Notley: We're Excited To Be Back

After three weekends without a fixture, Ellis Notley is "excited" to be back on the pitch this weekend as Hibs Women seek three points against Celtic this Sunday (15 March). 

Notley is one of two Hibees - alongside Tegan Bowie - to have played in every single competitive match this season, and is now preparing to lead the team into the upcoming crucial 10-match post-split run-in. 

Speaking to Hibs TV, our vice-captain went into detail on how the squad and staff approached the break ahead of our anticipated return to league action.

"We've had some rest and recovery within those weeks, some well-earned days off within the group. 

"We had a bounce game against a team which was good to get minutes in the legs. Training has been a good mix of some technical and some hard sessions to keep us tied over this international break. 

"As a squad, we're looking forward to the game on Sunday. The mentality going into (three games in one week) is just focus on each game as it comes. We're going into that game fully prepared with a good week of training under our belt. 

"We're excited for the next week and the next three games. But first and foremost, we've got Celtic on Sunday, and that's our main focus."

Versatile defender Faye Bryson's recent arrival on a permanent deal, as well as a number of players returning from injury, has enhanced Joelle Murray's squad ahead of our trip to New Douglas Park this weekend.

"Faye's settled in extremely well," Notley commented. "She's brought experience from playing down south and over in Australia. She's bringing that experience into the squad.

"We've also had players returning from injury. Linzi (Taylor) is back in, fully fit, ready to go. Shiv (Hunter) has returned to training this week.

"The squad's looking really healthy and it's freshening things up. It's making the squad more competitive and we're ready to compete."

The Hibees are on a three-match winning league run heading into their first post-split fixture, with Notley understanding the importance of putting in a positive performance to get off on the right foot ahead of the final stretch. 

"It’s massively important (to provide a positive performance). We're playing against one of the top sides in the country. So, we need to go out on Sunday fully prepared, put in a performance and play to the best of our ability. And that's what we set out to do. 

"They, just like us, are settling into new management. As a team, we're enjoying life under Joelle and we're constantly learning.

"I think Celtic pose their threats and we've analysed them throughout the week. But we need to focus on ourselves, that's what we've been doing. And we'll go into that Sunday fully prepared, looking to get three points."