David Gray in ‘history is there to be changed’ defiance despite Hibs’ dismal position in the league as they head to Celtic Park this afternoon…
Relegation worries
The Hibees have had an up-turn in performances in recent Scottish Premiership encounters, but they still remain ominously close to an automatic relegation position.
Hibs are currently 11th in the table, a point ahead of their Edinburgh rivals Hearts who languish at the bottom of the table on an abysmal 12 points.
Prior to a credible 3-3 draw with Jimmy Thelin’s Aberdeen at Easter Road 10 days ago, and a much-needed 3-0 victory over Motherwell at Fir Park last Saturday, Hibs had gone 10 league games without a win.
However, Hibs legend and current head coach David Gray held onto his job during a tumultuous period and seems to have new found optimism heading into a congested fixture list between now and New Year.
Callum McGregor’s unstoppable strike
It will need to take a remarkable performance in order for Gray’s men to pull off an almighty shock at Celtic Park today. Hibs haven’t won in Glasgow’s East End since January 2010. Indeed, the last time the Edinburgh club took any points from Celtic in Glasgow was January 2021 during the forgettable COVID season.
The two sides have already met twice this campaign. The Scottish champions defeated their opposition this afternoon 2-0 in the capital courtesy of Nicolas Kuhn and Callum McGregor’s unstoppable strike.
Both teams went up against each other in the Scottish League Cup Last 16 a week later where Celtic once again ran out convincing winners progressing to the quarter-finals with a 3-1 scoreline.
Celtic’s 40 points from a possible 42
Accumulating 40 points from a possible 42, Celtic’s form in the league has been unrivalled, and it could be a sore defeat for the visitors should Brendan Rodgers’ men reach the levels they have done so often during this campaign.
“If we don’t have that attitude, then we’ve got no chance”
Fortunately for David Gray and his players, Rodgers may have one eye on Tuesday evening’s mammoth Champions League encounter with Dinamo Zagreb at the Maksimir Stadium in Croatia’s capital and thus rest some key players.
Speaking ahead of today’s Scottish Premiership encounter, Hibs manager David Gray told the media yesterday, “history is there to be changed. We have to go there with the belief and mindset that we can get a result. If we don’t have that attitude, then we’ve got no chance.”
“It’s a real tough test”
“It’s a real tough test. We’ve faced them twice already this season, so the players know what to expect. It doesn’t get any easier, the challenge is there, but our confidence levels are higher going into the game. Every player will have to play at their absolute maximum. History is there to be changed. We have to go there with the belief and mindset that we can get a result. If we don’t have that attitude, then we’ve got no chance.”
Very quickly in both games we found ourselves 2-0 down
Looking back at the past two encounters versus Celtic, Gray explained, “the start is very important. When you reflect on the last two games against them, we started the first couple of minutes on the front foot, but if you make one mistake against that level of opposition, they will punish you.
“Very quickly in both games we found ourselves 2-0 down too early in the games. Credit to the players after that to stay in the game, especially at Parkhead to get it back to 2-1, then we know what happened in the second half.”
“We know what’s going to be required. At times Celtic will have a lot of the ball and will be difficult to play against, but you need to be organised, structured, and carry a threat.”
Conor Spence
