Celtic v Hibs – Home Debuts for Tounekti and Iheanacho, Hatate can’t be risked | OneFootball

Bring on the Hibees. We need to take our chances today, and with Sebastian Tounekti firing and Kelechi Iheanacho getting up to speed, we should be more confident than perhaps we thought we would be a few weeks ago…

Sebastian Tounekti during the Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Today sees us back on home surroundings for the first time in what seems an age, as we take on Hibs at Paradise with the sole aim of keeping top spot in the Scottish Premiership. Indeed Tounekti and Iheanacho – who yesterday spoke to The Celtic Star at Lennoxtown – have played three times for Celtic now but today both will be their debuts at Paradise.

Celtic Park. Celtic v Livingston, 23 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

David Gray’s side haven’t exactly been firing on all cylinders, and look a shadow of the side who finished third last season, but they will still prove to be a tough nut to crack and will undoubtedly cause us problems, that you can be sure of.

Those of us who watched the Leith side the previous few weeks in the European play offs will know that they have it in their locker to cause us a few problems, especially if they raise their game, which they inevitably will.

Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers Celtic v St Mirren, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 3 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace, IMAGO / Shutterstock (The Celtic Star)

From our own point of view, it’s a game Brendan Rodgers and the players should be relishing. We’re at home, we virtually have a full strength side to choose from, and Hibs are a side who definitely won’t be parking the bus as such. It all adds up to a mouth watering game of football.

That more ambitious approach from Hibs will certainly make it a more entertaining afternoon than trying to break down a parked bus. It could well work in our favour as it will mean a more open game, which in turn will provide us with several opportunities over the course of the ninety plus minutes, something we will need to take full advantage of.

Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates his goal Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 September 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

Hopefully we can be more clinical than we’ve been in recent weeks, and with the likes of debut Sebastian Tounekti and Kelechi Iheanacho up to speed, we should be more confident than before.

Reo Hatate of Celtic Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

There’s likely to be a change in the middle of the park with Reo Hatate a doubt for today with a tight hamstring. It would be crazy to risk him today and then potentially lose him for a few months so it’s going to be interesting to see who steps in to the team with Arne Engels, Paul Bernardo and Luke McCowan all in contention.

In case you are unaware, there’s a one minute silent protest today on the 12th minute which will quieten the Celtic support for just 60 seconds with those not taking part able o make their own noise for the Bhoys and it will also give the Hibs fans a chance to be heard.

Enjoy the game and hopefully we’ll get a great performance and a Celtic victory that will open up a 12 points gap on theRangers ahead of their entertaining (for us) trip to Livingston tomorrow. Popcorn at the ready for that one.

Meanwhile Celtic’s main rivals at the moment are Hearts and they are at home to Falkirk. You would expect Derek McInnes’ side to get the three points in that one so it’s vital that Celtic do likewise at Paradise today.

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