Defender Paul Hanlon aims to continue Hibs' trend of responding quickly to defeat when they welcome Aberdeen to Easter Road today. Hibs have won five and drawn two of their seven home game this season and, following a 3-1 loss at Dundee last weekend, are determined to keep the unbeaten streak going at home against a side one place and three points below them in the league. The most recent loss prior to the Dens Park defeat, at Ross County, was followed by a 4-0 win at Motherwell and Hanlon would be happy with a similar result. He said: "We were majorly disappointed after the game at Dundee. We just need to pick ourselves up like we have done throughout the season. When we've had bad results we've bounced back right away. Hopefully we'll do that again this weekend.'' Hanlon has picked up the captain's arm band from his regular central defensive partner James McPake due to the club captain's back injury. He is happy with the additional responsibility and is looking to ensure Hibs do not notice McPake's absence. Hanlon said: "It's a bit of an adjustment moving to the right side of defence. James has helped a lot since he came in. He's a good leader and gives me tips. Hopefully I can put a good performance at the weekend and show we don't need him in the team every week.'' Abedeen striker Rory Fallon believes his side can challenge Celtic for the title and a win over Hibs can be achieved by nullifying the effectiveness of on-form striker Leigh Griffiths. With 13 goals so far, Griffiths is the top scorer in the SPL and Fallon believes the on-loan Wolves striker's goals are the main reason for Hibs' lofty position. Looking back to the Dons 2-1 win at home in September, Fallon said: "I think they're doing well, but when they came here I thought they struggled. I feel their strikers are dragging their team along. Griffiths, if we stop him, they won't score. He's the one getting all the goals. I believe that we're a better team than them. Obviously we'll have to prove that on the day.'' A win at Easter Road would take the Dons to second in the SPL, leading their hosts by goal difference, but Fallon's sights are set even higher as his side aim to respond from the 2-0 loss to leaders Celtic. The forward said: "Some people are happy for Celtic to go off and win it, but I'm one of those guys that believes we can win it. If people believe Celtic are going to win it, they're going to win it. If we don't believe we can do well and push up higher, then what's the point of even playing? I really don't see the point in people just giving Celtic the title already. That's not how I work. I work through belief and having faith. Celtic have probably got the biggest squad, but we've got the strongest squad after them.''
Source: ScottishFitba
Source: FOOTYMAD
