Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes expects a challenge from a team very much in the image of his own when Hibernian visit Pittodrie today (12.30).
Neil Lennon’s Hibs make the trip north as third plays fourth in the Premiership.
McInnes is a member of the Lennon fan club and has been hugely impressed with the work done by the former Celtic boss at Easter Road and knows his side will have to produce a performance against the Edinburgh club which is unbeaten away from home so far in the campaign.
He said: “Neil is getting the best out of the players he inherited but also added good quality.
“They’ve got good experience in Efe Ambrose and Anthony Stokes, players who have played for demanding clubs. Neil’s experience, his drive to do well, is evident in his team.
“I think that they’re very similar with the way they set up to my first Aberdeen team.
“They’ve good pace in the wide areas, they’re a good counter-attacking team and they’ve got goals in them.
“They’re hard working and I think they’re using the momentum of increased crowds and that feel good factor about the place. That can take you a long way. They’re in a good place and up there challenging.
“I think there’s a belief within their camp and rightly so, they’ve shown that they will be up there pushing with everybody else to get into those top spots.”
McInnes may be impressed with the opposition but he has been even more pleased with his own team’s displays after watching his side collect maximum points from trips to Dundee and St Johnstone.
Two wins without conceding a goal have only added to the improving mood at Pittodrie and the Dons boss is eager to make it a hat-trick today.
He said: “The last two performances have been good. We go into this game feeling good about ourselves but it’s not about what’s happened in the past, it’s on the challenge ahead.
“It’s a great game for us, we’re relishing the chance to go and take on a good Hibs team and let them know that we’re a good side. There will be a lot of good players on show in both teams.
“It will be an important three points, it always is when you play teams in and around you. We’re hopeful that we can continue the winning run we’re on.”
Frank Ross is in contention to return after returning to training following an ankle injury but Greg Tansey will miss out with a groin strain.
