Hibernian lost 3-0 on their last league visit to Celtic Park. That game came a week after their season pivoted, as they rescued a point against Aberdeen. Their only defeat in 19 league games since was a 1-0 reversal at Pittodrie two weeks ago.
19 games is exactly half a season and that is title winning form. Hibs are third in the table, 12 points off a Champions League qualification spot, they can ponder what could have been, had David Gray’s side got their act together from the start of the campaign.
That 3-0 Celtic Park defeat flattered the home side. The result wasn’t there for Hibs, but we could see the potential they had. When they returned to the same venue on Scottish Cup duty in March, the champions were alert to the threat and deservedly progressed to the semifinals.
Tomorrow is not about the result for Celtic. Brendan Rodgers has a treble to win and will rightly rest those who need rested. We have to hope he will use the occasion to develop some of the talent withering on the Celtic bench.
By contrast, even a point tomorrow would be celebrated by Hibs. With three games to go, anything from Celtic tomorrow is likely to see them compete in European group stage football next season. That would bring money, resources, players and the kind of sunshine not seen in Leith for decades. Let’s see how they fare against the champions.
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Hello
27 years ago today my brother and I walked on, from Merchant City to Parkhead. It had been a rotten football weekend before, when Simon Donnelly’s goal was cancelled out by the quaintly named Craig Faulconbridge , that merely delayed title day.
Henrik Larsson set us on our way as we watched from high above the Jungle. Harald Bratbakk finished the job, what a history. Tomorrow we take the same route, the same pitch, same history, some of the same supporters, same old Celtic, always Champions.
Absent Friends CSC
I doubt there are players withering on the vine, yes unsuitable players signed for real money but they have not impressed the Manager or coaches to even make the squad, I trust the Manager’s judgement he will see them every day and gets the big bucks to make these decisions.
Indeed, Paul. Interesting for those advocating a 14-team league with a split after two rounds of games – Hibs were in the bottom half after two rounds this season and could easily finish third, rather than be cut off from the top half and a chance of a place in Europe.
I presume BR will take a close look at Triantis tomorrow.
withering on the vine…do tell!
“ We have to hope he will use the occasion to develop some of the talent withering on the Celtic bench “
– What Larks Paul67 – What Larks.
Triantis signed for Sunderland in 2023 on a 4 year deal.
Good test tomorrow, at least Hibs and Dundee come out and give you a game
Think Paul67 wouldn’t be unhappy with a Hibs win
If we repeat the defensive frailties which were on show in the 3-0 game , we may not be so lucky a second time .
I think we will be more aware of the threat the new super- duper , half-league winning Hibs pose though, and keep the points at Parkhead
Great result for Western United 3 v Adelaide 2 now thru to the two-leg semis against Tilio’s Melb City.
Western United’s young Celtic fan CH picked up a controversial yellow card (never IMO) and was asked after the game is it was a foul.
“Never; I got the ball.I won the ball. Reminded me of Simunovic’s tackle against….”
The kid was beaming, with Celtic in his heart :))
The kid being Dylan Leonard of course !
Smashing prospect.
Afternoon troops .
Talk of Triantis ……
I’ve always liked this guy
Dylan Levitt….
Eye for a pass
Comfortable on the ball
And a decent shot on him .
Always impresses me any time I see him .
https://youtu.be/_8jVLcQhNcE?si=vaIedBONm065Tnsf
A game which will suit Zheng Zhou to the ground
Or even Zheng Zhi….
marpapa
Re Levitt, a youngster at Old Trafford, and one who scored an incredible goal against us at Tannadice when he was with the Arabs. Gota vague memory of him also committing a really bad foul against us in another game.
Got a good footballing backdrop, and if we were to sell say Hatate, might be worth some consideration. Lets see how he matches up against us.
tickets for the William Hill Premiership match v St Mirren (Saturday, May 17 | Kick-off 12:30pm) will go on general sale from 10am on Monday, May 12.
Bit of a surprise….
Personally I’d be careful here. Form is not something that can be turned on with a flick of a switch.
We don’t want a defeat or a lethargic performance heading in to a game against the team we’ll meet in the cup final.
Do not give Aberdeen a glimmer of hope.
if you want to know how shite the Daily Ranger’s football reporting is check this out re Triantis:
‘Portsmouth could rival Hibs in the race to sign Nectarios Triantis.
The Championship new boys were keen on the Aussie before his loan to Easter Road and remain impressed by his form this season. Pompey manager and Oz hero John Aloisi has kept tabs on the 21-year-old, who has excelled in midfield after arriving as a stopper.’
John Aloisi is the manager of Western United (at least he was when interviewed on TV in Melb tonite about his side’s win. John Mousinho is an ex-English footballer and the manager of Portsmouth ffs.
Acht well; these weird foreign sounding names – who cares for fact-checking !! Atrociously weak standards.
Reading that lead piece from P67 one would think that Celtic could lie down to Hibs .
I certainly hope not.
After much planning and expense, I get to bring my grandson to see his first game in Celtic Park, a reward for his confirmation.
We go to see the mighty Celtic WIN, as always.
Let Hibs look after their own business, the business of Celtic is playing to the best of their ability for the fans.
The Blogger
Good point re the Aberdeen game . A convincing result before going into the final would be psychologically massive . Treat all 3 remaining league games as cup finals .
Aipple is on the bevvy. Things could get messy in Louisville, KY.
Madrarua
Aye indeed 👍
In my defense, I am off work today and planning a day in the garden.
I had my arm twisted towards the beer remotely by BRRB.
Aipple
Aye so ye wur. 🤣🤣
What genuine talent do we have that is being left to wither on the bench? With the 5 subs rule, BR makes good use of the bench in every game we play.
I can only wonder how negative Paul is in private about BR because he gives him little credit on here.
Guru managers, eh?
Aye, yir a bad man so ye are.
CELTIC MAC
I’ve probably gave him the kiss of Death …….
Tomorrow should be a cracker , giving players on the fringe their chance to shine against a good Hibs outfit .
I would hope Kenny gets a good run out or at least more time than just at the end of the game .
Our keeper tells the real story of Ibrox missiles:
Viljami Sinisalo has revealed he was bombarded by up to FORTY missiles at Ibrox – and was struck by one of them.
The Celtic keeper was spotted removing a bottle from the pitch in last week’s 1-1 draw with Rangers. But the Finnish keeper admitted the real picture was much worse.
Sinisalo – who is hoping to face Hibs on Saturday – said: “I see some mention that there was a bottle thrown at me. But it wasn’t just a bottle, by the way.
“First of all, I was hit with something. Not in my upper body, somewhere in my lower leg. It wasn’t a bottle, there was lighters, vapes, coins, mugs, all sorts flying.
“When you think of it, let’s say that glass bottle that was on the pitch hits me or hits someone else, what happens then? What if it hits you in the eye and you can’t play football after that? What happens then? That’s the questions that we need answers for.
“And I know it’s not the first time it’s happened. I was there when Arne was hit with something. Greg (Taylor)’s been hit. Joe Hart’s been hit. Staff members have been hit
“My bottle was right by their fans and I’ve gone to have a drink and obviously not facing them because I don’t know what’s happening, what’s getting thrown at me.
“I don’t know. It wasn’t something big because it wasn’t a big impact or anything like that. I expect probably a vape or something.”
Sinisalo admitted he’s never seen such an off-the-field onslaught – which Rangers have vowed to investigate.
He said: “I’ve never experienced it. I don’t know how people identify who it is because there’s a lot of people obviously throwing them. I’m talking 30, 40 objects here, that was on the pitch. It’s not just one individual.
“I can’t say what needs to be done and what should be done. It’s up to the authorities and the club there.
“Like I said, I’m just glad I never got hit because things could be bad if you do get hit and you’re a bit unlucky.
“You don’t think that when you’re on the pitch, but when you see the pictures of the bottle and you go back in the changing room and think, what if it did hit? I’m glad it didn’t because it could have been bad.
“Listen. it’s not nice. No-one wants it. I’m just trying to do my job. There’s not many jobs in the world where you get a bottle thrown at you.
“I’d like to think that something should be done, but that’s not for me to say what it is.”
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 9TH MAY 2025 12:02 PM
I remember your Brother’s passing. I hope the pain of losing him has become a bit more bearable over time.
Brendan presser
https://youtu.be/ubmAntqPisU?si=PFGnXhnNzTcVMTrA
Vilijami presser
https://youtu.be/bh191Iv4Fls?si=O6Qt1TX_VgQt2hiI
HH
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cd62y9w1v62o
Well said Viljami – it’s not the first time
Viljami, no mincing of words there young fella. Well done. A future Celtic great. 👍
Smiling at the update from Viljami Sinisalo.
Northern Europeans who speak English (routinely well) have,literally, a matter of fact way of expressing themselves which some sensitive souls think borders on rude.
“There’s the facts. Make of it what you will”
BTW – I’m sure I saw netting erected at Celtic Park between the fans.
Didn’t notice similar at the older stadium last weekend at which yet another Celtic fan was injured by a missile hurled from r2ngers section?
How do the BBC reconcile these two paragraphs ?
Rangers have also been asked to comment on missiles, including a glass bottle, that appeared to be thrown on to the pitch from the stand.
Shortly after the 1-1 draw, Rangers released a statement condemning the throwing of a bottle and say steps had been taken to identify the culprit.
=======
First bolding mine , second bolding bbc
CELTIC40ME
Thanks, that’s a lovely thoughtful wee post from you.
We are the lucky ones.
Hail Hail
No huns on their ain midden ever again. Way too many attacks on our players and staff. Close the pit down NOW.