New Hibernian boss Marink Reedijk is still in search of his first win in charge after losing his opening two games. As for Celtic, they’ll look to brush themselves off after losing to Celta Vigo in the Europa League by showing why they’re still on top of the Scottish Premiership.
The last time these sides met, Celtic ran out 2-1 victors at Easter Road en route to the title. In fact, 2-1 is a common scoreline in this fixture. Celtic’s last two visits to Leith have been 2-1 victories, with Hibs taking their own 2-1 win at Celtic Park last season. The last time Hibs won this fixture at home was by the same scoreline in February 2025 thanks to a Josh Campbell double.
Hibs will come into this match on the back of consecutive defeats under new boss Marink Reedijk. The Dutchman’s first game in charge witnessed a 1-0 defeat at Tannadice, whilst Hibs were on the receiving end of a 2-1 loss to Falkirk at Easter Road last Saturday. Many were excited by Reedijk’s appointment during the international break, but it seems it will take time for him to implement his system, but everyone at Hibs will be hoping it’s sooner rather than later as Hibs languish at the bottom of the league.
In his pre-match press conference, Reedijk said: “It’s a match like any other. Three points; that’s the most important thing. Celtic is a good team to play against, it gives us challenges – but we can also give them challenges. ‘Hopefully, we can make sure that we keep the three points in Edinburgh.”
Reedijk would also comment on whether his players were short on confidence at the moment, as they currently sit bottom and winless since September, he said: ‘Belief starts with yourself; that you do things that become more and more clear over time. Confidence is not something you can switch on with a button. Confidence starts with hard work, smart work. We need to focus on the things we have control over and, eventually, people will ‘get’ confidence, if you like.”
As for Celtic, Martin O’Neill will be hoping to erase Thursday night’s defeat to Celta Vigo from memory as Celtic sit second from bottom in the Europa League. Contrastingly, they sit top of the Scottish Premiership, and their last league outing was a 7-1 drubbing of Hearts, rubbing salt into the wounds across the other side of Edinburgh.
Team News:
Hibs are expected to be without as many as seven first team players on Sunday. Longer term absences such as Rocky Bushiri, Jordan Obita and Kenayo Megwa are expected to miss the match, whilst Callum Wright, Nathan Lowe, Jacob Devaney seem to be newer injuries. There’s still no sight of goalkeeper Jordan Smith on the Hibs bench, with the Englishman not appearing in a matochday squad since early September.
As for Celtic, Alastair Johnston is still a doubt, whilst Jota is still n the way back, you’d imagine Martin O’Neill sticks with the idea that defeated their title rivals 7-1 last weekend.
Predicted XIs:
Hibernian: Sallinger, Passlack (C), Kerr, Ivezic, Cadden, Mulligan, Chaiwa, Elding, Abdulai, McGrath, Klidje
Celtic: Sinisalo, Donovan, Murray, Scales, Tierney, Baur, McGregor (C), Hassan, Nygren, Duran, Osmand
