Hibs Host Hoops in League Clash

Hibs Host Hoops in League Clash
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


February: Matt O'Riley in action against Hibs when these sides last met


Easter Road, Edinburgh
Sunday, 11 April 2024
12.30 BST

The Hoops head out on the road for the first time in the League this season, as they travel through to the Capital to take on Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday - the first of a pair of fixtures between these sides over this coming week.

The Bhoys will be looking to continue on with their fine early season form and carry over from the 4-0 victory over Killie on the opening day of the Premiership campaign, last weekend. It was an impressive team performance, with 7 different players credited with either a goal or an assist, as well as being defensively solid, ensuring a quiet afternoon - and a clean sheet - for Kasper Schmeichal on debut.

That said, tomorrow present a completely different challenge for Celtic.

Indeed, statistically speaking, this is one of the most difficult 'away' days for the Bhoys.

In fact, since 2017, the Hoops have managed just 3 wins from the past 13 visits to Easter Road - with Ange Postecoglou responsible for 2 of those successes - while there have been 7 draws and 3 defeats in that time, which underlines how tricky this fixture is.


Nicolas Kuhn has started the season in impressive form, including scoring against Killie last week

As for Brendan Rodgers' personal record, it is enough to give any fan further cause for concern going into this game, with just the 1 win, along with 2 draws and 2 losses from his 5 previous visits. But it is not simply the results that present a serious concern.

The Irishman's first attempt came in December 2017, when a Scott Sinclair brace seemingly had the Celts on course before the hosts rallied to finish 2-2. Since then a late Odsonne Edouard consolation in April 2018 is the only goal that a Brendan Rodgers' Celtic side have managed from open play at Easter Road in almost 400 minutes of football.

Despite Hibs' well earned 'Jekyll and Hyde' reputation, it seems that they save some of their best all round displays for this fixture, while the Hoops have all too often proven toothless by comparison.

Even in the most recent visit that resulted in Rodgers only win in Leith, there was an element of fortune about the final result, after a very pedestrian and lacklustre performance in which Celtic produced just 3 shots on target throughout - 2 of those were from the penalty spot including 1 which was awarded deep into time added on at the end, allowing Adam Idah the chance to step up, as the Hoops managed to escape with a very fortunate and undeserved win.


Feb: Adam Idah's brace of penalties gave Rodgers his only victory in 5 attempts at Easter Road

As for the hosts, there is still adapting happening as they look to gel under the guidance of new manager, David Gray, since he was placed in permanant charge of the Edinburgh club following an uptick in the team's fortunes when he was appointed as interum manager for the closing months of the 2023/24 campaign.

While they have progressed from the Group Stage of the League Cup, the Edinburgh side went down to a 3-0 loss in the opening Premiership clash with St Mirren last weekend, in a performance that Gray labelled as 'unacceptable'.

So to say the least, they will be looking for a much improved display as they take on the Hoops tomorrow, and this game will not only be about the three Premiership points on offer to both sides, but with a League Cup encounter between these clubs set for next weekend, it has the potential to provide eiher side with a psychological edge going into that game also.

Stats & Facts​

• Since Hibernian won promotion back to the Premiership in 2017, the Bhoys have won 12 of the past 24 league meetings overall between these sides (P24 W12 D9 L3).

• However, Celtic have won just 3 of their last 13 visits to Easter Road (P13 W3 D7 L3).

• Brendan Rodgers will also want to improve his personal record in this fixture, where he has tasted success just once in 5 visits to Leith across both spells as Celtic boss (P5 W1 D2 L2).

Daizen Maeda could be returning to action after being included in the squad for tomorrow

Team News

There has been some doubt regarding Daizen Maeda (knee), however the Japanese International is likely to be included in the squad for this weekend, although how much he will be able to take part remains to be determined.

As for the hosts, veteran winger Junior Hoilett, Scotland U/21 striker Kieron Bowie and midfielder Nicky Cadden should be avaiiable after the trio joiined Hibs this week, which will help to strengthen David Gray's attacking options, while the doubts over Elie Youan's fitness remains.

Referee: Nick Walsh

Walsh has 158 Premiership games to his credit since his debut at this level in 2016. Celtic have won each of their last 12 games (10 League, 1 League Cup and last season's Scottish Cup Final) when he has been the referee, including three Glasgow derby victories, three against Hearts, as well as the last time these clubs met, back in February.

Celtic Overall Record with Walsh
M: 34 W: 29 D: 4 L: 1

VAR: Allan Muir


~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 321 W: 184 D: 82 L: 55​

Last 5 Meetings
W W D L W

~~~~ 2024/25 Form ~~~~

SPFL
W ~ L​