David Gray has handed Celtic a useful pre-match advantage with his latest injury update, confirming three Hibs players ruled out for the Celtic Park clash – and the absentee list tells us plenty about how limited his options really are.
As reported on the official Hibernian FC website, Gray has provided his pre-match squad update ahead of the trip to Celtic Park, confirming the latest on his injury-hit group. Three players have been ruled out entirely, and the broader picture at Easter Road has been one of persistent disruption throughout the season.
The names that have dominated Hibs’ injury updates in recent weeks include Raphael Sallinger, Grant Hanley and Felix Passlack – three players who would all have featured in Gray’s thinking for a match of this magnitude. Hanley’s absence is particularly significant given the aerial threat Celtic will bring; losing your most experienced central defender before a trip to Celtic Park is not the kind of preparation any manager wants.
Elsewhere, Joe Newell (groin) and Nicky Cadden (hamstring) have been carrying fitness concerns, adding further uncertainty to Hibs’ midfield and wide options. The one small crumb of comfort for Gray is that Joe Newell, Marvin Ekpiteta and Elie Youan have returned to first-team training during the week – but whether any of them are ready to be thrown straight into a high-intensity Celtic Park atmosphere is a very different question.
The Bigger Picture
Here’s the thing – this isn’t just routine opposition team news to file and forget. When you cross-reference Hibs’ absences with how Celtic have been reading opposition fitness updates all season, it becomes clear that Brendan Rodgers’ backroom staff will already have identified exactly where to apply pressure on Saturday.
A Hibs side missing defensive leadership and carrying doubts in midfield is a Hibs side that Celtic’s front line – operating at full throttle in front of their own support – should be licking their lips at. Without Hanley commanding the backline, there are gaps to exploit from set pieces and through direct running in behind.
It’s also worth remembering where Hibs are in their season – they’ve had their own ambitions to protect, and a threadbare squad is going to make it very difficult for Gray to set up with any real attacking intent at Celtic Park. Expect a defensive shape, and expect Celtic to have the solutions to break it down.
Celtic Park on a matchday, full voice, against a depleted Hibs. Mon The Hoops.
