Hanley's makeshift striker role raises questions for bottom side Hibs
Hibs boss Marink Reedijk sent defender Grant Hanley up front in a losing effort against Celtic, prompting concern about the squad's attacking options.
Hibs head coach Marink Reedijk turned to centre-back Grant Hanley as a makeshift striker with eight minutes remaining against Celtic at Easter Road on Sunday, as the bottom side searched for an equaliser. Hanley won a header that led to a chance for Josh Mulligan and nearly connected with a deflected Rabbi Matondo effort, but Hibs ultimately lost 2-1 and remain at the foot of the Scottish Premiership.
Reedijk said the change was intended to disrupt Celtic's attempts to close out the game. He argued it worked, describing Hanley as a handful for the two defenders who, in his view, did not know how to deal with him.
Former Hibs midfielder Scott Allan took a different view, calling the substitution a concern rather than a positive. He said the impact from Hanley was the kind Hibs would have wanted from Ante Suto, who came on about 15 minutes earlier without a meaningful effect. Allan questioned the overall quality in the Hibs side and rejected the idea that a defender moving up front was something to celebrate.
Hibs' striking depth was further limited because Martin Boyle withdrew on the morning of the game through illness. Suto and Nathan Lowe are the forwards in the squad suited to leading the line, while goalscorer Owen Elding and record signing Thibault Klidje are different types of forwards. The club's supporters have voiced dissatisfaction with sporting director Malky Mackay and the recruitment done under his watch.
Allan said he had not seen improvement since Reedijk replaced David Gray, questioning whether a change in style was actually visible despite talk of one. With Hibs bottom of the table and Reedijk working with the players available until January, the result and the team's attacking options remain a major worry.
Image: SNS / BBC Sport
