A Unique Challenge for Hibs and Celtic
Defending champions are set to travel to Easter Road on Sunday, aiming to close the gap with Hearts at the top of the table. This match is not just another fixture; it carries a unique weight, as some Hibs fans would prefer their team to lose this weekend, hoping to see Hearts’ title aspirations falter.
Martin O’Neill, the manager of Celtic, has firmly dismissed any notion that Hibs players might intentionally underperform in the game. He believes it’s an “impossibility” that any player would give anything less than 100% effort. The recent Edinburgh derby saw Celtic secure a victory, which reduced the odds of Hearts winning the Scottish championship for the first time since 1960.
The idea of their biggest rivals making history has sparked some unusual sentiments among Hibs supporters. However, O’Neill remains confident that his players will be fully focused on securing a win. He emphasized that the Hibs manager, David Gray, would be eager to defeat Celtic again, given their previous success against them.
O’Neill acknowledged the complex emotions surrounding the match but stressed that there is no room for complacency. “I imagine the Hibs fans wouldn’t want Hearts to win the league. I think that would be kind of natural,” he said. “But asking people to throw the game, that’s just an impossibility. I know the young manager at Hibs, he’d be wanting to beat us again. He absolutely beat us before, so he’d be thinking there’s no reason not to. Seriously, it wouldn’t enter the players’ heads.”
Even if the outcome of the match doesn’t directly benefit Celtic, O’Neill remains committed to ensuring his players give their all. “Let’s say we were out of it by the final game and Rangers are really in it, we’d still want to beat Hearts,” he added.
Despite the unusual circumstances, O’Neill is confident that his team is prepared for the challenge ahead. He believes the players are focused on delivering their best performance, regardless of the potential implications for the league standings.
On the possibility that the game might be easier than expected, O’Neill remarked, “It’s not in the players’ heads. They honestly wouldn’t even mention that and they wouldn’t know. They genuinely wouldn’t know. We have to be at it. Really, really at it. We’re not good enough to treat any game like that.”
Key Players Returning to Form
After a challenging season, O’Neill is optimistic about the team’s current form, having secured four consecutive wins. The return of key players has contributed to this positive momentum.
Arne Engels made his first full 90-minute appearance since February, while Alistair Johnston returned to the starting lineup after a six-month absence. O’Neill praised Engels’ performance, stating, “It was really great to see him on the pitch. We’ve got about 20 minutes from him and it’s good. And he’s had this week as well. So, he’s in contention, which is great. It would be just brilliant to have him back.”
He also highlighted the importance of watching players in person. “I’ve been watching some of the matches that he’s played at times and he’s not unfamiliar to me in that sense. But to watch a player when you’re actually there on the sideline, it’s a totally different issue. He’s a proper player.”
O’Neill’s confidence in his squad is evident, and he remains focused on the task ahead. With the gap to Hearts now just three points, every game becomes crucial in the race for the title. As the team prepares for the upcoming match, O’Neill is determined to ensure that his players are ready to face whatever challenges come their way.
