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Hibs logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 37
May 24, 2023 at 7.45pm UK
Easter Road Stadium
Celtic logo

Hibernian
4 - 2
Celtic

Youan (52', 80'), Nisbet (75' pen.), Bernabei (86' og.)
Nisbet (45+3'), Doyle-Hayes (70')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Hatate (41' pen.), Oh (58')
Maeda (44'), Ralston (74')
Maeda (67')

Preview: Hibernian vs. Celtic - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Scottish Premiership clash between Hibernian and Celtic, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

In their final away game of the Scottish Premiership season, champions Celtic continue their victory tour at Easter Road, where Hibernian will await on Wednesday.

The penultimate round of a gruelling campaign sees the Glasgow giants clash with a Hibs side needing points to stand any chance of stealing a top-four finish.


Match preview

Celtic's Alistair Johnston and teammates celebrate after the match on April 8, 2023© Reuters

A week after suffering their first league defeat for nearly eight months, Celtic could not make a return to winning ways when they welcomed St Mirren to Parkhead on Saturday.

In fact, the Hoops had to rely on an 81st-minute equaliser from captain Callum McGregor to salvage a 2-2 draw, and they have now won only once in their last four Premiership fixtures.

Such form may be understandable given they have already clinched the title with weeks to spare, but ahead of the Scottish Cup final against Inverness Caledonian Thistle - when the treble will be up for grabs - it is a cause for concern.

Before arriving at Hampden Park next month, Ange Postecoglou's side will aim to at least maintain their eight-point margin over second-placed Rangers and - having already bettered last season's tally of 93 - can still try to reach the 100-point mark for just a third time in their history.

In addition, scoring five more times across their final two games would see them surpass the legendary Lisbon Lions of 1966-67, who racked up 111 league goals on their way into the record books.

Next week, Celtic host Aberdeen to round off a successful defence of their Premiership crown, but first they will try to post four wins over Hibernian in a season for the first time in 26 years.

Hibernian's Elias Melkersen in action with Hearts' Toby Sibbick on April 16, 2022© Reuters

All told, Hibs are winless in some 17 meetings with Celtic across all competitions; losing on 11 occasions during that time.

Since a 2-0 league win in December 2018 - under ex-Hoops boss Neil Lennon - the Edinburgh club have relentlessly tried and failed to halt such a streak, but to no avail.

After seeing a four-match unbeaten run ended by Celtic's city rivals last time out, Lee Johnson's men have four points to make up on old foes Hearts with just two rounds remaining, and hopes of sneaking into the top four are fast receding.

Paul Hanlon netted Hibernian's late consolation in a 3-1 defeat to Rangers, and after hosting Glasgow's other powerhouse in midweek, a crucial derby then awaits on the season's final day.

Scotland's European places would ultimately stretch down to fifth place in the table if Celtic beat Inverness in the cup final, but Hibs would prefer to win their last two games and enter through the front door.

However, adding to their dismal record against Wednesday's visitors, a strange precedent suggests that could be a very tall order: Hibs are winless in 11 midweek league matches since beating Aberdeen back in December 2021.

Hibernian Scottish Premiership form:

Celtic Scottish Premiership form:


Celtic form (all competitions):



Team News

Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates scoring their first goal on May 7, 2023© Reuters

Having bagged his 25th league goal of the season on Saturday, it remains to be seen whether Celtic's top scorer Kyogo Furuhashi will now start at Easter Road, with Oh Hyeon-gyu on standby should Ange Postecoglou opt to rest his star striker again.

Daizen Maeda is likely to keep his place in the visitors' front three, having previously scored in three of his five Premiership appearances against Hibernian - including one at Easter Road in December.

Once again, the champions are set to be without the quartet of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston, Stephen Welsh and James McCarthy due to injury.

Meanwhile, Mykola Kuharevych missed Hibs' game against Rangers, joining longer-term absentees Martin Boyle, Aiden McGeady and Kyle Magennis on the sidelines.

Jake Doyle-Hayes is back in action following a concussion, though, and the Irish midfielder could be promoted to the hosts' starting lineup on Wednesday.


Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Marshall; Egan-Riley, Fish, Hanlon, Stevenson; Jeggo; Cadden, Doyle-Hayes, Newell, Youan; Nisbet

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Hart; Ralston, Starfelt, Iwata, Taylor; O'Riley, McGregor, Hatate; Jota, Furuhashi, Maeda


SM words green background

We say: Hibernian 1-2 Celtic

Celtic's dominance over Hibernian should extend to a fourth win of the season, as the champions resume normal service after a rare lull. Hibs' last chance of making the top four will therefore evaporate; leaving them watching the result of sixth-placed St Mirren nervously.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Away Win:data


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Written by
Jonathan O'Shea

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Game History

How you voted: Hibernian vs Celtic

Hibernian
23.3%
Draw
20.0%
Celtic
56.7%
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Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou applauds fans after the match on April 8, 2023
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1614204444044
2RangersRangers1611232891935
3Aberdeen17104331211034
4Motherwell178272327-426
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd176742519625
6St Mirren187382429-524
7Dundee175482730-319
8Hibernian184682430-618
9Kilmarnock184681935-1618
10Hearts1844102027-716
11Ross County183691435-2115
12St Johnstone1842122134-1314


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