[0762]

https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/preview-celtic-h
Hibs are taking on a Hoops' side that is battling to win every Scot Prem match and is unbeaten for quite a while, a big challenge for them on Sunday TBH and a big "step up" from the previous match v the Staggies. However, Celtic have shown some defensive "chinks" in previous matches on a defence that definitely lacks height. Therefore one hopes Shaun Maloney and his coaching staff are focusing on set piece and attacking ploys to try and exploit this weakness in Celtic's pen box. Also focus on marking Rogic as closely as poss - stop him playing effectively as he clearly makes a difference to the way they play. Hibs defence attained a "clean sheet" in their last game v Ross Co. Gotta try to emulate that achievement. C'mon Hibs!

GGTTH

[0762]

Note the pre-match activity for lots n lots of Hibs and Celtic fans is to head for the Russian Embassy to protest re Putin's disgraceful war on Ukraine. Footie kinda "pales into obscurity" when watching the likes of a psychopathic Russian tank driver running over a civilian vehicle or artillery shells banging holes out of multi-storey civilian flats and complexes. I'll be there!!

[0762]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60450249

FT 0-0 and I must say this was a strange match to watch with Hibs not registering a single shot on the Hoops' goal and one shot by Jasper in the 2nd half that would've been on target, but irritatingly blocked by Doidgy!!!!! That sums up how badly damaged Hibs front line is by offloading Boyly - a potent front dynamic totally lost by Hibs in January!! The attacking front line is now a shadow part of the Hibs team without Boyly. And Nisbet injured with what looks like a bad one too following a clumsy tackle by Starfelt. Celtic totally flat today with no "zip" or collective hi-energy attached to their game and that suited Hibs in attaining a positive result. And, like Hibs, the Hoops missing lotsa injured players. Celtic's poor display no surprise after a shell-shocked Euro match in Norway on Thursday night! Hibs fairly decent and balanced from back to mid, but confirmation again we have no "bite" up front whatsoever and that is a huge prob going forward even though today's result was positive with another "clean sheet". I'd like to see Hibs venture into the transfer market to try and pull a "free agent" of some sort to resolve the poor striking issue - can't see any other poss solution TBH. And I question why Hibs actually signed Mueller on such high earnings? He should be a "first pick" on these kinda high wages and yet he's not in that category. So why sign a player like him under these circumstances??? IMO poor judgement/decision-making on the transfer front!! Hibs AGM being convened soon. What question to ask re such issues? Any suggestions? Possibly, "Why were Hibs not better prepared to compensate for Boyly's departure"? "Why are you culpable in leaving such a mess after Boyly's departure"? Anyway, one point gained, another "clean sheet" and something to work on for Maloney and co. Also a special mention for big Matt Macey with a vg save in the second half although not called upon too often as Celtic fairly punchless today.

GGTTH

[hibeejim21]

Quite pleased with that point.

The wee man had clearly learned his lesson from previous games with that mob and we set up to frustrate and break up play. We also double marked their wide players out the game and hit them quite effectively on the break when we got the chance. No point doing the business v Ross County and setting up to play open against celtic and getting destroyed.

But aye it did not make for great viewing at times.

After cup business we should be looking to get maximum points from Dundee and St Johnstone, even though those clubs are battling to stay up.

[0762]

My main point is that the clear probs up front re striking non-performance potentially renders every match to be difficult for Hibs until season end.

[ritchiebaby]

I've said for a long time that, for me, the problem is not in defence, but attack. Even when Boyle played we did not score enough goals that were warranted by our play.

[hibeejim21]

We operated a very effective high press on celtic during sundays game. Goals will come if we get the right forwards in - Really not sure Doidge and Nisbet are going to be those players going forwards.

[0762]

IMO we don't have anyone of the striking standard required although I've no doubt Hibs will score the odd goal now n again. Ritchie called it right before in highlighting our probs span back to last season when our current strikers were not doing their jobs and missing lotsa scoring opps and eventually losing matches we should've won at a canter. I think Hibs should've seriously pushed to bring in Charles Cook from Ross Co after offloading Boyly. IMO that move in January was not beyond Hibs capability and I found that failure to be very disappointing esp as it appears that Cook was interested in a deal.

[HerefordBull]

When I watched Hibs earlier in the season it was obvious that the only player with any pace was Boyle. Once he went it all depended on who they brought in, which by the sound of it, Hibs failed to replace this pace. Defenders hate players running at them at pace and from the highlights last Sunday you can see the fear in the Celtic players to try and stop Doig as he made a powerful run through them late on. Pity the shot didn't quite match the run as it would have been some goal.

I take it Mueller, Mitchell and Jasper haven't replaced the threat of Boyle?

Was never a fan of Doidge and I doubt Maloney is either. One thing was always obvious and that was he lacked pace which since his ankle injury seems even worse! ( perhaps I'm being harsh as not seen him live for a number of weeks)  As 0762 says, that despite being very active in the transfer market in January they failed to bring in enough pace up front. I've seen Cook a little this season and he or that type of player should have been top of the list. If you are going to spend money on a player at least get one that comes in and does a job right from the off......... I don't think Melkerson has made the pitch in anger yet? I read that the plan by the board is to get some of these young players in for the future which is great but a team also has to think of the present.

From the highlights I've seen this year Livingston found the striker Nouble and Hearts got in Ellis from Everton. Both are doing a job immediately and are a handful for the opposition. From the highlights I have seen in the last month or so goals will be a real problem. Hibs look good till the final third but then attacks fizzle out or the final ball in is poor or met with no forward willing to gamble or make the right run.



On a positive Hibs comment...I see Hibs.net with Hanlon / Stevenson foundation have raised over £21000 for the Dnipro kids appeal. Well done to everyone involved and it's nice to see that the charity is still going, all from Hibs playing Dnipro in 2005........football does have a good side at times .

I believe the children are still in Dnipro despite the Russian advance but plans are being looked at in case evacuation is necessary. Good luck to them all.