’ve achieved. It definitely pushes us to try to emulate that.
“Last year, when Hibs won the Scottish Cup, it was amazing.
“And for us to do it in the same season was fantastic for the club as a whole.
“You always want to start the league well, it gives you a good base going forward.
“And it has been brilliant to start the season in the manner we have done.
“We are sitting top of the league, albeit after only three games, and we want to continue that going forward.
“We had a good preseason, it was really intense.
“We have carried that intensity and tempo into the start of the league and the League Cup campaign.”
With a 100 per cent record in the league so far, Murray is determined to see Hibs finally end the dominance of Glasgow City, who are chasing their 11th consecutive title.
She added: “That’s our main goal this season. The title eluded us last year. We picked up both cups and we were second in the league.
“Hibs haven’t won the title for a good few years now so that’s certainly our main target.
“We are just looking to continue our early form into every game that comes now. It would be great for the game in this country to have someone else take that title – and we would like it to be us.
“The standard of the league is getting better. The gap is closing in terms of Glasgow City running away with things as they previously have done.
“It will be tight this year between three or four teams for who wins that title at the end of the season.”
The defender missed Scotland’s recent 5-0 friendly defeat to Belgium through injury but expects to be back in action soon and pushing for a place in Anna Signeul’s squad for the Euros.
Murray said: “I hope in the next week or two I’ll be back on the pitch on a match day.
“I’ll push to firstly get back playing for Hibs. Then a place in the European finals team is something I’m aiming for. It’s the first time Scotland has reached a major tournament and I want to be there.”