NEIL LENNON will welcome back Paul Hanlon and Darren McGregor for Hibs’ clash with Aberdeen at Easter Road tomorrow.
But the Irishman is still convinced there is a void between his squad and the one his Pittodrie counterpart Derek McInnes has at his disposal.
The Dons, sitting two places above the Edinburgh side, are the only one of their main challengers to have gained maximum points from head to heads with Lennon’s men this season.
Asked if the eight-point gap reflected the difference between the squads, he replied: “Yes. I think the depth they have, they have been building this for three or four years.
“They have had a bit of investment, they haven’t spent millions, but Derek has got good players in and they do have strength in depth, a little bit more than us.
“Our challenge, if we can, is to get to that level on a consistent basis.
“They’ve got goals from midfield, they have goals from wide areas, goals from strikers. Particularly at home they are a very formidable side.”
The Dons have won their last four games, while claiming 14 goals and McInnes led his team to a 4-1 win against Hibs in December.
Lennon added: “I don’t think that result will linger, but I think there will be an incentive there.
“Aberdeen have beaten us the last three times we have played. To be fair, there was fatigue the last time, but you have to give credit to them, they were excellent.
“That was probably the best performance against us of any team this season. They were very good. So it’s going to be a tough game, but one we are relishing.”
