Why did Marink Reedijk deploy Grant Hanley as a striker?
Marink Reedijk moved Grant Hanley into an advanced role during the final eight minutes of the match to introduce unpredictability into a struggling Hibernian side. Facing a 2-1 deficit against Celtic, the Hibs head coach sought to disrupt the rhythm of the league leaders by creating a sense of tactical disorder. According to Reedijk, the decision was a deliberate attempt to generate "a little bit of chaos" as Celtic attempted to control the closing stages of the game.
The tactical shift was not without immediate impact. Despite being a natural defender, Hanley provided a physical presence that unsettled the Celtic backline. He successfully won a header that directly resulted in a scoring opportunity for Josh Mulligan and was narrowly unable to connect with a deflected shot from Rabbi Matondo. Reedijk defended the decision, stating that Hanley performed a "fantastic job" by becoming a significant handful for the two Celtic defenders who struggled to manage his aerial threat.
The fine line between tactical genius and desperation
In football, the transition of a centre-back to a target man is often viewed through two distinct lenses: a calculated tactical masterstroke or a symptom of extreme squad depletion. Had Hanley secured an equaliser or provided a decisive assist, the move likely would have been celebrated as a moment of coaching intuition. However, with the 2-1 defeat confirmed, the move instead serves as a visual representation of Hibernian's inability to find conventional solutions to their goal-scoring problems.
What does the Hanley cameo reveal about Hibs' attacking depth?
The reliance on a centre-back to lead the line underscores a critical shortage of functional attacking options within the current Hibernian squad. The match saw several key absences and ineffective substitutions that left the team unable to sustain pressure on Celtic. The absence of Martin Boyle, who was forced out of the lineup on the morning of the game due to illness, removed a vital dimension from the Hibs attack.
The failure of the specialist substitutes further exacerbated the situation. Ante Suto was introduced 15 minutes before Hanley's cameo, yet he failed to register any meaningful impact on the game. This lack of production from the designated forwards suggests that the problem extends beyond a single injury. The squad's primary striking options include Suto and Nathan Lowe, but neither was able to provide the necessary spark to challenge the Celtic defence.
The tactical landscape for Hibs is complicated by the differing profiles of their available forwards. While goalscorer Owen Elding and record signing Thibault Klidje offer different styles of play, the inability of the coaching staff to find a cohesive attacking rhythm has left the team languishing at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership. The necessity of using a defender in an advanced role is a clear indicator that the current roster lacks the quality required to compete at the top end of the table.
How has the performance impacted the view of Hibs' recruitment?
The tactical desperation shown at Easter Road has reignited criticism of the club's recent recruitment efforts and the management of sporting director Malky Mackay. Fans have increasingly expressed dissatisfaction with the profile of players brought into the squad, a sentiment that was reinforced by the lack of impact from high-profile signings during the Celtic match. The fact that a defender was the most threatening presence in the box is being used by critics to highlight a failure in squad building.
Former Hibs midfielder Scott Allan has been vocal regarding these concerns, suggesting that the reliance on Hanley is a worrying sign for the supporters. Allan noted that the impact fans were hoping to see from Ante Suto was instead provided by a centre-back, which he views as a significant concern for the club's trajectory. For Allan, the use of a target-man approach via a defender is not a sustainable or desirable way to attempt to salvage games.
The role of Malky Mackay and the January window
The scrutiny on Malky Mackay is intensifying as the club remains at the bottom of the league. With the January transfer window approaching, the pressure on the recruitment department to rectify the squad's imbalances is immense. Reedijk is currently restricted to the tools at his disposal, and without significant reinforcements in the attacking third, the club faces a difficult period in the coming months.
Has there been any tactical progress under Marink Reedijk?
Despite the rhetoric surrounding a change in playing style, there is little evidence to suggest that Hibernian has successfully implemented a new tactical identity since Marink Reedijk replaced David Gray. While the coaching staff has spoken extensively about evolving the team's approach, the on-field performance has remained inconsistent, characterized by a struggle to maintain momentum against high-level opposition.
Scott Allan has observed that the promised changes in style of play have not yet materialized in a tangible way. He noted that while there has been significant talk regarding a shift in methodology, the actual results and the flow of football have not reflected this transition. For the club to climb out of the relegation zone, Allan suggests that the team must move beyond tactical experiments and start "winning games of football" through consistent, high-quality performances.
The current situation leaves the club in a precarious position. Being bottom of the Scottish Premiership means that the margin for error is virtually non-existent. The combination of poor recruitment, a lack of attacking depth, and an unproven tactical evolution has created a perfect storm of pressure for both the coaching staff and the board.
FAQ: Hibernian vs Celtic 2026
What was the final score of the Hibs vs Celtic match?
Celtic defeated Hibernian 2-1 at Easter Road on October 25, 2026. The result left Hibernian at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table, while Celtic maintained a four-point lead at the top of the standings.
Why did Grant Hanley play as a striker?
Grant Hanley, a centre-back, was moved into a striker role by coach Marink Reedijk in the final eight minutes of the game. The move was intended to create "chaos" and provide a physical aerial threat to help Hibs find an equaliser.
Who are the main strikers currently in the Hibs squad?
The primary strikers available to Hibernian include Ante Suto and Nathan Lowe. Other attacking options include goalscorer Owen Elding and record signing Thibault Klidje, though the team has struggled to find consistent form from these players.
What caused Martin Boyle to miss the game?
Martin Boyle was forced to withdraw from the starting lineup on the morning of the match against Celtic due to illness. His absence was a significant factor in Hibernian's inability to maintain a consistent attacking presence throughout the game.
Has Hibs improved under Marink Reedijk?
According to former midfielder Scott Allan, there has been no visible improvement in the team's style of play under Reedijk. Despite discussions regarding a change in tactics, the team has struggled to find momentum and remains at the bottom of the league.
Key takeaways
- Hibernian lost 2-1 to Celtic, leaving them at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.
- Grant Hanley was deployed as an emergency striker in the final eight minutes to create tactical chaos.
- The club's attacking depth is under scrutiny following the absence of Martin Boyle and ineffective substitutions.
- Criticism has been directed at sporting director Malky Mackay regarding the club's recent recruitment failures.
The outlook for Hibernian
The match against Celtic has exposed the structural vulnerabilities within the Hibernian squad, particularly regarding attacking depth and recruitment quality. While Marink Reedijk's attempt to inject chaos via Grant Hanley provided a brief moment of physical disruption, it ultimately highlighted a lack of viable offensive alternatives. As the club remains at the bottom of the table, the focus will shift toward the January transfer window. Whether the club can rectify its recruitment issues and implement a coherent tactical identity remains the defining challenge for the remainder of the season.
