Hibs striker Abdessalam Benjelloun believes a win over Celtic will be the ideal springboard for a late surge to sneak into third place. John Hughes' side is looking to follow up their shock 2-1 away win in January by giving interim manager Neil Lennon his first taste of defeat since taking over the reins from Tony Mowbray. Danny Galbraith struck the decisive injury-time goal to chalk up a memorable three points at Parkhead. However, since then, Hibs have struggled for consistency and have slipped five points behind third-placed Dundee. Morocco international Benjelloun insists the televised visit of the Hoops is the perfect time to get their season back on track.
He said: "I hope a win on Sunday can give us a big push to move for third place as United are now five points clear and it's very hard to close that gap. They're playing at St Johnstone on Monday but it will be a hard game. We have to look after ourselves, we need to take three points and I think we'll be close to finishing third. Every game is important for us, especially against Celtic. We have a good chance to get three points with United playing on Monday. Celtic want three points and now they are focused. They have a new manager and I think it will be a very open game. I was not involved in the 2-1 win at Celtic, I was on the bench but I hope to start on Sunday to help the team.”
Manager Hughes has several injury problems to cope with ahead of today's game with Celtic. Playmaker Merouane Zemmama has been ruled out for the rest of the season thanks to a knee injury, while Kevin McBride is still struggling with an ankle problem. Paul Hanlon, Alan Gow and long-term absentee Kevin McCann are all out of contention but Hughes is hoping David Wotherspoon can shake of an ankle injury and be available for selection.
Hibs striker Abdessalam Benjelloun believes a win over Celtic will be the ideal springboard for a late surge to sneak into third place. John Hughes' side is looking to follow up their shock 2-1 away win in January by giving interim manager Neil Lennon his first taste of defeat since taking over the reins from Tony Mowbray. Danny Galbraith struck the decisive injury-time goal to chalk up a memorable three points at Parkhead. However, since then, Hibs have struggled for consistency and have slipped five points behind third-placed Dundee. Morocco international Benjelloun insists the televised visit of the Hoops is the perfect time to get their season back on track.