Despite their lowly league position, Hibs will be a tough opponent

Despite their lowly league position, Hibs will be a tough opponent, but Celtic is more than capable of producing a strong performance to secure an important victory…

Celtic head to the capital this morning (weather permitting) with bottom place Hibs the hosts as we bid to re-establish our four point lead at the top of the table after our nearest challengers cut the gap after beating ten man St Johnstone on yesterday afternoon.

Today Celtic face the green half of Edinburgh

Naturally as this is a top versus bottom contest, the Scottish Premiership leaders will be viewed as overwhelming favourites, however in Scottish football nothing is that straightforward, with our record in Leith these past few years testament to the difficulties we will face against the green half of Edinburgh.

Hibs will also be itching to put on a performance in front of their own supporters as well as the TV cameras as they bid to haul themselves off the bottom of the table.

Easter Road always a tough destination for Celtic

Our last visit to Easter Road saw Martin O’Neill’s side clinch a vital three points, points that proved to be crucial in the outcome of the title, after a slender 2-1 win thanks to goals from Daizen Maeda, and Kelechi Iheanacho.

Indeed, throughout the years Easter Road has proven to be something of a hoodoo to Celtic, and today will be a tough challenge, especially with the drastic weather conditions that have wreaked havoc throughout the country also expected to hit the capital.

The mental and physical toll European football takes

Martin O’Neill and his players are also heading into the game on the back of a European defeat, and with that comes the mental and physical toll, so it’s fair to say that it will be something of a battle come the first whistle.

But Celtic came back from Lisbon last week with tails between legs after the 4-1 humbling and proceeded to hit Hearts for seven so hopefully today it’s the other half of the Auld Reekie that feels the full force if the Celtic wrath.

Celtic’s concerning record of five defeats in the last seven matches

But despite our recent concerning record of five defeats in the last seven matches, the Celtic players are still capable of producing a great performance and winning the game in a comfortable manner, similar to the way they convincingly beat Motherwell at Fir Park on our last domestic away fixture just after the international break.

With the likes of Mika Baur, Camilo Duran, Benjamin Nygren, and the returning Jota all in good form and offering us a terrific creative and goalscoring threat, we are more than capable of winning with something to spare. But we can take nothing for granted for a number of reasons.

Celtic more than capable of losing any game

Firstly we have shown we are more than capable of losing any game at this particular moment in time, and secondly Hibs will be fighting for their lives as the early threat of relegation lingers at the back of their minds.

Hibs have already beaten the Rangers this season and they will be even more desperate than usual to get the points today at Celtic’s expense. If we can’t match their hunger and aggression then there’s every chance we will drop points.

Celtic players need to be up for the fight

So it’s all about whether or not these Celtic players are up for the fight. If they are then we’ll be four points clear of the Rangers around 2pm this afternoon.

COYBIG

Just an Ordinary Bhoy