Hibernian manager Shaun Maloney has confirmed that he’s had his players doing double and triple-sessions in the build-up to tonight’s game at Celtic Park.
The Easter Road gaffer has won 2 games out of 2 so far since being appointed in late December. Therefore, due to how recently his appointment was, the winter break has allowed him to focus on playr recruitment whilst stamping his style on the training pitch.
Celtic host the Leith side tonight, who appear to be missing a host of first-team stars. Not many know what to expect from Maloney’s side, with many eyes on Celtic and their new signings.
However, the Hoops can expect a rigorous challenge this evening if their winter-break work was anything to go by. When asked by Hibs TV about whether the players were doing triple-sessions, Maloney said: “Yes. I think there were some sessions on the pitch, numerous sessions on the pitch. Others were more gym-based.
“We were able to show a lot of the things that we done really well in the first couple of games, and some things that we needed to keep improving. Some real fundamentals to me as a manager. They worked extremely hard, every session the players were really receptive.
“Whether it was inside or whether it was the sessions on the pitch, they were very receptive to what we were asking them to do.”
Shaun Maloney ensuring Hibs players are raring for Celtic Park
It will be interesting to see the fruits of Maloney’s labour tonight then. With his team having worked so hard over the course of the winter break, it will be intriguing to see if there is any burnout. Especially with triple sessions being tossed around.
Not that it should matter if we’re being honest. Hibs should be able to come here at 100% peak condition and still lose the game comfortably. So long of course as Celtic have the right application and game strategy about them.
Both sides come into tonight’s match in really good shape. That’s probably another reason why anticipation levels for this one are through the roof, outside of the normal reasons of course.
Of course, it’s hardly going to be a cakewalk. Maloney is an experienced coach who has worked with the number 1 ranked team in the world in Belgium. He knows about the processes that need to be put in place at top footballing establishments.
It’ll likely take several months for his style to be fully implemented of course. Nobody expects his Hibs team to just come roaring out of the blocks tonight and take the game to Celtic.
But it’s clear he’s worked them hard heading into this evening’s match. Maloney will be desperate to claim a big scalp even this early into his Hibs career. It’s down to Celtic to esnure that doesn’t happen.
In other news, Celtic dressing room is “over the moon” ahead of Hibernian clash tonight
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