Celtic Title Bid: Hibernian Vows Professionalism in Crucial Clash
Hibernian boss David Gray insists his side will be professional against Celtic on Sunday, impacting the Scottish Premiership title race where Hearts lead by three points. Can Celtic overcome this crucial hurdle?
Celtic's Scottish Premiership title aspirations face a pivotal test this Sunday as they travel to Easter Road to take on Hibernian. Hibernian head coach David Gray has publicly stated his team will maintain full professionalism, despite the match's significant implications for both the league championship race and Hibernian's own European football ambitions. This crucial encounter, broadcast live on Sky Sports, will be closely watched by rivals Hearts, who currently hold a three-point lead over Celtic in the standings.
For Hibernian, the motivation extends beyond simply playing spoiler. While some fans might wish to hinder their Edinburgh rivals Hearts from securing the Scottish Premiership title for the first time since 1960, Gray's primary focus remains on securing guaranteed European football for next season. To achieve this, Hibernian must bridge a six-point gap to Motherwell, who currently occupy fourth place in the league.
Addressing the "noise" surrounding the fixture, David Gray emphasized his team's professional commitment. "It's really not awkward for me, it's very self-explanatory, we're professional, we do everything we can to win games," Gray told Sky Sports News. He acknowledged the local rivalry, stating, "I understand the noise, I grew up in the city, I know the noise that goes around it."
The outcome of this match will have direct consequences for the top of the Scottish Premiership table. Hearts are currently three points ahead of Celtic with only four games remaining in the season. A victory for Hibernian would significantly boost Hearts' title bid, making Celtic's path to reclaiming the championship considerably more challenging.
Despite the external pressures and rivalries, Gray remains confident in his team's ability to achieve their own objectives. He highlighted the unpredictable nature of post-split fixtures, noting how quickly results can change. "I still believe that we still have enough games to go that gives us a chance to try and finish fourth, so we need to make sure we do everything we can," Gray affirmed, underscoring Hibernian's determination to secure a European spot.