Celtic travel to Edinburgh this evening to face Hibernian at Easter Road. The Scottish Champions have had three wins in a row since the return to Premiership action after the World Cup break but Hibs proved in their win over Livingston that they will offer a stubborn test. Lee Johnston’s Hibees matched Celtic’s 4-1 triumph over St Johnstone at the weekend with a strong showing at Easter Road.

Speaking to the official Celtic website ahead of tonight’s game Ange Postecoglou said: “It will be a tough challenge, especially at their ground. I remember last year, we drew a game there and it was a tough game for us, so it’s a great stadium, they’ll get a good crowd and it feels like a big game, so it’ll be a good challenge for us.

“They’ve got some real attacking threats, particularly with Kevin Nisbet coming back now as well, so it’ll be a good challenge for us. But we’re in a good run of form, we’re really focused on ourselves at the moment and being the best team we can be, and that’s what we’re going to have to deliver on Wednesday.”

Team News

Ange takes his side into this game with just a few injury concerns and absentees. Right-backs Tony Ralston and Josip Juranovic are doubts with knocks, meaning that Reo Hatate could very well continue in his new role. The versatile Japanese player will likely appear alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt and Greg Taylor in a back four.

In midfield, Callum McGregor will start at the base of the Celtic three. Matt O’Riley and Aaron Mooy would be expected to continue after a strong showing at the weekend. David Turnbull is suspended having picked up a red card for serious foul play against Callum Davidson’s side on Saturday. Oliver Ablidgaard appears to be headed for the Celtic exit with reports in Russia suggesting that the deal will be cut short early.

Ange will need to consider his wide options carefully with Liel Abada, Jota and Sead Haksabanovic all pushing Daizen Maeda and James Forrest for a place in the starting XI. Giorgos Giakoumakis will hope that he can get a start but will likely settle for a place on the bench behind Kyogo.

Stephen Welsh and James McCarthy will not be involved, both still recovering from injuries.

Predicted Team

Having got a full house on both the team and the players on the bench for the game against Livingston, it’s fair to say we were less successful in assessing Ange’s pre-match comments to help determine the starting eleven and subs for the game against St Johnstone on Saturday. Tonight we’ll opt for this team as our predicted starting line-up for the game against Hibs and we’ll report on team news when the club post details around 75 minutes before kick-off.

Joe Hart; Reo Hatate, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt, Greg Taylor, Callum McGregor, Aaron Mooy, Matt O’Riley, James Forrest, Kyogo and Daizen Maeda. 

Subs: Ben Siegrist, Moritz Jenz, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Alexandro Bernabei, Jota, Sead Hakšabanović, Liel Abada, Bosun Lawal

Match Officials 

The Scottish FA have confirmed that Alan Muir will be tonight’s referee at Easter Road and that he will be assisted by Callum Spence and Drew Kirkland. The Fourth Official will be Colin Steven. And you will be absolutely delighted to discover that the ludge-VAR operator this evening is none other that Andrew Dallas. What possibly could go wrong? Dallas-the-Younger will be assisted by Graham Chambers.

Kick Off Time

The game will kick off at 8pm (Celtic Park time), fifteen minutes after the rest of the Scottish Premiership matches.

Where to Watch

The game will be shown on Sky Sports Football with coverage beginning at 19:30. The game will also be available on Celtic TV for supporters watching outside Britain and Ireland.

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