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Hibs v Celtic predicted XI - former Rangers ace pushing for start, Abdulai redemption shot and Boyle role

No fresh injuries but plenty for Marink Reedijk to chew over as Easter Road side chase first home league win since April

The fact that Marink Reedijk has no new injury news to report shouldn’t be taken as a sign that the new Hibs boss is completely without conundrums to consider ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with league leaders Celtic. Seeking his first victory as manager, the young Dutch coach certainly has issues in different parts of the park, as you’d expect of a team sitting bottom of the Scottish Premiership table.

Having seen both Azeem Abdulai and Thibault Klidje commit howling errors - the former technical, the latter mental - leading to goals in last weekend’s home loss to Falkirk, a result that saw Hibs plummet into last place, the temptation must be to drop both offenders as a warning to others. But sometimes coaching isn’t about doing the thing that makes you, your staff - or even the fans - feel good.

With Jamie McGrath only half an hour into his return from injury, is it possible that the Irishman could start in place of midfielder Abdulai? Possible, yes. Advisable is another matter, as the strength and conditioning staff would testify.

Klidje, a centre forward being played on the left wing, may be more vulnerable to deselection. If only because Rabbit Matondo, a player who once scored an absolute screamer to secure Rangers a draw against Celtic in a dramatic Old Firm encounter back in April of 2024. Here’s how we think Hibs will line up:

If ever there was a keeper in need of a clean sheet, it's Rafa. Keeping a blank against the league leaders would be a huge bonus for the Austrian goalie.
1. GK Raphael Sallinger If ever there was a keeper in need of a clean sheet, it's Rafa. Keeping a blank against the league leaders would be a huge bonus for the Austrian goalie. | SNS Group Photo Sales
Newly-appointed on-field captain will have to lead by example. Will be interesting to see if he's allowed/prepared to play quite as high as he has been doing from a starting position at right back.
2. RB Felix Passlack Newly-appointed on-field captain will have to lead by example. Will be interesting to see if he's allowed/prepared to play quite as high as he has been doing from a starting position at right back. | SNS Photo Sales
Might be more at home playing under pressure than trying to build from the back.
3. CB Jason Kerr Might be more at home playing under pressure than trying to build from the back. | SNS Group Photo Sales
Serbian centre-half looks stuck on for selection after starting in Reedijk's first two games.
4. CB Marko Ivezic Serbian centre-half looks stuck on for selection after starting in Reedijk's first two games. | SNS Group Photo Sales

The fact that Marink Reedijk has no new injury news to report shouldn’t be taken as a sign that the new Hibs boss is completely without conundrums to consider ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with league leaders Celtic. Seeking his first victory as manager, the young Dutch coach certainly has issues in different parts of the park, as you’d expect of a team sitting bottom of the Scottish Premiership table.

Having seen both Azeem Abdulai and Thibault Klidje commit howling errors - the former technical, the latter mental - leading to goals in last weekend’s home loss to Falkirk, a result that saw Hibs plummet into last place, the temptation must be to drop both offenders as a warning to others. But sometimes coaching isn’t about doing the thing that makes you, your staff - or even the fans - feel good.

With Jamie McGrath only half an hour into his return from injury, is it possible that the Irishman could start in place of midfielder Abdulai? Possible, yes. Advisable is another matter, as the strength and conditioning staff would testify.

Klidje, a centre forward being played on the left wing, may be more vulnerable to deselection. If only because Rabbit Matondo, a player who once scored an absolute screamer to secure Rangers a draw against Celtic in a dramatic Old Firm encounter back in April of 2024. Here’s how we think Hibs will line up:

The fact that Marink Reedijk has no new injury news to report shouldn’t be taken as a sign that the new Hibs boss is completely without conundrums to consider ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with league leaders Celtic. Seeking his first victory as manager, the young Dutch coach certainly has issues in different parts of the park, as you’d expect of a team sitting bottom of the Scottish Premiership table.

Having seen both Azeem Abdulai and Thibault Klidje commit howling errors - the former technical, the latter mental - leading to goals in last weekend’s home loss to Falkirk, a result that saw Hibs plummet into last place, the temptation must be to drop both offenders as a warning to others. But sometimes coaching isn’t about doing the thing that makes you, your staff - or even the fans - feel good.

With Jamie McGrath only half an hour into his return from injury, is it possible that the Irishman could start in place of midfielder Abdulai? Possible, yes. Advisable is another matter, as the strength and conditioning staff would testify.

Klidje, a centre forward being played on the left wing, may be more vulnerable to deselection. If only because Rabbit Matondo, a player who once scored an absolute screamer to secure Rangers a draw against Celtic in a dramatic Old Firm encounter back in April of 2024. Here’s how we think Hibs will line up:

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