IF Brendan Rodgers is seeking for an up-to-date assessment of Wednesday’s opponents Hibs, the Celtic boss only has to ask one of his own players.
Midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu, who joined St Mirren on loan last month, played for 81 minutes of the Paisley club’s runaway 3-0 win over the Edinburgh side at Easter Road at the weekend.
Nick Montgomery’s side were swept away by Kwon and Co as the visitors raced to a three-goal advantage before the interval.
SHOVE OFF…Kwon Hyeok-kyu is challenged by Todd Cantwell.
The South Korean anchorman, who made his debut for the Saints in the narrow 1-0 loss to Philippe Clement’s Ibrox side the previous Saturday, was part of the team that took charge of the encounter practically from the kick-off and the result was never in doubt when Alex Gogic netted the opener beyond ex-Hoops keeper David Marshall in the eighth minute.
Kwon, who arrived at Parkhead along with winger Yang Hyun-jun in the summer, was hailed by Stephen Robinson for the part he played in the victory with Greg Kiltie (pen) and Mikael Mandron netting the others as they sent Hibs toppling to their fourth defeat in six league games.
The Paisley gaffer, speaking to The Scotsman, said: “Kwon was very good. You don’t pay £1million for players and they don’t have quality.
“It’s about game time now for him. He has hit the ground running and, as his fitness levels increase, I think he’ll get better.
“That was his best performance so far, he understands what we want and he gives us real composure on the ball.”
The champions toiled to a goalless stalemate against Hibs in Edinburgh in October when the nearest they came to breaking the deadlock was a late shot from substitute that clattered against the face of the crossbar.
A win is a priority this time out and Rodgers will surely welcome assistance from anywhere to gain maximum points to remain at the Premiership pinnacle.
