O'Neill Calls on Hibs Fans to Set Aside Rivalry as Celtic Seek to Close Gap on Hearts

Key facts

• Celtic trail Hearts by three points in the Scottish Premiership.
• A victory at Easter Road would draw Celtic level with Hearts before Rangers face Hearts on Monday.
• Martin O'Neill said he can understand why some Hibs fans may not want Hearts to win the league.
• Daizen Maeda has contributed to five goals in his last two games playing as a centre-forward.
• Tomas Cvancara has a groin strain that may require surgery.
• Alistair Johnston returned from injury for 20 minutes against Falkirk and is in contention for more minutes.
• Cameron Carter-Vickers returned to light training but is not ready for match action.

Title Race Intensifies as Celtic Visit Easter Road

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has acknowledged the complex emotions surrounding Sunday's trip to Hibernian, where a victory could pull his side level on points with Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts. The defending champions trail Hearts by three points, but a win at Easter Road would apply pressure before Rangers visit Tynecastle on Monday. O'Neill said he can understand why some Hibernian supporters might prefer Celtic to win the league over their Edinburgh rivals Hearts, but he does not expect any such sentiment to influence the match. "I can maybe understand that, that maybe some Hibs fans wouldn't want Hearts to win the league but that won't cross over, one to the team selection, two to the coaching staff," he said. "I think they would be more invigorated by news of that. If I could call upon some Hibs fans to refrain from that, that would help."

Celtic's Injury and Tactical Decisions Ahead of Crucial Clash

Celtic have no fresh injury concerns from the squad that beat Falkirk 3-1 last weekend, but several key players remain sidelined. Tomas Cvancara has been absent due to a groin strain that may require surgery, while Cameron Carter-Vickers only returned to light training on Friday and is still some distance from match action. Alistair Johnston, who made a 20-minute comeback against Falkirk, is in contention for a bigger role at Easter Road. However, the club is cautious after Johnston aggravated a hamstring injury when he started against Sturm Graz in October. Callum Osmand is not yet fit after ramping up his rehabilitation with a bounce game for Celtic B. O'Neill's decision to deploy Daizen Maeda as a centre-forward has paid off, with the Japan international contributing to five goals in his last two matches. But that has left a vacancy on the wing, where Sebastian Tounekti and Yang Hyun-jun started the Scottish Cup semi-final, and James Forrest replaced Tounekti against Falkirk. Tounekti set up Maeda's second goal after coming off the bench.

O'Neill Weighs Wide Options as Recruitment Gaps Persist

The manager faces a difficult choice on the flanks, with neither Tounekti nor Forrest ideal starters at present. Both have looked more impactful as substitutes, and Celtic's failure to strengthen wide areas is widely regarded as a major recruitment shortcoming over the past 18 months. O'Neill's best option appears to be starting Tounekti on the left and Yang on the right, with Maeda through the middle, while using Iheanacho and Forrest as impact subs. Against Falkirk, that combination worked, with Tounekti providing the assist for Maeda's second goal. "There's no easy answer here because Celtic's inability to strengthen the wide areas remains the biggest recruitment error, of many, from the last 18 months," one analyst noted.

Johnston's Return Managed Carefully After Previous Setback

Alistair Johnston made a greater impact than expected in his 20-minute cameo against Falkirk, showing progressive passing and a positive influence compared to starting right-back Anthony Ralston. However, Celtic are mindful of his hamstring injury history; Johnston initially returned from the start against Sturm Graz in October and worsened his condition. The ideal plan is to give Johnston around half an hour off the bench at Easter Road, with a view to starting him against Rangers a week later. "As Celtic have learned the hard way this season, hamstring injuries are fragile," a club observer said.

Wider Title Race Dynamics and Fan Sentiment

The Scottish Premiership title race has taken an unexpected turn, with Hearts leading the table and Celtic and Rangers both chasing. O'Neill acknowledged the unusual situation, saying, "I think when you arrive at Celtic, there's an expectation that it's perhaps always going to be a contest between us and Rangers, but Hearts have been playing very well all year, so it's funny to be here, it's quite exciting too." Last weekend, Celtic beat Falkirk at home, while Rangers lost to Motherwell at Ibrox, slipping to third. Hearts defeated Hibs at Easter Road, setting up the current three-point gap. O'Neill noted the importance of winning: "It's only an advantage if you win. We were able to overcome Falkirk, which was great. There is a sense as well that you've done that job for the weekend and then you just sit back."

What Comes Next: Celtic's Fate Hinges on Easter Road Result

A victory on Sunday would put Celtic level on points with Hearts, with Rangers visiting Tynecastle on Monday. If Celtic fail to win, the gap could widen, and the title race may shift significantly. O'Neill said, "It depends on how we do. If we don't win the game, our mentality changes, but in the end, of course I'll be watching, because we have to face these teams." The match at Easter Road is scheduled for Sunday, with kick-off times varying by region: 8:00 AM in Brazil, 7:00 AM in the USA, and 1:00 PM in Spain. The outcome will set the stage for a defining week in the Scottish Premiership.

The bottom line

• Celtic can go level on points with Hearts if they beat Hibernian at Easter Road.
• Martin O'Neill acknowledged Hibs fans' potential reluctance to see Hearts win the league but said it won't affect his team.
• Daizen Maeda's move to centre-forward has been productive, but it creates a dilemma on the wings.
• Alistair Johnston is being managed carefully to avoid a recurrence of his hamstring injury.
• Celtic's failure to strengthen wide areas in recent transfer windows remains a lingering issue.
• The title race is unusually open, with Hearts leading and Rangers and Celtic both within striking distance.