Safety of players a concern for Hibs manager Dean Gibson

As Hibs prepare for their fifth game within a two-week period, the safety of Dean Gibson’s players is now becoming a concern for the manager ahead of their clash with Celtic.

Hibs had eight outfield players unavailable for their game against Hearts on Wednesday. Lucy Parry started the derby injured due to the lack of availability the Edinburgh side currently has. Her condition may have now worsened after she had to receive treatment in the game meaning she may miss Sunday’s game. Poppy Lawson also had to have her leg iced before the Hearts game to get her through the fixture. With another game right around the corner, Gibson's concerns for his player's safety grow.

“It’s just the run we’ve had,” he told the Edinburgh Evening News. “We came into the derby on Wednesday and then we go on to play one of the top three again. It’s a hard, hard schedule and it would be easier if we had our squad, we’ve not got our squad but the players will go again and do what they need to do.

“For me, I am starting to worry about the safety of the players and where we are at. We don’t have any more players, if Lucy [Parry] goes out and she tells me she is not available or anyone else such as Poppy [Lawson] then I don’t know where we go. It’s hard, it’s difficult but we will keep going.”

Hibs will host Celtic at the Meadowbank Stadium this Sunday with it being the last time the Edinburgh club play at their home venue this season. Kick-off is at 13:10 live on BBC Alba.