Celtic are just starting to build a head of steam after a sluggish start as Greg Taylor pings a shot high over the target.

A dangerous cross from Luke McCowan causes consternation in the Hibs penalty box and Jordan Smith does well to push the ball away to safety.

John Collins
Former Hibernian and Celtic player on BBC Sportsound

For Celtic, it's so obvious. They just need to clip the ball over the top. There's a massive gap there!

Nectar Triantis has now contributed to goals in his past three Premiership games at Easter Road.

Hibs have won four and drawn three when scoring first at home in the league this season.

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John Collins
Former Hibernian and Celtic player on BBC Sportsound

Kieron Bowie is causing Celtic all sorts of problems with his physical presence and his movement.

That's an excellent save!

Callum McGregor is caught napping by Martin Boyle and that allows Kieran Bowie to lash in a shot from near the edge of the box.

Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel needs strong hands to bat that one away.

Pat Nevin
Former Scotland winger on BBC Sportsound

The key for Hibs now is are they brave enough to keep on doing this or are they going to sit back and be a back five?

From the the corner, Warren O'Hora is involved again, flashing a first-time effort wide.

Hibs threaten again, with Warren O'Hora making his presence felt from a free-kick. The last touch came from a Celtic man and the hosts have a corner.

John Collins
Former Hibernian and Celtic player on BBC Sportsound

I said we want to see Hibs put Celtic on the back foot. They've just played right through the Celtic midfield. Apart from anything else, that's a beautiful goal!

And away we go.

A bit tardy...

Hibs have won just one of their past 24 meetings with Celtic across all competitions (D7 L16).

That was a very entertaining 4-2 at Easter Road in May 2023 when Celtic had already wrapped up the title.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland at Easter Road

The atmosphere is building up nicely here at Easter Road and there is an optimism for both sets of supporters on this sunny lunchtime in Leith.

We hopefully will have a few goals on show with 19 of the 20 outfield players already having found the back of the net this season.

Both teams like to attack and the pace of this game could take its toll on a few in the latter part of the contest.

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Jordan Smith joined Hibs as a number two goalkeeper in July, having spent the prior campaign as back-up at Stockport County.

He made an inauspicious debut in a League Cup defeat at Kelty Hearts in July and was not seen again until late November but he has kept the gloves since then and has been a big factor in the improvements made at Easter Road.

The 30-year-old made one miraculous stop in last weekend's drab draw away to St Mirren.

Will he be in for a busy afternoon?

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John Collins
Former Hibernian and Celtic player on BBC Sportsound

I was looking down at the players warming up and it looks like a Hibs back four instead of a back three. Why not go on the front foot? You're on a great run and Celtic are coming to your place.

Expectation is limited and you're not panicking like you were at the start of the season. We might have a cracker on our hands today.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells BBC Scotland: "The players have been outstanding in their mentality and professionalism because there's so much energy required in the European games.

"We've been very aggressive, looking to hurt opponents with our quality, so it's the same idea today."

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Hibernian head coach David Gray tells BBC Scotland: "Celtic were excellent in Munich, extremely unlucky not to win.

"It's a huge challenge for us but one we need to look forward to. It's a great opportunity to test yourself against players that are playing the Champions League.

"There will be difficult periods in the game and it's about sticking together.

"To get on this run we've been on, it takes belief, but we know we need to keep on improving."

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Since that 3-0 defeat at Celtic Park, Hibs have been on an excellent run, unbeaten in 12 matches in all competitions.

It's been a bit of a grind of late, but a defence that was extremely leaky at the start of this campaign has conceded just once in their past five outings.

Celtic were 2-0 up after 20 minutes on their last visit to Easter Road in August and coasted home thereafter.

They knocked Hibs out of the League Cup seven days later, scoring three that day in Glasgow, and hit another three at Celtic Park in the league in early December.

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