Celtic Prepare for Hibernian Clash Amidst Europa League Disappointment

Celtic turn their attention back to domestic duties this Sunday, February 22, 2026, as they face Hibernian at Celtic Park. This comes after a challenging Europa League knockout play-off first-leg defeat against Stuttgart on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The Scottish champions will be looking to quickly rebound from the 4-1 loss and maintain their position in the tightly contested Scottish Premiership title race.

Recent Europa League Setback

Celtic suffered a significant setback in their Europa League ambitions with a 4-1 defeat at home to Stuttgart. The BBC reports that the match, which marked Martin O’Neill’s 1,000th as a manager, saw defensive vulnerabilities and a lack of energy from the home side. Bilal El Khannouss scored twice for Stuttgart, with Jamie Leweling and Tiago Tomas also finding the net. Benjamin Nygren scored Celtic’s lone goal in the 21st minute. Sky Sports highlighted fan protests against the board and criticism directed at goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel during the match.

Domestic Challenge: Hibernian Await

Despite the European disappointment, Celtic must now focus on the Scottish Premiership. Hibernian will present a stern test, aiming to capitalize on Celtic’s recent performance. The Daily Record noted the difficult evening for Schmeichel, who was at fault for two of Stuttgart’s goals and was jeered by the Celtic faithful.

Match Officials Confirmed

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has announced the officiating team for the match. Matthew MacDermid will be the referee, assisted by Daniel McFarlane and Chris Rae. Grant Irvine will be on VAR duty, with Ross Hardie assisting. MacDermid has previously officiated two Celtic matches this season: a 2-0 defeat against Dundee and a 4-2 win over Livingston.

Celtic’s Recent League Form

Celtic have secured late victories in their recent league games, with goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Julian Araujo proving decisive against Livingston and Kilmarnock, respectively. Hibs, meanwhile, demonstrated their ability to compete at Celtic Park, holding the Hoops to a draw in September.

Key Takeaways

• Celtic face a quick turnaround after a disappointing Europa League result.
• Hibs will be looking to exploit Celtic’s vulnerability and put pressure on them in the title race.
• The match will be officiated by Matthew MacDermid, with Grant Irvine on VAR.
• Celtic have been reliant on late goals to secure points in recent league matches.