Kirk: Hibs Ladies can silence critics

City recently clinched their sixth successive Scottish Women’s Premier League title and the Easter Road girls are determined to show they will offer a bigger challenge of the champion’s dominance next term.

Hibs are the only side to defeat City in recent years and they are aiming to take their opponents scalp once again when they face one another at Albyn Park (kick-off 2.00pm).

“For the last five or six years Glasgow City have been head and shoulders above everyone else,” commented Kirk. “I’ve watched with envy as they have played in the Champions League and that is where I want us to be.

“We have the talent to get there but we will have to do more than match the standards set by City to get there.

“In my view the only thing that has stopped us reaching that level is ourselves. Player-for-player we are every bit as good as they are, however what we lack is belief in ourselves.

“Victory tomorrow and on Wednesday in the Scottish Cup would prove the doubters wrong.”

Elsewhere, Spartans boss Debbi McCulloch is targeting victory over Forfar Farmington at Ainslie Park (kick-off 1.00pm) as they look to build on last weekend’s win against Aberdeen.

McCulloch commented: “It was important to win last weekend to end a run of disappointing results and now we want to build some momentum.

“Forfar will be tough opponents as their result last weekend against Hibs shows and they will be difficult to break down, but I’m confident we can get three points.”

Meanwhile, Hutchison Vale aim to keep the pressure on rivals Hamilton Academical in their quest to finish top of the bottom six by defeating Kilmarnock.

Hutchie face the Ayrshire side at St Joseph’s Academy (kick-off 2.30pm) and manager Ian McDonald expects nothing less than a comfortable win for his girls.

“Without being disrespectful to Killie it would be a big upset if we failed to take three points tomorrow. We are also looking to score a few goals and improve our goal difference,” he said.