Hoops' Hibs Battle Before Break

Hoops' Hibs Battle Before Break
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


Kyogoooaaalll! The Japanese talisman was on target when Celtic defeated Hibs 4-0 in December


Celtic Park, Glasgow
Saturday, 18 March 2023
15.00 GMT

Before the International break Celtic will be looking to sign off with another win and another step closer to the title, when Hibernian come to visit tomorrow.

Having booked their way into another Scottish Cup Semi-Final with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Hearts in Edinburgh last weekend, it is the challege from the other side of the Capital that faces Ange Postecoglo's side next.​

Lee Johnston's side are coming into this game with something to prove, looking to bounce back after a 4-1 loss last week, but apart from that have been in good form, winning 4 and drawing 1 of their previous 5 league games.

The visitors have certainly been up for the challenge when these sides have met, even in recent years. Despite the Leith men not being able to get the better of Celtic at Parkhead since January 2010 (and 2018 overall), it has to be acknowledged how many times Hibs have managed a share of the spoils - including 4 of the past 8 meetings.

But if the Hibees are to trouble Ange Postecoglou's side, they will need to do much better than in the 4-0 game at Easter Road just after Christmas, or on the last visit to Paradise, when the Hoops won 6-1 back in October.​

October: James Forrest netted a hatrick as Celtic produced a 6-1 mauling of Hibs at Paradise

By the Numbers​

• The Hoops are on a 13 game winning streak across all competitions. This is part of a run that is currently 20 wins in 21 unbeaten Premiership matches.

• Celtic remain unvanquished at Paradise by any Scottish opposition since January 2021 and have a 100% win record at home this domestic campaign.

• The Hoops have been undefeated against the ibees since Dec 2018 overall, with the last Hibs win at Parkhead being in Jan 2010.

• That said, 4 of the last 8 meetings between these teams have ended up drawn.

• The Edinburgh side have scored just 1 goal while allowing 7 in the first 15min of the 14 'Away' league games, indicating a trend of slow starts to these games.

• The Hibees also have the best disciplinary record across the entire division aside from the two Glasgow based clubs.

Aaron Mooy celebrates opening the scoring in the 3-0 Scottish Cup win against Hearts last week

Team News

The Celts will be without James Forrest and James McCarthy with muscle strains, while Greg Taylor and Daizen Maeda are also a concern. Meanwhile, Carl Starfelt has been called up by the Swedish NT, indicating he also should be potentially available to feature this weekend also.

As for Hibs, they will be without Aiden McGeady and Martin Boyle until next season, while Rocky Bushiri, Kyle Magennis and Joe Newell are all still sidelined til after the International break, however, Lee Johnson's midfield options could be bolstered by a potential return for Jake Doyle-Hayes.​

Referee: Steven McLean

The experienced official has 229 Premiership games in total to his name since his top flight debut in May 2010. This will be Celtic's 6th game this season (4 League, 1 ScCup previous) that McLean has been appointed to - including the 6-1 win over Hibs, back in October.

Celtic's Overall Record
M: 36 W: 29 D: 3 L: 4

VAR: Gavin Duncan​

~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 318 W: 183 D: 81 L: 54​

Last 5 Meetings
W W D W W

~~~~ 2022/23 Form ~~~~ ​

Overall
W W W W W ~ L W W W D

SPFL
W W W W W ~ L W W W D​