SIMON DONNELLY reckons Celtic will have to perform like they did at McDiarmid Park two weeks ago if they are to see off Hibs at Celtic Park tomorrow. The former Celtic star has been impressed by Neil Lennon’s teams that have faced his old club and despite losing both McGinn and McGeough over the summer, he has brought in more than capable replacements.
“The last twice Hibs have been there they have managed a draw and a narrow defeat.
“I remember the 2-2 game in particular when two young Scots, John McGinn and Callum McGregor, scored the goals,” Donnelly told the media.
“Out of most of the teams, Hibs seems to perform best at Celtic Park, although I know Aberdeen won there at the end of last season.
“Neil Lennon has done it a few times where he loses players and he finds new ones.
“Stevie Mallan has come in and done well and Neil seems to be getting the best out of Martin Boyle too.
“Hibs have been the best team to watch so far this season in terms of playing free-flowing football, even if Celtic had a great result at McDiarmid Park.
“Celtic have shown some signs recently that they are getting back to where they were – especially against St Johnstone where they blew them away and James Forrest was on top form.
“That will give them confidence but the international break halts that a bit, so it will be interesting to see which Celtic turns up at the weekend because they will be in a game against Hibs.
“They will have to be at a decent level to win that game.
“I think it will be a much more open league this season even if I still expect Celtic to win it.
“For a neutral it’s good to have four or five teams in about it and it’s good when you have a day like Saturday when challenging teams are playing against each other.”
Donnelly was also asked about the debate that has raged in recent weeks regarding Leigh Griffiths and Alex McLeish which resulted in the Celtic striker withdrawing from the recent Scotland squad to work on his fitness.
“I don’t think anyone should turn their back on their nation – although I don’t think that’s what he did. I don’t think he was fully fit.
“A fully fit Leigh Griffiths is an asset for Celtic and an asset for Scotland.
“Whether there are personal problems there I don’t know. I don’t know the ins and outs of Scotland.
But, for me, in football terms if you can get the ball to a fully fit Leigh Griffiths in the final third he has shown time and time and again that nine times out of 10 he will out the ball in the back of the net.
“We don’t have anyone better,” Donnelly stated. Few could disagree with him on that point.
