Celtic must dust themselves down after this week's Champions League heartache this Saturday lunchtime for a trip to the capital to face Hibs.
The Hoops were desperately unlucky not to at least take Bayern Munich to extra time after leading 1-0 in the play-offs, second leg until deep into injury time when the hosts equalised and sent Celtic crashing out.
They rightly won plenty of plaudits for an excellent display but it was ultimately the usual Scottish hard luck story and their interest in Europe is now over for another year.
It's back to their bread and butter as they saunter to another title and they face a Hibs side who have been the best side in the league outside the Old Firm for a couple of months now.
Manager David Gray narrowly avoided the sack after a horror start to the season that looked like relegation was a real possibility to being right in the hunt for a third place finish.
They are unbeaten in all competitions since the start of December and that was away at Celtic. They have won eight and drawn four of their last dozen games.
However, this is obviously a different level.
How the bookies view it? Celtic just about backable
Celtic are available at 4/9 with Boylesports and, unusually for any Celtic game outwith Rangers, that comes into the just-about-backable category.
Hibs are 9/2 and the draw is 10/3 with the same firm.
Recent head to heads: Five in a woe for Hibs
Hibs have lost their last five games against Celtic – three times this season including a League Cup defeat and they still have to play them in the Scottish Cup too.
The hosts' last win at Easter Road against Celtic was a 4-2 triumph in May, 2023.
Players to watch: Nicolas Kuhn score again
Veteran hitman Dwight Gayle has been excellent for Hibs and always puts in a shift. The former Sunderland star is 10/3 to score anytime with Boylesports.
Nicolas Kuhn was the Celtic hero when he netted at his former club in midweek against Bayern Munich. The German is 7/4 to score anytime with Boylesports.
Predicted line-ups:
Hibs will be without the suspended Alasana Manneh who was sent off last week
It doesn't seem to matter what line-up Brendan Rodgers picks now because his Celtic team seem to get the job done regardless. Like last week against Dundee United, Celtic could make a few changes from their Bayern defeat. James Forrest and Paolo Bernardo are injured.
Hibernian: Smith, C Cadden, Bushiri, O'Hora, Iredale, N Cadden, Triantis, Kwon, Campbell, Boyle, Gayle.
Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor, Hatate, McGregor, McGowan, Maeda, Idah, Kuhn.
Anything else catch the eye?
It's not often you get Celtic at odds that are tempting but this definitely falls into that category….Hibs revival or no Hibs revival.
Hibs will have a go – as they did at Parkhead in December and they were unluckly to lose 3-0 because they passed up plenty of chances.
Anyone expecting Celtic to be tired and deflated after Bavaria could be in for a shock and they will want to put down a marker quickly, Back Celtic to win half time and full time at 5/4 with Boylesports.
There were an amaxing 21 corners in the last meeting in Glasgow and Hibs won seven of them. They are a great price of 13/8 with Boylesports to get five or more at home.
Finally, Hibs can add to the goals tally here. A Celtic win and over 2.5 goals is well worth backing at 23/20 with Boylesports.
This Scottish Premiership match between Hibernian and Celtic will be played on Feb 22, 2025 and kick off at 12:30. Check below for our tipsters best Hibernian vs Celtic prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
