Alan Stubbs has previewed this Sunday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final, where Celtic will host Hibernian at Celtic Park in what promises to be an exciting encounter. Hibs are in impressive form, having remained unbeaten in their last 15 matches across all competitions.
Hibs’ Unstoppable Run
Under manager David Gray, Hibs have continued to impress, and their 2-1win over Hearts last weekend extended their unbeaten run to 15 matches.
The Hibees have now gone 13 games unbeaten in the league, a feat they last achieved in 1988. Their recent form has left many of their supporters optimistic about their chances on Sunday.
However, Celtic have something to prove, having controversially lost 2-1 to Hibs two weeks ago. The Hoops will want to silence any critics after a game in which they should have been awarded a late equaliser, if not for an incorrect decision from VAR.
Celtic’s Bid for the Treble
Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic are in superb form this season, having already claimed the Premier Sports Cup and sitting 16 points clear of Rangers in the Premiership. With the possibility of a domestic treble on the horizon, Celtic will be looking to continue their pursuit of silverware with a win in the Scottish Cup.
Celtic Park will be packed with a large number of Hibs fans, with 7,000 supporters expected to make the journey, following an increased away allocation. This will certainly add an extra atmosphere to the game, but Celtic’s dominant form makes them clear favourites heading into the cup tie.
Stubbs Reflects on Hibs’ Previous Victory
Ahead of Sunday’s match, former Hibs manager and Celtic defender Alan Stubbs sharing his thoughts on the game, and he believes Hibs are in with a real chance. Stubbs, speaking to Hibs Observer, reflected on their controversial 2-1 victory over Celtic earlier in the season. The match was marred by a wrong VAR decision that saw a Daizen Maeda equaliser ruled out, sparking debate among fans and pundits alike.
Stubbs explained, “What Hibs have done is, they’ve planted a seed of doubt in Celtic’s minds: ‘We can beat you’.” He continued, “It’s okay doing it once, and it doesn’t happen all the time, but to do it again will be a huge testament to how far Hibs have come.”
The Stakes for Celtic
For Celtic, Sunday’s clash is another step towards achieving a potential treble under Rodgers. While they are the clear favourites, Hibs’ strong form will make them a dangerous opponent. Both teams are in excellent shape, and the match is sure to be an exciting, hard-fought battle.
Celtic fans will be looking forward to the game; however, the manner in which the Hoops lost the previous match is set to make Sunday’s clash that bit more fiery. With so much at stake for Celtic to secure yet another treble, Rodgers and the Bhoys are sure to give everything at Paradise.
