QUEEN of the South manager James Fowler has warned his players to be ready for a Hibs backlash.
The Leith side’s title hopes have all but evaporated after back-to-back Championship losses to Morton and Alloa left Alan Stubbs’ side 11 points adrift of Rangers with only 10 games left.
The Doonhamers also came away empty-handed from games against Rangers and Falkirk and are now four points adrift of the play-off positions.
Fowler wants to see his own team respond in the right manner but admits they have to brace themselves for a reaction from Hibs.
Fowler said: “Hibs will be looking to bounce back but I hope my players are as well.
“It’s how we react but we’ve got to expect a reaction from Hibs after their last couple of results. They’ll be disappointed with their recent results.
“We’ve got to be ready for that and make sure we’re at it.”
Tonight’s clash with Hibs completes a demanding run against the Championship’s top three but there is no let-up for Queens with crucial matches against play-off rivals Raith Rovers, St Mirren and Morton on the horizon.
Fowler added: “It’s all to play for in terms of the play-offs and there will still be plenty of twists and turns.
“We’ve got a run of games against the teams that are around about us in the table after Hibs.
“We were happy with how we competed against Rangers, we were slightly better than Falkirk in the first half but Falkirk took their chances.
“We’re looking for a Rangers-type performance against Hibs.”
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