Hibs are likely as anyone to win next trophy Celtic drop

On first pass, it seems a bit of a reach for new Hibs manager, Jack Ross, to target challenging for domestic honours, with his team lying eight in the table, one of five clubs who have won only two league games this season.

Hibs were the last club to win a domestic trophy before Celtic went on their treble winning streak.  That Scottish Cup win, in 2016, came from an even more unlikely position than the bottom half of the Premiership, the club failed to win promotion from the Championship that season.

Aberdeen and Newco have provided the main challenge to Celtic in the league for six seasons now, but Aberdeen have won only one trophy, the 2013-14 League Cup, in 29 years, and Newco have only just reached their second final.  I’m not convinced either have what it takes to win silverware.

Celtic have plenty to do this season to stretch their grip on Scottish trophies, but winning the League Cup next month would frustrate the efforts of Newco, who are financially underwater and will want a trophy before their best ever team breaks up.

Hibs shipped five goals to Celtic in their Hampden semi-final earlier this month, but they had the better of play for periods of the second half.  They are significantly weaker than Newco right now, but this is just a snapshot.  If Celtic win next month’s final, Hibs are as likely to take the next trophy dropped by Celtic as anyone in the league.