Willie Kirk, the Hibernian head coach, believes tomorrow's Scottish Cup final against Glasgow City has arrived at a great time for his players.
The two sides meet at Broadwood Stadium with each hoping to be the first to lift the trophy for a record sixth time.
Unlike the seven-times Scottish champions, Hibs have had a fortnight to prepare for the final. City have played two stamina-sapping Champions League games against Arsenal, the second of them as recently as Wednesday night.
"That could have an effect on them mentally because they haven't had much time to prepare for the final," Kirk said. "But it shouldn't matter physically because the players train so much now that they can cope with three games in nine days."
It is Kirk's fourth season in charge of Hibs and although he has yet to taste victory over today's opponents in a league match, outcomes of cup games have been much more favourable. The clubs have met four times in knock-out competitions since Kirk took over with each winning twice. "We beat them in the Scottish Cup in my first season, and in the League Cup in my second," he said.
Hibs' 2010 Scottish Cup win was their fifth, while Glasgow City also won their fifth last season and are bidding to become the first club to win three in a row. "This is the first season since I took charge that we have finished runners-up in the league," Kirk said. "Previously we have started well but fallen away. This is the best squad I have had to work with."
Eddie Wolecki Black's side, who incredibly haven't been beaten in a league match since November, 2008, are looking for back-to-back domestic trebles. The City coach said: "We haven't had as much time as I would have liked to prepare for this year's final due to our Champions League games, but that is what it is like at our club as the big games just keep coming.
"Hibs are a very talented team with lots of energy and pace. They have a good mix of experience and youth and have players of international standard in their ranks."
Three of these - Shannon Lynn, Frankie Brown and Joelle Murray -played in the last Scottish Cup win over City. The emerging star of the side, now Caroline Weir has joined Arsenal, is 17-year-old midfielder Lizzie Arnott.
"She has the potential to be one of the best players this country has ever produced," Kirk said. "She is the last person to come off the training pitch and is absolutely exceptional. When she arrived at the club it took me about four months to realise which was her best foot as she is so good on both of them." Kick-off at Broadwood tomorrow is at 3pm.
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