NEIL LENNON survived his first test at Hearts and faces another back in the capital on Saturday night.
Lenny got off to the perfect start 24 hours after replacing Brendan Rodgers with a last-gasp winner at Tynecastle keeping his men eight points clear of Rangers.
Dropped points would have been a massive blow and given Steven Gerrard renewed hope in the title race.
And it would have piled pressure on Lennon who has been tasked with keeping the club's treble treble dream alive.
Defeat at Hibs will kill it but I expect Celtic to edge out a side that's won three in a row since Paul Heckingbottom replaced Lennon.
The Hoops caretaker will be keen to show the Easter Road board what they're missing and knows the players better than anyone – although some will be fired up such as striker Florian Kamberi who reportedly played a part in the manager's exit.
Celtic and Rodgers lost to Lenny's Hibs in December and haven't won in three at Easter Road so maybe a best 4-7 at McBookie is a little short especially with players such as Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie, Filip Benkovic and Jozo Simunovic injured.
Four out of five meetings have gone over 2.5 goals and that could be the shout while both to score pays 4-5 at 10Bet. This could be another tight one, maybe 2-1 to Celtic, so try btts & over 2.5 at 23-10 with William Hill.
Kamberi is 12-5 at McBookie to score but on-loan Marc McNulty, signed by Lenny in January, could be the better option at 2-1 having hit the ground running with six goals in four games.
Elsewhere Rangers head to Aberdeen on Sunday full of confidence after running into form.
Steven Gerrard's side have netted 14 without reply in their last three and were convincing 4-2 winners at Pittodrie three weeks.
That result was overshadowed by Alfredo Morelos's sending-off – his third red against the Dons in three meetings this season with one rescinded.
The Colombian has netted five in two starts since and surely he's got a better of chance of scoring in the Granite City than taking an early bath.
Morelos is evens at McBookie to net, 7-2 to score first, 9-10 to be booked and 5-1 to be booked first.
Even if Alfie behaves there's every chance of a red in the match with the quarter-final meaning so much to both clubs and that pays 7-2 with bet365.
The Dons' home form has been poor and a 2-2 draw with St Mirren was followed by the midweek shocker as Hamilton and their 36 away fans celebrated three points.
Gers are a best evens to win in 90 minutes with Aberdeen 14-5 and the draw 12-5.
The third tie of the weekend sees a rerun of the midweek Championship game that saw Dundee United edge out Inverness 1-0.
Fatigue could play a part with ICT especially having a packed schedule and United and their big squad should win again at 11-10 with McBookie.
There's just one match in the Championship and you have to fancy Dunfermline at home to QoS. The Pars have found form with three wins to nil against Partick Thistle, Ayr and Inverness.
An fourth in a row pays 19-20 at Betway while to win without conceding is 23-10 at Ladbrokes.
In League One I'm sticking with Forfar who have won seven out of eight at home. The Loons entertain an East Fife side winless in five and are 17-10 with William Hill.
Champions-elect Arbroath should be tested by a Dumbarton side that's netted 11 in four games and were denied victory against Raith in midweek by a last-gasp equaliser. Both meetings this season have brought up btts and a third pays 4-7 at McBookie.
In League Two the big game between Clyde and Edinburgh City has the feel of a draw at 85-40 at BetVictor while leaders Peterhead should see off Highland rivals Elgin.
They've beaten City 3-0 twice this season and netted 13 against them at Balmoor without reply. Take Peterhead at 1-2 with William Hill.
Recommended Bets
- Morelos to score
- Morelos to be booked
- Rangers
- Aberdeen v Rangers red card
- Hibs v Celtic btts & over 2.5 goals
- Dundee Utd
- Dunfermline
- Forfar
- Dumbarton v Arbroath btts
- Peterhead
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
