'Inevitable' champions Hibs will be targets - Adams

Scotland striker Eilidh Adams says it's "inevitable" that her Hibernian side will have a target on their back after surprising many by winning the Scottish Women's Premier League last season.

But the 21-year-old says they believe they are "good enough to compete" - and are capable of doing it again - as they prepare to start the new campaign against Aberdeen on Sunday, live on BBC Alba.

Adams described the previous campaign as her "best yet at the club", with 24 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions helping Hibs to secure an "incredible" title on the final day.

"We're the champions. Everyone will want to beat us," Adams told BBC Scotland. "And, if they do, it's a massive thing."

Hibs triumphed 1-0 against Rangers on the final day last season to claim their first league title in 18 years.

Glasgow City and Celtic, who finished second and fourth, respectively, will have title aspirations this time around, as will Hibs' city rivals Hearts.

However, Adams says the continuity in Grant Scott's squad will stand the champions in good stead.

"I think obviously we've got quite a similar squad, we've not brought in too many new faces, which I do think helps," Adams said. "You don't need to go through that period of getting a team to get to know each other.

"I think it's just about kind of doing what we did last season. And obviously we've got a belief now, quite a lot of belief, given what we achieved last season, that we're good enough to compete and why not do it again?"

Adams admits she is expecting stiff competition this season, especially after the league was reduced from 12 teams to 10.

"Every season it seems to get more competitive, which is brilliant," she said. "But we know it's an extremely difficult task and nobody's really done that recently, retain the title.

"When I was first joined, there was very much a gap between the teams. But season on season, it's just improved. And, as a player, as a spectator, it's brilliant.

"I expect this season to be even more competitive and more exciting than last season."