Celtic team vs Hibs confirmed: 2 changes, broadcast details, instant reaction

By John McGinley

March 18, 2023

Manager Ange Postecoglou has named his Celtic team vs Hibs for today’s Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park.

The full match squad is as follows:

Starting XI – Hart, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor, McGregor, O’Riley, Hatate, Jota, Maeda, Kyogo.

Substitutes – Bain, Haksabanovic, Abada, Turnbull, Kobayashi, Oh, Bernabei, Summers, Ralston.

The manager has made two changes to the team that defeat Hearts 3-0 at Tynecastle in the Scottish Cup. Matt O’Riley comes in for the absent Aaron Mooy while Daizen Maeda returns from a knee knock to replace Sead Haksabanovic.

Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt and Greg Taylor have all also shaken off injury concerns to be named in the starting eleven.

There’s also a place on the bench for young Ben Summers, who has been starring for Celtic B this season and is a player who has clearly impressed Postecoglou.

Broadcast details

Today’s match is not being shown live in the UK & Ireland.

Celtic TV will be providing live coverage to overseas subscribers to the club service. This would be the only legitimate means of watching the fixture, alongside a similar service on Hibs TV.

BBC Radio Scotland will be providing live audio commentary across their platforms.

Instant verdict on Celtic team vs Hibs

This is the team we predicted and wanted Postecoglou to name today, so there are no arguments from anyone at 67 Hail Hail on this selection. It’s fantastic to see Maeda back in action, while O’Riley is a more than capable replacement for the in form Mooy.

It’s about as strong an eleven as could be fielded from those available. From the danger of Kyogo Furuhashi to the defensive consistency of the backline – we should have too much for the visitors.

Summers’ presence on the bench is welcome. He’s one of a small number of Celtic B talents who has been namechecked by Ange Postecoglou in the recent past as someone who can make significant progress over the next 12 months. He had been due to travel with the squad to Australia and Portugal in the winter break but had to miss out because of injury. It’d be great to see him earn some minutes.

In other news, Michael Beale rewrites his Celtic history as he concedes ground to ‘tsunami’ of pressure verdict.