David Gray will have to make at least one change to his Hibs starting XI for tomorrow’s visit of reigning champions Celtic, as Scotland World Cup hero Grant Hanley serves a suspension after his red card in Tuesday night’s painful loss to Motherwell at Fir Park. But does the Easter Road gaffer make more changes as he looks for a response to some “blunt” words in the aftermath of that defeat?
Failure to get a result in Lanarkshire means Hibs go into this game needing a win just to close the gap on second-placed Celtic. With an almost full Scottish Premiership card next midweek week - Hibs and Livingston brought their fixture forward to earlier this month - and the prospect of at least some direct rivals gaining ground, Gray could do with a victory.
Celtic, fresh from their 3-1 Europa League win over Feyenoord in Rotterdam on Thursday night, head into this one eager to give interim saviour Martin O’Neill a rousing curtain call before the stand-in steps back to make way for new gaffer Wilfried Nancy, who might even be at Easter Road to see his new players in action. Here’s how we think Hibs will line up:
1. GK Raphael Sallinger
Absolute stick-on at No. 1 these days. Ability to launch counter-attacks may prove decisive. | SNS Group
2. RCB Warren O'Hora
Will step into starting XI on the right side of back three as Hibs cover for the suspension of Grant Hanley. | SNS Group
3. CB Rocky Bushiri
Moves from right to middle of back three to cover for suspended Hanley. Will be the line leader and organiser. | SNS Group
4. LCB Jack Iredale
Subject to a tactical substitution as Hibs went down to 10 men against Motherwell on Tuesday night. Likely to return - although faces competition from Jordan Obita, who is an extremely dogged and experienced defender. | SNS Group