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Hibernian manager Marink Reedijk reckons his side can cause Celtic problems when the two teams meet at Easter Road on Sunday.
Martin O’Neill’s side head to Edinburgh after Thursday night’s Europa League defeat to Celta Vigo.
Their domestic form has been far better, with Celtic sitting four points clear at the top of the Premiership.
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Reedijk has lost his first two games as Hibs manager against Dundee United and Falkirk, but the Dutchman believes his players are improving.
And despite Celtic’s position at the top of the table, he hasn’t ruled out getting a result against the champions.
Speaking to Sky Sports Scotland, Reedijk said: “For me, it is the next game, and I’m curious if we can make the next steps again.
“Obviously, they are one of the teams which have the quality in the league because otherwise they won’t be where they are.
“However, football is a strange game, and out of the blue things can click, and then it can also go our way, and it will go in our way if we do the things properly, like we expect them to go.”
Reedijk is still waiting for his first points as Hibs boss. His players have struggled to turn possession and chances into goals, something he has already acknowledged needs to improve.
Hibs are bottom of the Premiership with seven points from nine games, leaving them 17 points behind Celtic. They haven’t won a home league match since April 4, and the defeat to Falkirk has only added to Reedijk’s problems.
Hibs have scored just nine league goals this season. Celtic managed seven against Hearts in one afternoon. O’Neill’s side also beat Motherwell 2-0 in their previous Premiership fixture, giving them nine goals scored and just one conceded across their last two domestic matches.
Celtic will be looking to put the Celta Vigo defeat behind them on Sunday. And with Hibs struggling at Easter Road, O’Neill will expect his players to take advantage.
Reedijk might believe things are starting to improve at Hibs, but he needs results to back that up.