Celtic travel to Hibernian tonight and will be keen to generate some renewed momentum in their pursuit of the Scottish Premiership title.
Brendan Rodgers knows his side need to improve on their last couple of performances against Ross County and Aberdeen, which have been uncharacteristic.
However, he has never won at Easter Road across either of his two spells in charge of the Bhoys, providing some extra intrigue to the fixture before a ball is kicked.
Greg Taylor will miss out on tonight’s fixture due to a calf strain; however, he could make his return to first-team action against St Mirren in Sunday’s Scottish Cup tie.
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate remain sidelined for the next few weeks, though Daizen Maeda is ready and available, per Rodgers’ press conference yesterday.
Tomoki Iwata wasn’t fit to make the matchday squad last time out, though the Daily Record note that he has been included this time around.
The hosts come into this one off the back of no victories in their last six league matches; nonetheless, they did take a 0-0 draw the last time the two sides met in Leith back in late October.
Nick Montgomery isn’t expecting an easy test against Celtic
Nick Montgomery has been in charge of 19 matches in the Scottish Premiership since taking over at Hibernian, winning five, drawing eight and losing six in total [Transfermarkt].
His side has been one of the more unpredictable outfits in the division this term and sit outside the top six on goal difference ahead of their clash against Celtic tonight.
The 42-year-old stated [Hibernian FC official website]: “We’re preparing for a tough game against Celtic tomorrow, one I’m looking forward to.
“Celtic are expected to win every week, and they will be expecting that tomorrow, we’re the underdog tomorrow. Regardless of previous results, they will be the favourites.
“At Easter Road last time, we took a point, and Martin had a chance to win the game. It’s a big challenge against a top-quality opposition with a lot of threats.”
Celtic cannot afford to show any complacency tonight
In what will be viewed as a must-win game by the support, Celtic cannot afford to have any sort of complacency tonight against an opponent that will be hungry to upset the apple cart.
Last time in Leith, the Bhoys struggled to create many clear-cut openings and ended up only being able to muster a draw in a flat-footed performance.
Rodgers’ men have little margin for error in the title race, and three points must be the outcome once the full-time whistle blows.
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