Is it a case of weathering the storm over the next two games ?

[Donegal Hibby]

Sorry if this comes across as a bit negative though I been thinking on our next two games which are the hardest games we will face in our league.

I suppose over the years I’ve tended not to judged us to harshly in games against the OF unless we play poorly as I know there’s a massive gulf between us now.

That doesn’t mean I don’t expect us to give it a right good go and put in a couple of decent performances , if we do that even if the results aren’t favourable I’d probably cut the team / manager some slack.

Maybe that’s just me though.

I suppose I’m just wondering after the last result , what are your expectations and thoughts going into these two games ? .

Thanks.

[RIP]

Sorry if this comes across as a bit negative though I been thinking on our next two games which are the hardest games we will face in our league.

I suppose over the years I’ve tended not to judged us to harshly in games against the OF unless we play poorly as I know there’s a massive gulf between us now.

That doesn’t mean I don’t expect us to give it a right good go and put in a couple of decent performances , if we do that even if the results aren’t favourable I’d probably cut the team / manager some slack.

Maybe that’s just me though.

I suppose I’m just wondering after the last result , what are your expectations and thoughts going into these two games ? .

Thanks.

Veterans of Hibs Celtic finals from the Seventies were toughened up by regular drubbings from the Lesser Greens. I'd settle for a closer outcome but if both games are a doing then so be it.

I compare it to entering a boxing ring with a bigger opponent. You might get lucky with a punch or you might end up on your arse.

We are 4-8 weeks away from a settled team so the next week won't define our season. The reaction to the results will tell us whether we are a support with the bottle for a tough season ahead or whether we are going to run away with our tails between our legs.

Gerrintaethem! GGTTH

[matty_f]

I think all I really want to see are a couple of performances I can be proud of. I don't expect us to win either game, if I'm honest - though I know we can - but I think as much as the reaction to Sunday's defeat was extreme there are still a lot of us who are desperate to have something to cling on to to give optimism for the season.

Give them a fright, get in their faces and have a right good go - I don't mean all guns blazing attack, but make sure they have to work for anything they get.

I think if we see that, then most folk will go into the Dundee game relatively happy with how we're doing.

[Waxy]

Celtic are most likely going to take between 9-12 points off every team in the league.
Not that there’s anything great about them.
They simply have vast amounts more money than everyone else.

[mutley]

It's just unfortunate that we have a double header against them right at the start of the season. All I want (hope) to see is the teams put up a fight and let them know they are in a game, but sadly not expecting much more that 2 defeats.

Not season defining, but will be a bit of a morale hit for the fans and the players. BUT you never know! football is a strange game and anything can happen.

GGTTH

[Trinity Hibee]

This weekend is obviously our best chance of a result rather than the cup game. A draw would be superb but other than that just compete and not give away cheap goals.

[B.H.F.C]

Fight and give our all. If we do that we can get a result in at least one of the games. It’s not as if we lose to Celtic every single time we play.

Fold like we did last week, there will be more criticism and negativity. Perform to our maximum and can’t ask for any more.

[Pagan Hibernia]

We've only lost 3 of our last 13 league games against celtic at Easter Road- and the third of those last season we should never have lost.

We probably won't win, but it's nor a foregone conclusion that we'll lose.

[Musselbound]

A simple answer to the OP's question would be yes. But as well as losing games we expect to win, Hibs sometimes pick up unexpected results. Not saying I am confident of this happening in either of the next two games but you never know. I'd agree that something in the league game at ER is more likely.

[Skol]

We could do with a draw on Saturday but I fear it could be a big defeat. Keeping it close is the best we can hope for I reckon. Then the reasons starts for real in our next league game.

[SHODAN]

Use the league game as a trial run for the cup game.

[Centre Hawf]

Sorry if this comes across as a bit negative though I been thinking on our next two games which are the hardest games we will face in our league.

I suppose over the years I’ve tended not to judged us to harshly in games against the OF unless we play poorly as I know there’s a massive gulf between us now.

That doesn’t mean I don’t expect us to give it a right good go and put in a couple of decent performances , if we do that even if the results aren’t favourable I’d probably cut the team / manager some slack.

Maybe that’s just me though.

I suppose I’m just wondering after the last result , what are your expectations and thoughts going into these two games ? .

Thanks.

I'm with you DH. I'd be almost willing to write off these games as getting new folk up to speed and hope we can keep it close.

[Since452]

I agree with the OP. We're on a hiding to nothing with these two games. Anything at all is a bonus as Celtic are looking good and have been smashing everyone pre season too. It's almost a chance for us to regroup and go again for Dundee. Get the new guys bedded in. I feel we could do something in one of the games though. Probably the LC one.

[Bushwoof]

We've only lost 3 of our last 13 league games against celtic at Easter Road- and the third of those last season we should never have lost.

We probably won't win, but it's nor a foregone conclusion that we'll lose.
That's a surprisingly good stat. There can't be many teams who can better that.

[Dashing Bob S]

Follow football more for the emotional rather than rational aspects of the game - despite it becoming a crashing bore during my fanhood - so expecting a Hibs double win

[BILLYHIBS]

We've only lost 3 of our last 13 league games against celtic at Easter Road- and the third of those last season we should never have lost.

We probably won't win, but it's nor a foregone conclusion that we'll lose.

That’ll be the penalty to Celtic for the accidental clash of heads and the soft penalty to them in the 92nd minute?

Sublime finish by Levitt IIRC

[Smartie]

Yes.

Next question…

[Alfred E Newman]

I'm more interested in seeing how Block 7 get on in the after match fisticuffs.

[Donegal Hibby]

I'm more interested in seeing how Block 7 get on in the after match fisticuffs.

Some of them can be quite entertaining….

https://www.google.com/search?q=falkirk+fans+fighting+dance&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-ie&client=safari#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:044e6822,vid:XEFlahbrMjk,st:0

[Tambo]

Keep celtic at bay for as long as possible whilst putting up a performance, the players will know what another performance like the 2nd half will be like in the stands.

Can see Rodgers making a couple of changes for the cup game but nothing drastic so both games will be difficult.

[HibbyDave]

We will get horsed in the league match and then dump them out the cup

[brianmc]

Celtic are most likely going to take between 9-12 points off every team in the league.
Not that there’s anything great about them.
They simply have vast amounts more money than everyone else.

I'm more worried about them taking 9 - 12 goals off us in these two games 😭

[Keith_M]

I'm more worried about them taking 9 - 12 goals off us in these two games 😭


In each game?

[brianmc]

In each game?

Hmmmm, I'm an optimist so hopefully not!

[Keith_M]

Hmmmm, I'm an optimist so hopefully not!



:greengrin

[Not In The Know]

The way we played and set up against PAOK gives me some confidence we won’t get pumped.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we draw on Sunday but lose by a couple in the cup.

[Northernhibee]

I don’t think we’re losing both games.

[Ronniekirk]

Sorry if this comes across as a bit negative though I been thinking on our next two games which are the hardest games we will face in our league.

I suppose over the years I’ve tended not to judged us to harshly in games against the OF unless we play poorly as I know there’s a massive gulf between us now.

That doesn’t mean I don’t expect us to give it a right good go and put in a couple of decent performances , if we do that even if the results aren’t favourable I’d probably cut the team / manager some slack.

Maybe that’s just me though.

I suppose I’m just wondering after the last result , what are your expectations and thoughts going into these two games ? .

Thanks.
I have no expectation of winning iether game Gray needs to use these two games to start working out his best team for Dundee game at home with a view to winning thst one
So for me he does what he thinks is best to get any new players needed game time to work towards getting them match fit and working out players best positions for moving forward
Obviously we don’t want to get pumped in both games but for me given where we are the three leader games after these two games are way more important for our season going forward

[tonyrougier123]

Absolutely anything is a bonus over the next two games. Celtic are deadly, doesn’t mean we can’t get anything but anything we do get will have to be hard earned.

I’m still not convinced by the defence whatsoever,the manner of the goals conceded last weekend is still fresh and it worries me that our full backs leave us exposed too often,I’m still not entirely convinced we’ve solved the CB issues either. But let’s see how rest of the window plays out.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

I agree with the OP. We're on a hiding to nothing with these two games. Anything at all is a bonus as Celtic are looking good and have been smashing everyone pre season too.

This is where I am, it's not going to be pretty.

[Nicho87]

Good performances that’s all I’m after.

Results are a bonus, the gulf in money is as big as it has ever been in recent times.

If we can nab a draw at home great of course. Just want to see a performance where if we do go a goal down, we show more fight than last Sunday and make Celtic work for a second.

League cup is the hardest draw any team could have got.

Same again really, have a go, decent performance and maximum effort is the bare minimum.

[7Hero]

Have no expectations, anything other than a drubbing would be appreciated, how can we or any other team in the league compete with Celtic ?

[Mcbizz1998]

**** that. Let’s get after these horrible *******s tomorrow Hibernian!

[Hermit Crab]

The likely outcome is that we are going to be 2 league games in with zero points on the board and I can't see us getting anything other than a defeat at Parkhead next Sunday either.

[hibsbollah]

The likely outcome is that we are going to be 2 league games in with zero points on the board and I can't see us getting anything other than a defeat at Parkhead next Sunday either.

We havent been favoured to beat Celtic since around 1974 so theres really no need to be particularly depressed this year on that score.

[Hermit Crab]

We havent been favoured to beat Celtic since around 1974 so theres really no need to be particularly depressed this year on that score.


I'm not depressed, just don't think anyone should get their hopes up. Wins v Celtic are rare. A win a Parkhead is even rarer. I've seen us win twice there in my time going to away games.

[hibsbollah]

I'm not depressed, just don't think anyone should get their hopes up. Wins v Celtic are rare. A win a Parkhead is even rarer. I've seen us win twice there in my time going to away games.

I think it’s highly unlikely anyones getting their hopes up.

[Jones28]

I'm not depressed, just don't think anyone should get their hopes up. Wins v Celtic are rare. A win a Parkhead is even rarer. I've seen us win twice there in my time going to away games.

Have we won twice at Celtic park in the last 20 years or something?

Tony Mowbray 1-3 and Danny Galbraiths goal 1-2?

I’m not optimistic about the cup but we can give them a game, that’s what I want to see.

[Hermit Crab]

Have we won twice at Celtic park in the last 20 years or something?

Tony Mowbray 1-3 and Danny Galbraiths goal 1-2?

I’m not optimistic about the cup but we can give them a game, that’s what I want to see.


I don't mind us getting beat as long as we actually have go. Last week was the complete opposite.

Seen us lose by 5 or 6 on more than one occasion through there. With much better players than we have now.

[flash]

We won't lose both.

[lucky]

We travel in hope rather than expectation. These games won’t define our season but the players have got to show more fight than the second half last week.

[chrisski33]

Wouldnt be surprised if we stepped up and got a draw then followed it with a poor performance and a loss to Dundee!

[Trinity Hibee]

Have we won twice at Celtic park in the last 20 years or something?

Tony Mowbray 1-3 and Danny Galbraiths goal 1-2?

I’m not optimistic about the cup but we can give them a game, that’s what I want to see.

It might now be 2 wins in 30 odd years.

[Pretty Boy]

We have been far more competitive against Celtic than Rangers in recent years so there is really no excuse for not making it difficult for them and making them work for anything they get.

We have all but rolled over for Rangers in the last couple of seasons which is nowhere close to good enough. Less so with Celtic, certainly at home, and I expect the same tomorrow. No expectations of a win or even a point but being well organised, working hard and being hard to beat is the bare minimum we should ever expect from a Hibs team and tomorrow is no different.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Celtic's pace and movement was highly impressive during their pre-season games, I'll be majorly surprised (and delighted) if we manage to lay a glove on them.

[Exuberance1875]

Looking forward to us kicking off tomorrow and immediately launching the ball into the corner/out of play and giving up possession right away

[GreenCastle]

Don’t expect anything from either game.

Curious to see how Bursik plays - as he will have to make saves.

Plus how the back 4 and midfield defend - we have added players but nothing is much is different at the back except from Nicky Cadden (he hasn’t played a competitive match since start of May).

Our central midfield continues to give me the fear and lack of CDM protecting the back 4. Wouldn’t be surprised if we have another midfield thread on here after the game.

Big test for a lot of players and expecting a big performance from Captain Newell.

[.Sean.]

This thread is such a sad indictment at the state of Scottish football. I’m not having a pop at anyone with doom and gloom predictions, far from it (I myself don’t see us taking anything from either game) it’s just that it’s unreal how far ahead Celtic are from the rest of us now. In the past you’d have been buzzing all week looking forward to it as you knew you had a half chance of getting something but it’s almost a chore getting yourself up for games against Celtic and to a lesser extent Rangers now with how often you get a doing off them and I imagine that’s the same for every supporter who doesn’t follow one of the Old Firm. Are they so much better than the rest compared to 5/10/15 year ago or is everyone else just far worse or is it a bit if both?

[GreenCastle]

This thread is such a sad indictment at the state of Scottish football. I’m not having a pop at anyone with doom and gloom predictions, far from it (I myself don’t see us taking anything from either game) it’s just that it’s unreal how far ahead Celtic are from the rest of us now. In the past you’d have been buzzing all week looking forward to it as you knew you had a half chance of getting something but it’s almost a chore getting yourself up for games against Celtic and to a lesser extent Rangers now with how often you get a doing off them and I imagine that’s the same for every supporter who doesn’t follow one of the Old Firm. Are they so much better than the rest compared to 5/10/15 year ago or is everyone else just far worse or is it a bit if both?

Zero chance of anyone other than the Old Firm winning the league in the future.

Financial gap and the x3 / x4 games a season against the Old Firm makes it near impossible to win the league.

Sad but true and you just have to look at the line up and bench of Celtic to see the level of player they have.

You never know but feel it’s getting harder and harder to cause an upset due to champions league and large transfer fees they take in.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

This thread is such a sad indictment at the state of Scottish football. I’m not having a pop at anyone with doom and gloom predictions, far from it (I myself don’t see us taking anything from either game) it’s just that it’s unreal how far ahead Celtic are from the rest of us now. In the past you’d have been buzzing all week looking forward to it as you knew you had a half chance of getting something but it’s almost a chore getting yourself up for games against Celtic and to a lesser extent Rangers now with how often you get a doing off them and I imagine that’s the same for every supporter who doesn’t follow one of the Old Firm. Are they so much better than the rest compared to 5/10/15 year ago or is everyone else just far worse or is it a bit if both?

I would say everybody else including Rangers are far worse, the general standard is abysmal, Celtic's finances mean that they won't be seriously challenged any time soon.

[Since452]

Can see Celtic winning the league by a big margin

[Since452]

This thread is such a sad indictment at the state of Scottish football. I’m not having a pop at anyone with doom and gloom predictions, far from it (I myself don’t see us taking anything from either game) it’s just that it’s unreal how far ahead Celtic are from the rest of us now. In the past you’d have been buzzing all week looking forward to it as you knew you had a half chance of getting something but it’s almost a chore getting yourself up for games against Celtic and to a lesser extent Rangers now with how often you get a doing off them and I imagine that’s the same for every supporter who doesn’t follow one of the Old Firm. Are they so much better than the rest compared to 5/10/15 year ago or is everyone else just far worse or is it a bit if both?

Seems like yesterday Jim Duffy's team beat them in the first game of the season.

[Hibrandenburg]

If I was DG, I wouldn't be playing any of the new players. We need them to come in and make an impact on results to boost team moral and belief. Blooding them against Celtic could backfire.

[hibee-boys]

I’d hope we can frustrate them tomorrow and, at least, make a game of it. Next Sunday is damage limitation.

[Sioux]

If I was DG, I wouldn't be playing any of the new players. We need them to come in and make an impact on results to boost team moral and belief. Blooding them against Celtic could backfire.

They're grown men ffs :na na:

[Hibrandenburg]

They're grown men ffs :na na:

Grown men are susceptible to positive and negative psychological influences. There's more to football than kicking a ball.

[hibeez1875]

I’m still not convinced by the defence whatsoever,the manner of the goals conceded last weekend is still fresh and it worries me that our full backs leave us exposed too often,I’m still not entirely convinced we’ve solved the CB issues either. But let’s see how rest of the window plays out.

Agree with this and not convinced by the new keeper yet either. Don’t expect anything from these games results-wise, but do want to see a more determined effort from all concerned to keep the ball out of our net.
If we fall short in terms of ability that’s one thing, but the players should be bursting a gut to chase back, get a block in or make it as tough as possible for the opponents to score. No excuse for not doing that and didn’t see it against St Mirren.
Our opponents seem to score a massive percentage of the chances they make, whereas we often fritter chances away.
Having said all that, what a chance to put in a performance and give us all a huge lift.

[A Hi-Bee]

We are Hibs, we don't do storms, we do Tornadoes.
:greengrin

[Smartie]

This thread is such a sad indictment at the state of Scottish football. I’m not having a pop at anyone with doom and gloom predictions, far from it (I myself don’t see us taking anything from either game) it’s just that it’s unreal how far ahead Celtic are from the rest of us now. In the past you’d have been buzzing all week looking forward to it as you knew you had a half chance of getting something but it’s almost a chore getting yourself up for games against Celtic and to a lesser extent Rangers now with how often you get a doing off them and I imagine that’s the same for every supporter who doesn’t follow one of the Old Firm. Are they so much better than the rest compared to 5/10/15 year ago or is everyone else just far worse or is it a bit if both?

I think it’s always about us tbh.

Good Hibs teams have given much better Rangers and Celtic teams than this tough games.

You sort of need the stars to align against them - play well yourselves, get a bit of luck somewhere, for them to have an off day.

Just going with the game last week - do you really see any of the Hibs GK, defence, midfield or forward departments playing at a level sufficient to give a decent Celtic side an uncomfortable afternoon? I just don’t see it.

There have been maybe 4 Hibs sides in my time watching them that I’d expect to be giving them a game - Miller’s team with Darren Jackson and co, McLeish’s team with Sauzee and co, the golden generation and then the McGinn era team.

Other sides have picked up the odd result but I wouldn’t really be expecting it.

If the new signings bed in well then this may yet be a good side but at present it really isn’t.

[B.H.F.C]

If I was DG, I wouldn't be playing any of the new players. We need them to come in and make an impact on results to boost team moral and belief. Blooding them against Celtic could backfire.

Or it could give us a better chance of getting a positive result?

[Smartie]

Grown men are susceptible to positive and negative psychological influences. There's more to football than kicking a ball.

Footballers need to know how to handle setbacks though, not avoid them.

[DH1875]

Will probably get humped today and then go to celtic next week and win only to then get knocked out in the next round by St Mirren or Motherwell.

[theonlywayisup]

I suppose two two goal defeats was probably better than what most would have predicted, especially after losing early goals in both games.

The real test is Saturday versus Dundee. It won't be easy, but I'm hoping for a good display with a positive result. Mon the Hibs.

[Centre Hawf]

I suppose two two goal defeats was probably better than what most would have predicted, especially after losing early goals in both games.

The real test is Saturday versus Dundee. It won't be easy, but I'm hoping for a good display with a positive result. Mon the Hibs.

Playing Celtic back to back this early was probably the worst thing that could have happened to us bar perhaps an early Derby defeat in the mix. Right now the fanbase feels one loss away from a crisis (when isn't it ever?). Saturday is a great opportunity to put ourselves back on the track to a good season, but I do worry for Dave Gray's longevity in the eyes of many if he loses on Saturday as I can already feel the tide moving in that direction already which is probably unfair.

[GreenCastle]

Playing Celtic back to back this early was probably the worst thing that could have happened to us bar perhaps an early Derby defeat in the mix. Right now the fanbase feels one loss away from a crisis (when isn't it ever?). Saturday is a great opportunity to put ourselves back on the track to a good season, but I do worry for Dave Gray's longevity in the eyes of many if he loses on Saturday as I can already feel the tide moving in that direction already which is probably unfair.

Playing and losing to Hearts x2 in a row would have been worse but get the point.

I think this weekend really is important. Not a must win but everyone wants Gray to do well and getting a bit of momentum and feel good factor back would be useful before a tricky away trip to Killie.

More excited about this game than Celtic games anyway - as more of a level playing field plus all the different battles in midfield / Simon Murray returning etc.

[Since452]

Playing Celtic back to back might actually not be a bad thing this early. We obviously won't be playing a team of that quality again for a while and we know the standard we need to be at to complete with them. Hopefully we go in to the Dundee game with the mindset that they are as good as Celtic and raise our game accordingly.

[hibsbollah]

Playing Celtic back to back might actually not be a bad thing this early. We obviously won't be playing a team of that quality again for a while and we know the standard we need to be at to complete with them. Hopefully we go in to the Dundee game with the mindset that they are as good as Celtic and raise our game accordingly.

I think for all the gnashing of teeth and rage about the celtic performance, it gets forgotten that had it not been for a couple of brain fart moments that you have to believe arent going to happen every week, we could easily have finished the 90 minutes all square with them, and this is a team that took killie apart the week before, with 34 shots and 85% possession iirc. Kukyharevych and Bowie also look good and should provide a bit of optimism.