Hibernian's six point lead at the top of the Scottish Championship does not reflect just how hard the campaign has been, according to Andrew Shinnie.

The on-loan midfielder has stressed the psychological difficulty of maintaining standards in the league, with every opposition side desperate to knock the Easter Road men off their perch.

Asked what it was like playing with the expectation that Hibs should be winning every week, Shinnie said: "People do think that from the outside, which is only normal, but every team raises their game when they come and play us.

"It is difficult venues to go to, like Dumbarton, and it is hard.

"The manager stresses that all the time - it is not easy to win games every week.

"The boys have been fantastic and we are in really good shape just and looking to kick on."

Manager Neil Lennon has spent his time at the helm of the club stressing to his squad that it takes a strong mentality to maintain title-winning form over the course of a season.

And he drew an example from midweek to show what Hibs are up against in their quest for automatic promotion.

Lennon said: "Raith went to Hearts and held them over two games, which just shows that when teams raise their levels against you it is difficult to keep your own consistency going.

"With us, teams raise their game. Rangers had that last year and Hearts experienced it the year before.

"It is difficult and it is competitive but we have given ourselves a bit of a cushion now.

"We look now to forge ahead in the league, but it is not easy."