Michael Weir: Celtic look tired - Hibs can capitalise on that

Hibs manager Jack Ross can learn a lot about his players in the next few weeks

As good as it was to beat Aberdeen - and in some style - that game only marked the start of a really tough run of matches for Hibs.

Celtic away, Rangers at home and then the second Edinburgh derby of the season at Tynecastle against a Hearts side which will be hoping for a lift under new boss Daniel Stendel would be a real test for any side.

Neil Lennon’s players will be on a high following their Betfred Cup victory over Rangers, a tenth successive trophy is a fantastic achievement. But I thought Celtic looked a bit “leggy” at Hampden, a shade tired having played a lot of games.

I thought the signs were there the previous week when they scored with the last kick of the ball to beat Hamilton at home.

They also have their final Europa League group match away to Cluj in Romania to play on Thursday night and while they might elect to rest a few of their big players given they are already assured of being in the knockout stages, it’s still along way to go and travelling can, as we’ve often seen, have an impact the following weekend.

Celtic have faced that scenario often enough, of course, but it’s something Hibs have to try to capitalise on. The players will have taken confidence from their display against the Dons and now have to have a real go at Celtic.

Parkhead is always a difficult place to go but Hibs’ record there is as good as most clubs but I think the important thing is we just go there and play our own game.

As I’ve said, Jack Ross is still learning about his players and he’ll certainly learn an awful lot more over the course of the next two or three weeks but Hibs are in good form and should have the belief they can go there and get a positive result.

You can’t afford to give a team like Celtic too much respect, to stand off them and let them play but, as we saw against Aberdeen, we’ve got the sort of attack-minded players capable of hurting any opposition.

Celtic’s defence looked a bit suspect against Rangers - they were thankful Fraser Forster had a blinder in goal for them - and we should be looking to test them with the pace of Martin Boyle and the movement of Flo Kamberi.