Edinburgh twice in a week, tough fixtures loom for Celtic

I wanted a home draw but while Hibs deservedly beat Celtic in December, the fortunes of both teams have moved in opposite directions since then.  We know the challenge at Easter Road and should be prepared for it.

News that the three teams competing for second spot in the league are also competing for the same place in the semi-finals is welcome.  We knew they would take points off each other in recent weeks, and they did.  They will weaken each other’s title challenge with the focus which will inevitably fall on these cup games.

The one concern I have is that this game against Hibs will be our second visit to Edinburgh that week; we are at Tynecastle the previous Wednesday, scene of another defeat this season.  Before then, we are at Kilmarnock and face Valencia twice.  It is a good job we have players returning from injury.