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Daily Record
Daily Record
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Premiership split can help Hibs pinch third place insists Paul Heckingbottom

Paul Heckingbottom is refusing to give up on third place - and reckons the Premiership 's unique split makes the target achievable.

Hibs are currently six points off Kilmarnock who occupy the last automatic Euro spot.

And with just five games to go most onlookers would suggest the possibility of pipping Killie and Aberdeen to third is beyond the Easter Road club.

But Heckingbottom disagrees. The Englishman has led Hibs on a stunning eight-game unbeaten league run since his arrival two months ago.

SPFL announce 2019/20 season start date as Premiership retains winter break  

And, ahead of Sunday's home meeting with champions elect Celtic, he told Sky Sports: "It looks a long, long way and of course it is.

"We're not kidding ourselves, but I think with that format, it is different because you're playing all the top teams.

"It's quite easy for a team not to pick up points or not to pick up many points.

Paul Heckingbottom and Robbie Stockdale celebrate the opening goal (SNS)

"And then flip that, if you get results that people don't expect you to get; i.e. Sunday, you can gain a head start on everybody else."

Hibs face Celtic in Leith on Sunday before the final Edinburgh derby of the campaign, at Easter Road, a week later.

A trip to Ibrox to face Rangers follows before the campaign ends with a trip to Kilmarnock and home clash with Aberdeen.

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