Keep On The Right Track

Pat Bonner feels Celtic are destined to top the league sooner rather than later

- Joe Sullivan

CELTIC have Hibernian in their sights this weekend, knowing that a win over the Leith side could possibly catapult the Hoops over, not only the Easter Road outfit, but also their capital counterparts in the shape of Hearts.

It’s all ifs and buts, though, as that scenario also depends of the outcome of the Hearts v Aberdeen match. However, a not inconsiderable obstacle closer to home in the bid to hurdle both Edinburgh teams is the fact that Hibs have been having a tremendous start to the season under Neil Lennon.

That fact is not lost on Celtic legend, Pat Bonner, and although the former Hoops goalkeeper expects Celtic to take the honours this weekend, he knows that the Hibees are no slouches and they go into the game in second place on merit.

Speaking to the Celtic View, Bonner said: “I think what Neil’s done with Hibs is quite remarkable. It’s the Hibs team that you would know and you can characterise under a manager like Neil.

“They play decent football, but at times they are a bit lackadaisical, and then suddenly he gets them going as maybe when half-time comes he gives them a boot up the old backside and they come out flying.

“I watched them in their 3-0 win over Dundee this season and that’s exactly what it was like in the first half. They were slow to start, they did okay and got a wee bit of control of the game, but in the second half, they came out and absolutely blew Dundee away.

“So that’s kind of how I see Hibs. I think when the big matches come up, they are really up for it from the very start. I think that’s probably down to the fact that teams usually mirror what the manager is like in many ways, and that’s kind of the way Neil was.”