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:
9. CAM Jamie McGrath
Impossible to ignore, even when in ninja mode. Irishman starts. And will be expected to influence the game. | SNS Group
10. CF Martin Boyle
Will be eager to atone for poor miss against Motherwell. Faces competition from Thibault Klidje for a start. | SNS Group
11. CF Kieron Bowie
Scotland hopeful was given a breather after an hour at Fir Park. Being kept in reserve for this challenge? | SNS Group