Jamie McGrath breaks down Hibs' evolving leadership, his fitness comeback and the tactical outlook for the upcoming Celtic clash at Easter Road.
Hibernian are gearing up for a showdown with league leaders Celtic on their home turf at Easter Road. The atmosphere at East Mains has been charged by a reshuffle in the on-field hierarchy, a development that has drawn comments from several senior squad members.
New manager Marink Reedijk has kept Joe Newell as club captain, yet has handed the on-field skipper duties to experienced right-back Felix Passlack for the upcoming fixture. In the meantime, forward Martin Boyle remains a pivotal voice despite no longer wearing the armband.
Leadership realignment and locker-room chemistry
Midfielder Jamie McGrath described the sight of Passlack with the captain’s armband as “a little odd at first” but quickly added that the German has earned the respect of his teammates since joining in January.
“He’s very approachable, the heartbeat of the dressing room and always up for a laugh,” McGrath said. He stressed that the shift does not signal any division: “Everyone backs whoever wears it – Felix tomorrow, Joe the next day, maybe Martin after that. We are all together in there.” McGrath also dismissed concerns that Boyle’s influence would fade without the strip of fabric around his arm, noting that the forward “always brings positivity, deflects pressure and is the best person to put an arm around a teammate when things get tense.”
McGrath’s injury return and personal contribution
The Irish winger returned to action for a brief 30-minute spell in Hibs’ recent loss to Falkirk, a cameo that marked the first step in his rehabilitation from a calf problem. The same injury kept him out of the Republic of Ireland squad during the international break and forced him to miss the pre-season training camp in Spain. “I missed the camp, so I’m catching up now,” McGrath admitted, adding that his priority is to regain full fitness as quickly as possible. He also hinted at his willingness to start against Celtic, saying, “I’ll put my hand forward, fit or not – the manager decides.” Known for his work-rate rather than vocal leadership, McGrath explained that he tries to lead by “running hard and working hard,” hoping his experience can help younger teammates.
Strategic outlook for the Celtic encounter
Looking ahead to the clash at Easter Road, McGrath highlighted the importance of basic fundamentals: maintaining defensive solidity, sustaining clean sheets and executing the high-press tactics that Reedijk is instilling. He recalled Hibs’ previous success against Celtic in Glasgow last season, emphasizing that the side knows it can compete with the league’s best. While acknowledging Celtic’s quality – “they are dangerous and have shown that in Europe” – McGrath believes Hibs can match that intensity by “sticking together, working hard on the training ground and translating that into the weekend game.” He also spoke about his own positional flexibility, noting that he feels comfortable as a traditional No. 10, on the wing or in a deeper role, and that he and Reedijk have discussed where he can add the most value on the pitch.
In sum, the dressing-room narrative at Hibs revolves around shared responsibility, a fresh captaincy model and a player eager to cement his place after a modest return from injury. As the team lines up at Easter Road, the mix of seasoned leaders like Passlack, the steadying presence of Boyle and the renewed vigor of McGrath will be tested against Celtic’s firepower, making the fixture a pivotal moment in the club’s early-season journey.
