This is a big one, we’re getting a bit of momentum going and I’d like to see a marker laid down here with a clinical performance.
Missed the match at the weekend but apparently Jackie led the line well and Johnston did well in his cameo so Ange finally has options here.
Wonder if Bolingoli might start ahead of Ralston?
Big night tonight. No league win at Easter Road since 2014.
Same squad from the weekend available. Hibs tv selling the game on ppv
I’m cautiously optimistic about our longer term prospects now. Defeat in the derby before coming back from the September international break and meekly losing at Livingston concerned me. There were a couple of other dodgy displays around that time too, but we seem to have turned a corner. Helped no doubt by a few players returning from injury and Ange having more options on the bench.
The weekend could be viewed in two ways. A controlled, professional display or sterile domination with a mistake for the first goal being key to the win (when we hadn’t looked too threatening prior to the breakthrough). St Johnstone basically set up with everyone deep and behind the ball, except their lone striker, so we might have more space to exploit away from home. Hibs will surely have some attacking ambitions themselves.
Ralston had the cross for the opening goal and a goal saving tackle on the cover in the previous game against Ferencvaros, but I think his performance level has generally dipped lately. Do the analytics community call it outplaying his ability initially and now regressing to the mean? That said, poor Bolingoli gets drafted in from nowhere for a game here or there, and then doesn’t make the squad for the next one. He’s done grand in the two games he’s played though.
Giakoumakis was decent enough without being great on Saturday. Again, there was no space at all up there and we found it hard to thread to ball up to him but he worked hard and finished his chance well. I think Kyogo’s movement suits the team better, but he might be needed on the wing until Johnston and Forrest are fully up to speed. Johnston had another good cameo alright - he hit the post with a shot and had some dangerous runs and put in a few good balls.
I probably don’t envisage (m)any changes tonight. Either an unchanged team or Kyogo going back upfront and Abada or Johnston coming in for Giakoumakis.
At home you’d expect Hibs to have a go at us, which will be ideal for Kyogo to exploit. Jota starting is a no brainer, it could be a toss up between Abada who has slightly slacked off in recent weeks and Johnston (not sure he has an hour in him though). GG will be ready to come off the bench if needed, no need to go changing anything too much, he’ll get plenty of chances throughout the season
I think we are short on the right.
Jota, Johnston and Kyogo all probably better off the left than right. Kyogo obviously best through the middle. If Maeda arrives he’s another one better through the middle or off the left than the right.
Could do with Forrest back really but I’d be worried about whether he can offer us much.
I think that’s a little harsh, he’s still playing very well. His defensive work is solid, he gets forward well. If his past 6 or 7 games are his mean then he’s still deserving of his place.
Ah yeah, he’s still playing well but not at the outrageous level he was at in the first part of the season. He’s shanking the odd cross over the bar, misplacing a pass here & there. Nothing drastic, still defending solidly, but full back is a demanding enough role under Ange and I wouldn’t be averse to him being rotated out at some stage to see what Juranovic can do in his natural role. Ralston would still be on course to play a significant number of games, even if he was rested from time to time. Maybe tonight isn’t the game to do it alright, as it’s away to a strong side.
I don’t think a rest would do him any harm. He was exhausted against Leverkusen. He was never the most accurate passer but his work rate more than compensated early in the season. Still had a great covering block last week and is getting forward but to expect him from barely playing for a few seasons to busting his gut for 90 minutes twice a week is probably a bit much.
Mikey on the left, Jota on the right?
Yeah that’s what it was at the weekend until Jota went off.
How did Jota do on the right? Seemed to play a lot of his football on the right before he joined Celtic but I reckon he’s probably better off the left.
Mikey was lively, can’t recall whether Jota did much off the right. The game was over and we played 3 different strikers in the time he played on the right I think so I didn’t really notice him one way or the other.
Yeah, was thinking the same. Couldn’t really recall anything of note from Jota late on.
Hibs are having a press here alright but Celtic have started well.
That’s a typically ridiculous decision against Mikey.
That was a penalty. Hibs TV (Tam McManus?) talking about strong defending and ref being correct to penalise Johnston in the end.
This is an incredible spell of possession. They’ve barely touched it.
That has to be a yellow. Has to be. Ah here. Cynical as it comes.
