There was a time when a trip to Easter Road, the home of Hibernian, was a challenging prospect, if not a daunting one.
But this season the Edinburgh club haven’t just stagnated, they’ve went backwards.
Last night they put in an immensely tame performance against Celtic in arguably their biggest match of the season. Celtic too traditionally stumble against Hibs.
Hibs are normally associated with high energy pressing and committed defending. When they get the ball, they move it nicely and usually always fashion chances.
Under Stubbs and Lennon they were an improved prospect and posed a challenging tie. But this season it’s all gone wrong.
Despite seeing a slight renaissance under new manager Paul Heckingbottom they still sit sixth in the league. They went into the Celtic tie after winning four on the bounce, but couldn’t carry that form into a game with a superior side.
Celtic interim boss Neil Lennon was also sacked by Hibs after reportedly losing it at his side, much to the delight of Rangers fans. It provided an interesting backdrop to last night’s tie. You would think it would’ve fired the Hibs side up.
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Yet they were turgid. Poor on the ball and off it, incapable of matching Celtic all over the pitch.
It just proves that next week Rangers have absolutely nothing to fear going into their game with Hibernian. In fact, quite the opposite.
It also makes the fact we twcie dropped points against Hibs in December even more frustrating.
