Hibs 'can compete' against Inter Milan - Adams

Hibernian striker Eilidh Adams expects "an extremely tough game" against Inter Milan in their Europa Cup qualifier, but is relishing the prospect of Wednesday's first leg in Italy.

Hibs dropped into the newly-established competition after finishing third in their Champions League qualifying group.

"Obviously they've got that name - Inter Milan - everyone knows the name," Adams, 21, told BBC Scotland.

"We know it's going to be an extremely tough game. Maybe even slightly harder opposition, despite it being the Europa Cup.

"But we've shown that we can compete, so we've got confidence and belief in ourselves going into the game."

Hibs lost their Champions League qualifying semi-final against Fortuna Horring of Denmark, but then beat Apollon Limassol of Cyprus in their third-place play-off.

Inter Women's lost to Brann in their Champions League semi-final then beat Valur of Iceland 4-1 in the play-off to ensure their European journey also continued.

"It's good to have had that experience out in Cyprus against top opposition," said Adams. "The first game especially was really difficult and something we've probably not experienced before with quite a young group.

"Now we kind of know the level we need to be at. The style of play is completely different. Big, strong, physical players. Speed of play. It's all just a bit different to this league."

Inter do not begin their domestic league campaign until early October but did beat Fiorentina at the weekend to reach the semi-finals of the Serie A Women's Cup.

SWPL champions Hibs go to Milan off the back of a disappointing 2-0 derby defeat by Hearts and Adams says they need to bounce back quickly for a testing run of fixtures.

"We've not got the biggest squad," the Scotland international said. "But it's what we want. We won the league last year and this is what we get for it.

"We just need to take it in our stride. We know there'll be tough points, especially with the home and away league. It's a lot of football.

"But as a player, that's what you want to do. You want to be playing matches."

The return against Inter will take place at Easter Road and Adams believes a big home crowd could be crucial in the context of the tie.

"Obviously, we really want to still be in the game at that point," she said.

"I think being able to play somewhere like Easter Road under the lights, hopefully we can get a really good turnout.

"Our aim first and foremost is the game on Wednesday night, but we're hoping then going into the home leg, we can still be in the game."