Hibs Preview: Last week’s allies are this week’s enemies
By: Matt | May 9th, 2008
This title run is a funny thing. For both Celtic fans and Rangers fans, a squad you could be cheering on one week could be trying to knock you off the next. This is even more so with the Scottish Premier League’s crazy split format. During this time of the schedule, you know that you are playing a decent club. Each club is fighting for something. Whether it be for the league or the last spot for Europe, each team is fighting for something and they will probably be bringing their best effort. Even more so when clubs face Celtic or Rangers. This is definitely the case this upcoming Sunday for Celtic when they take on Hibs. A week ago, Hibs were able to keep Rangers scoreless and earn a draw to put Celtic (hypothetically, they are still technically up 5 points with Rangers having games in hand) within 2 points of Rangers. Yet, Hibs will be travelling to Celtic Park this Sunday to try and gain a similar result or better.
On Saturday, Celtic will perhaps don their tangerine (not orange, of course) and hope that the Terrors of Dundee United, will be able to take points from Rangers. The Bhoys loyalties will change in a week as they travel to Dundee in perhaps (if Rangers lose) a game to clinch the league. All of this certainly makes for an exciting finish to the league, which it did not look like so much a month or two ago.
Coming into Sunday’s game, the last 5 games against Hibs at Celtic Park, Celtic has not lost with winning 3 and drawing two. Hibs have not scored won in the last 3 games and have only scored twice in that same time. It seems that now is a decent time to play Hibs. I would expect them to play some “anti-fitbaw” and put a lot of players in the back, hoping to counter. By all accounts, last week’s match against Rangers saw lots of mucking and not much offense (surprising nil-nil result, eh?). It seems that we’ve at least unlocked the combination of Rangers wattienacio so hopefully they can find the holes in Hibs defense. It is obviously a must win for Celtic so hopefully the Bhoys will come out with all guns blazing. If Dundee get a result on Saturday, it will certainly help the cause.
Captain Stephen McManus has missed a few matches, but it reported to be fit for Sunday’s clash. The same can not be said for Andres Hinkel as he has picked up a knock so expect to see Mark Wilson at Right Back.
I think Hibs will be playing back for a majority of the game. Celtic are on a roll as of late and if they can control the ball early an early goal seems more likely. If Celtic can pick up that early goal and make Hibs open up more, that will leave the back more open and hopefully Celtic can put away Hibs early with a goal or two more. My prediction…Celtic 2 Hibs 0.
In award news, Barry “Robo Cop” Robson picked up the player of the month award for April. I don’t think it is a coincidence that Celtic’s comeback in the league coincides with Robson and his Midfield partner Paul Hartley getting into the starting 11. It also seems that Gordon Strachan has nicked the Manager of the Month statue from whoever won for April as well….ah just kidding!
Another preview found here: http://thelordofthewing.blogspot.com/
Stats provided by the very useful Celtic Stats: http://www.celticstats.co.uk/
Category: Celtic
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments
-
There are rumors that Hartley might have picked up an injury as well. Would be bad news bears as he and Robo have seemed to develop some magic in the middle.
Posted from
United States
-
One of the best games of fitba’ I have seen at CP this season. Credit to Hibs, maybe my view of them being a long ba’ team was incorrect. It does make me wonder why they didnae play that way last week against The Huns.
Fletcher looks a player, as does Shiels and I was impressed wie Morais. But….at the back they will be let doon. Whoever told Rob Jones he was a football player needs their heid looked at. He disnae jump, he wrestles and just clatters into center forwards from the back. No football aboot him at all and just constant fouls, which went unpunished on numerous occasions.
He is like a Giraffe wie the co-ordination of Dumbo that has been told to play football or he widnae be getting fed.
We had Arfur to thank at times but that’s what he is paid for. I thought Hartley was immense in the middle of the park and Robson was subdued when compared to his recent performances. Once again we didnae have overlapping fullbacks to help oor wide men (both Willo and Nayls had mares- why no Paul Caddis?) who both had days to forget.
We played a lot of nice stuff, had decent variation in oor play and I thought JVOH played very well in the 2nd half before going of injured.
Still a few worries, but nothing new to worry aboot.
But we have taken it to the last day. After oor March this point seemed impossible.
Nice wee lap of honor from the players, some will be back others won’t and some we don’t want back but it’s always nice to thank the players for their effort. Kudos to the fans today.
I’m physically drained, it’s been emotional for the last few weeks and now I have 11 days before the final wringer……
See newsnow are report….. “Celtic beat 9 man Hibs……”
Posted from
United States -
I was really impressed with Hibs today and I am really surprised they didn’t give the ‘well a better fight for the last Europe spot…one of our best games in awhile, and maybe all year…can only think of the first game at Pittodrie
Posted from
United States
Comments are closed
Home 
