Facing resurgent Celtic 'very good' for Hibs - Gray

Hosting a Celtic side on a high from Thursday's Europa League win over Feyenoord is a "very good" game for Hibernian after their midweek defeat by Motherwell, head coach David Gray insists.

"I'm looking for a reaction and I know I'll get it from the players," he said of Sunday's game.

"We've got a home crowd, early kick-off, live on the telly, I think it's what players should come to this football club for, an opportunity to test themselves against one of the best in the league."

It is expected to be Martin O'Neill's final game as Celtic interim manager before a permanent appointment is made.

"A lot of people have said they've not had a brilliant start to the season, but they're in the cup final, they've just won in Europe away," Gray said.

"I think obviously with Martin O'Neill and his staff coming in, they've steadied the ship, they've won some big results and, if it is to be their last game, I'm sure they'll want to go out on a high.

"Our opportunity now is to try and make sure that doesn't happen. Regardless of who the manager is, whatever their form is, they've got top players, players that play European football for a reason, so we know the challenge will be difficult."

Hibs missed the chance to narrow the gap with second-top Celtic to two points on Tuesday as Motherwell drew level with Gray's side on goal difference.

"You can't dwell on things like that, but I did think it was important we didn't just sweep it under the carpet," he added.

"The biggest disappointment from my point of view, and where my frustration came from, was it was just so unlike us as a performance.

"It's not as if I've had to do this a lot, but I had to go over it and I had to be quite blunt. We got sucked into a way of playing, I believe, for the first 20-25 minutes which is not the way we've played."