Hibs instant analysis as gutsy display denies champions Celtic

In a game of few opportunities, Nick Montgomery’s side matched the Premiership leaders for long spells, before digging deep to see out a late siege from Brendan Rodgers’ team. A draw means Hibs have taken points off Celtic in 10 of their last 12 league visits to Leith.

Martin Boyle had the best chance for the hosts, latching on to a stunning Jordan Obita cross, but he was unable to keep his volleyed effort down on the stretch. James Forrest struck the crossbar for Celtic, and also fired wide from close range in the dying seconds, but Montgomery’s players largely limited their opponents to very little in what was a much improved defensive performance after last weekend’s heavy defeat at Ibrox.

Patrick McPartlin and Liam Bryce were at Easter Road to provide the instant analysis.

Montgomery sticks to his guns

After last week at Ibrox, the Hibs manager was under some pressure to alter his setup, with his team turning in an error strewn performance, and being insufficiently compact out of possession. But he stated plainly through the week that 4-4-2 was how he wanted his team to play, and there was no major deviation from that here. What was tweaked, and interestingly so, was the personnel. Martin Boyle shifted from the flank into a central striking role, with Dylan Vente playing off him. In his place out wide, Montgomery turned to Jair Tavares. Rocky Bushiri replaced Paul Hanlon at centre-back, with the midfield and full-backs very much as you were from recent weeks. Overall, the performance was a strong counterpoint to the idea that playing this formation is folly against the likes of Celtic and Rangers. Montgomery was adamant that the execution, not the setup, was the problem in Govan, and he deserves credit for sticking to his guns.

Liam Bryce

Montgomery puts faith in Jair

While Hibs’ fluid front four can be a huge boost in some games, when it doesn’t quite click it can be rather ineffectual - as we saw against Rangers last week. In the aftermath of that game I wrote about Hibs being somewhat limited in how they could change it up - particularly in the wide areas if both Martin Boyle and Élie Youan start. Jair Tavares was a surprise inclusion in the XI to face Celtic, having only started one game previously under Nick Montgomery, but his presence out wide allowed Boyle to start up top alongside Dylan Vente in what was a new look strike partnership. Judging by the social media reaction there are still a few supporters to be convinced by Tavares but the Portuguese winger put in a good shift, building on his promising substitute appearance at Ibrox. There were one or two errors but overall he can be pleased with his input and it appears that whatever the coaching staff are doing, it is having an effect. Putting trust in Tavares to start a game of this magnitude will have only had a positive impact on the former Benfica youngster. 

Patrick McPartlin

Defensive improvements clear

This was much better from Hibs without the ball. The gaping holes that were there downfall against Rangers appeared much less frequently, and without even searching for any telling statistics, it was just visually very evident how much more compact Hibs were out of possession. There ad clearly been extensive work done on the training ground during the week, and it paid off. Joe Newell and Jimmy Jeggo did not find themselves overrun to any significant extent, with both wide players in Tavares and Elie Youan disciplined in tucking in where required. Special mention, too, must go to Bushiri and Will Fish, who both kept Kyogo Furuhashi very quiet, and made some crucial interventions whenever Celtic did manage to stretch Hibs. As the visitors piled on the pressure in the latter stages, Bushiri celebrated one potential goal-saving block with the same vigour as if he’d knocked one in at the other end. In a wider context, it was a performance that showed Hibs can do the gritty stuff under Montgomery. If they’d been able to marry that with a greater ruthlessness in attack, it could’ve been even better.

Liam Bryce

Midfield sets the tone

Hibs struggled to win the midfield battle at Ibrox and there might have been some trepidation at Jeggo and Newell coming up against Celtic’s midfield trio, albeit the visitors were without the influential Reo Hatate through injury. But the Hibs duo were on top for many spells throughout this game, not allowing Brendan Rodgers’ side to dictate play and as a result it seemed to have a domino effect on the rest of the team. What Montgomery has at his disposal is being able to bring on Dylan Levitt, whose guile and use of the ball makes him a more than able replacement for either player. The Welshman popped up with some vital interceptions during his time on the pitch and used the ball intelligently and while he could have every right to feel he deserves a chance to prove his worth from the start, what Hibs have is someone who can come on and not merely replace tired legs, but have a chance of impacting the outcome of the game.

Patrick McPartlin

Resilience after Ibrox

This has been a tough run for Hibs - Hearts away, followed by back-to-back games against Rangers and Celtic and after such a chastening defeat at Ibrox, hosting the champions might have seemed a daunting prospect. Much of the debate in the lead-up to the game, certainly among fans, was the perils of playing 442 against either of the Glasgow clubs. But Montgomery stuck to his guns. A point against Celtic, and a clean sheet, would be a good outcome no matter what had gone before. But Hibs worked hard during the week on the mistakes that had let them down in Govan and there was little sign of a hangover. And that feels significant. Previous Hibs teams might have been meekly turned over by both teams but one defeat in seven in all competitions under Montgomery is more than a good start, it’s the sign of things starting to click into place.

Patrick McPartlin