Neil Lennon reckons an arduous schedule makes Saturday a good time to take on Celtic but is wary of facing a backlash from a wounded opponent.

Hibs face the Scottish champions in a League Cup semi-final this weekend, three days after Celtic's 3-0 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich in Germany.

The Easter Road side are aiming to end the Hoops' 59-game undefeated run and book their spot in November's Hampden showpiece.

The former Celtic boss said: "They will obviously be hurting after Wednesday night and there might be some sort of backlash from that so we have to be ready for that."

"But there is obviously fatigue, it's a big ask to play on a Wednesday night and then on a Saturday at 12.15pm.

"I understand Brendan's frustrations. I experienced them myself when I was at Celtic."

He added: "It's probably a good time to play them, without us having a midweek game, so if there is any advantage for us to take we must utilise that as best we can."

The national stadium has become a familiar stamping ground for the Leith side, having won the Scottish Cup in 2016 and finished runners-up in the League Cup the same season.

Lennon believes such experience will benefit his players and tipped John McGinn to shine after the midfielder's double in last month's 2-2 draw at Parkhead.

He said: "He's a big-game player and I have a few of those in the team. They've been at Hampden on a few occasions now so it won't be unfamiliar surroundings for them.

"John is playing very, very well, so he's in a good vein of form and I hope he carries that on into the game tomorrow because we're going to need everybody at their best.

"I'm sure Celtic will have pinpointed him as a danger to them so it's about how he reacts to that."

Hibs sit sixth in the Premiership but Lennon believes with a more clinical touch in front of goal they would be higher up the table.

"It's a source of frustration rather than a concern," he said.

"We have been on top in all the games but the conversion rate has to be better.

"We are playing really well - from tee to green we are very good but we just have the yips at the minute."