Tonight Must Mark The Beginning Of An Extended Winning Run If Celtic Are To Take The Title

Celtic go into tonight’s game against Hibernian knowing that three points is the only acceptable outcome if they are to keep strong hopes of winning the title alive.

The Hoops have a rare opportunity to pile pressure on the league leaders, playing a day earlier than theRangers, giving them the chance to cut the gap to three points before the Ibrox club next play. This chance must be taken, especially with a trip to Pittodrie awaiting Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s team tomorrow. Indeed, that fixture is the reigning champions’ toughest match before the Glasgow derby, on paper.

Ange Postecoglou’s side are still walking wounded, despite the winter break. David Turnbull, Kyogo Furuhashi and Jota remain injured, while it remains to be seen whether James Forrest is ready to play. The Bhoys coped with injury problems in the latter months of 2021 and managed to stay in the hunt with a fine run of form. They must now embark on an extended winning run to maintain that position going into the closing stage of the season.

Giorgos Giakoumakis is set to be available, Christopher Jullien has returned to training and three new signings, Maeda, Hatate, Ideguchi, all bolster the manager’s options. Celtic should thus be better equipped to deal with the injury concerns and will need to ensure they don’t slip up in a month of tough fixtures, which include Hibs, Hearts (away), Dundee United, theRangers, Motherwell (away), Aberdeen (away).

As ever, it’ll need to be a case of taking a game at a time. That process begins today and Hibs will be tricky customers with Shaun Maloney at the helm. The former Celtic striker turned winger, has hit the ground winning with two victories in his first two games in charge at Easter Road. He is an intelligent tactician, who cut his teeth as Roberto Martinez’s understudy with the Belgium national team.

All that matters is that Shaun is sent back to the capital disappointed, with pressure piled onto the blue half Glasgow. Over to Ange and the players to get the job done – they will be backed by an atmospheric Celtic Park. Indeed, Celtic fans are incredibly excited to be returning to the football and many boats and aeroplanes departing Irish shores are filled with those wearing green and white hoops today.

Celtic Park will be in Full Voice

It’s match day and the Bhoys are back. No Monday morning blues as Celtic fans look forward to getting back to Paradise tonight with fans boarding buses, boats and planes and heading for Glasgow.https://t.co/4pDEO3JVx3 #celticfc #CelticFC

— More than 90 Minutes Celtic Fanzine (@celticfanzine) January 17, 2022