[https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk](https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk) slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Celtic at Easter Road in Scottish Premiership action, with the result putting further scrutiny on Head Coach Marink Reedijk’s tenure. The dramatic loss featured one of the more unusual tactical moments of the campaign when the veteran centre-back Grant Hanley was sent forward as an emergency striker in the closing minutes.
A Tactical Gamble in Desperation
The unconventional deployment of Hanley highlighted the attacking constraints facing Reedijk as his side chased an equaliser. “I saw that we struggled to get the momentum. Celtic tried to play the game out and I wanted to change something to get a little bit of chaos,” Reedijk explained of the move that underscored Hibernian’s limited options in the final third.
The decision to repurpose a defensive mainstay as a focal point in attack raised eyebrows and sparked discussion about the club’s current squad composition and attacking depth. Rather than deploying recognised forwards like Ante Suto or Nathan Lowe exclusively, Reedijk’s gambit demonstrated the pressure mounting on the Edinburgh side during their battle with their rivals.
Questions Mount Over Squad Arsenal
The circumstances surrounding Hanley’s unlikely appearance as a striker have fuelled broader conversation about Hibernian’s offensive arsenal under Reedijk’s management. The club possesses attacking talent including players such as Rabbi Matondo and Martin Boyle, yet the inability to find an equaliser—let alone take the lead—against Celtic suggested deeper issues than mere personnel availability.
The result at Easter Road represents another stumbling block in what has become a challenging campaign for Hibernian. The 2-1 scoreline epitomised a narrow defeat that could easily have swung either direction, particularly given the dramatic nature of the closing exchanges when unconventional tactics were employed in pursuit of parity.