Lee Johnson admits Hibs' sole focus is securing European football for next season.
The Easter Road club have gone five games unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership ahead of facing Derek McInnes' relegation battling Kilmarnock in the capital. The Hibees boss expects a tough test from the Ayrshire outfit due to their dangerous wide men and physical nature.
Depending on how results go in the other games, Hibs could end the day sitting fourth in the league standings with a Euro adventure firmly in sight as Johnson urges his side to maintain their good form of late. He could also be boosted by the return of Kevin Nisbet who has a 50:50 chance of playing while Kyle Magennis is back in training. He told the official Hibs website: “Kilmarnock are a physical side, they are a good side. They have good quality in their delivery with two wide men that are dangerous and carry a threat. I think they have been a bit hard done by in previous games, so we know we have to be at it and test their defence.
READ MORE: Hibs chief reveals director of football timeline as Lee Johnson hailed and former boss a 'candidate'
Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
“We are in a very different place as a squad now, compared to the last time we played them; we have a lot more quality in the final third and a lot more options from the bench which is really important.
"We are all really looking forward to the game, we are in good spirits and in good form and we need to take that to a strong Kilmarnock side.
“Depending on how results go elsewhere, we have an opportunity to go fourth in the league. European football is the sole focus for us now.
“Last week was more technical focussed, but we’ve cranked up the intensity ahead of this weekend’s game, both tactically and psychologically.
“It has been good to get some players back to fitness and back on the grass. It has been a good atmosphere around the training ground and we are all building up to a very important game against Kilmarnock on Saturday.”
On the injury front, he added: “Kevin Nisbet as a 50:50 chance of playing this weekend, we need to sit down with him. He has had a couple of days training, so he could be an option to use off the bench for sure, but we have to see how he feels.
“Kyle Magennis has been really good, he is back training and is in a very good place. Jake (Doyle-Hayes) has been training too, but he still has a pinch of pain so we may need to look at getting an injection for him.
“Mykola is back out on the grass, he is building up confidence with his ball-striking at the moment. He is moving very well and looks fit. He will be like a new signing for us when he comes back, we are looking at potentially the Livingston game in a couple of weeks for his return.”
READ NEXT:
- Mikey Devlin details Hibs opportunity as he admits to being 'absolutely thrilled' over transfer
- Hibs star Kyle Magennis in Jack Ross owe 'everything' message as he labels him his 'idol'
