Celtic’s stats against Hibernian are still some of the most interesting in the league, regardless of the last two results.
Yes, the Hoops have managed 1-0 and 2-0 successes in their last two matches against the Hibees. It’s no surprise either that both of those successes have come when Lennon had departed Easter Road.
That’s not to say Hibs have gotten weaker, however. Paul Heckingbottom has them playing some wonderful stuff that’s easy on the eye. They look extremely similar to the side under Lennon at their peak. It’s evident many of them have a spring in their step with the new manager bounce.
And Celtic have to be wary once more when they go to Easter Road. Our 2-0 Scottish Cup quarter-final win there has hopefully ended the hoodoo, but the stats remain an interesting read.
In two of our four meetings against Hibs this season, they’ve bagged two goals against us. That’s just part of a bigger run of six games out of our last nine against Hibs where they managed more than one goal.
What that shows, regardless of Lennon leaving, is that they have players that can hurt us. In four of our last nine against the Hibees, we’ve failed to come out on top. Not many sides can boast halting Celtic so many times over that number of meetings.
A dodgy ground at the best of times
Easter Road has proven a barren ground for us too in recent times. In Premiership action, we’ve failed to win all three meetings in Leith since their promotion. Fortunately, our last result in the Scottish Cup was a dominant performance, as Lennon pulled Hibs’ pants down by exploiting their weaknesses upon his return to Edinburgh.
But, despite the positives Hibs can have going into the game, let’s not forget we have our own. Lennon is unbeaten in eight matches heading into this one, drawing just two of them. Hibs have failed to score against us since Lennon left Easter Road, even if Heckingbottom has them back on form.
Hibs’ only defeat under their new manager came in that 2-0 success for Celtic in Edinburgh. And out of the last nine meetings with Hibs since their promotion, Celtic have scored in eight of them. Only three of the nine have seen us score one goal or less.
Odsonne Edouard has proven he doesn’t mind playing the Hibees in the past either. He has three goals against them, and is the only current Hoops striker to have netted at Easter Road for the Celts.
Sunday has its dangers, but it also has its positive omens too. Heckingbottom has Hibs playing an attractive, aggressive brand of football, and they’ll see Sunday as a shot at redemption for the Scottish Cup result. But, truth be told, if Celtic turn up as they did against Aberdeen last week, it’s hopefully only going one way.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
