Source: Team_Talk
Mixu still dreaming of Europe
The Leith club host Dundee United on Saturday in their first Scottish Premier League post-split match, with seven points separating themselves and the fourth-placed Tannadice outfit.
Hibs squeezed into the top half of the table after a tense battle with Motherwell to be grouped in the upper echelons.
Despite that achievement, Paatelainen does not want his players resting on their laurels as they still have a slim chance of finishing in the top four.
He said: "There are enough points to get into Europe; it's a tall ask but that's maybe because of my stupid optimism and positivity.
"This is what motivates me.
"We are playing for victories, it's as simple as that but it will be very difficult.
"Top six matches are very tough, we are playing against the top teams in the country and we are glad to be apart of that.
"We take nothing for granted but we will try our best and try and win as many matches as we can.
"One way you can look at it, how will the players respond to this situation?
"Do you go slack, thinking we have qualified for the top six?
"The first target of the season has been achieved, the biggest target.
"Will they take their foot off the pedal and not perform? I certainly hope that's not the case.
"Or are they motivated now to push on?"
Despite the points difference between the sides, there is little to choose between Hibs and United heading into the game following a win for either side and a draw in the three previous fixtures this season.
However, Paatelainen, who is without suspended trio Rob Jones, Sol Bamba and Colin Nish, is confident his men can collect maximum points.
He said: "These matches are big - they are always big.
"We will try and get as positive a start to the top six as possible.
"We realise Dundee United are a good team. I am not saying at all that we should beat them or will go out and beat them.
"We will try our best.
"If we play as well as we can, we will beat them. We have been very inconsistent at times this season and that danger is always there."
