Premiership Picks: Celtic v Hibs, Marvin Bartley & Youssef Chermiti in focus

Celtic are licking their wounds after a bruising 4-1 Europa League knockout play-off first-leg defeat at home to Stuttgart on Thursday, but their domestic record under Martin O’Neill this season alone should give them plenty of encouragement.

Over two spells as interim manager this season, the 73-year-old Northern Irishman has overseen 10 league games, won nine of them and only dropped points in a draw away to leaders Heart of Midlothian.

Last Sunday’s win at Kilmarnock was one of the more dramatic, recovering from two goals down to prevail 3-2 with an added-time goal.

Celtic and Hibs’ last meeting was similarly tight, although not decided late on. O’Neill was in charge for that one as the visitors built up a two-goal half-time advantage before the Leith side pulled one back in the second period.

David Gray’s side are not only attempting to be the first Scottish team to beat an O’Neill team this season, they are also trying to arrest their fairly discouraging record at Celtic Park.

Hibs have not won there in more than 16 years and have avoided defeat only four times since that January 2010 victory.

And, while they bounced back from an unfortunate Edinburgh derby defeat by beating St Mirren last time out, they have now lost three straight games on the road.

With fourth-placed Motherwell a place and five points in front with a game in hand, Hibs cannot treat visiting a wounded Celtic as a mere free hit if they are to improve their chances of catching the Steelmen.