LENNON: HIBS CAN BEST TIRED HOOPS

HIBERNIAN head coach Neil Lennon thinks his side may have a slight advantage as they prepare to face Celtic in the Betfred Cup semi-finals.

Celtic are in the midst of a 59-game unbeaten domestic run but needed a late Callum McGregor goal to seal a 2-2 draw against Hibs in September.

The two sides face off again t his weekend at Hampden Park, and Lennon has suggested the Hoops’ Champions League exertions could offer his side an edge going into the game but played down the importance of the previous encounter.

He said: “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.”