The dilemma facing Hibernian supporters this weekend is a strange one: should they cheer for their own side to win, or would a loss actually serve their broader interests? The upcoming clash against Celtic, broadcast live on Sky Sports, comes at a time when the Edinburgh club sit three points behind city rivals Hearts in the Scottish Premiership title race.
This unusual scenario forces fans to weigh loyalty to their team against the desire to see Hearts’ championship hopes diminished. A comparable situation unfolded in May 2024 in the English Premier League, when Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou launched an impassioned tirade at his own supporters. Fans had been urging him not to beat Manchester City, fearing that a Tottenham victory would hand Arsenal a better chance of clinching the title.
The Hibs‑Celtic fixture mirrors that tension, but it is magnified by the fact that neither Edinburgh side has lifted the top‑flight trophy since Hearts’ historic triumph in 1960. The stakes feel almost mythic, and the notion of a club deliberately throwing a game is almost unthinkable. Having missed the opportunity to dent Hearts’ title ambitions in the previous Edinburgh Derby, Hibernian manager David Gray now finds himself in an almost impossible position. A win would improve Hibs’ slim prospects of finishing fourth – a placement that guarantees European competition – yet it would also hand Hearts a valuable three points, potentially narrowing the gap in the championship race.
Meanwhile, Hibs sit six points adrift of Motherwell with only four matches remaining, and Gray’s primary focus, as he repeatedly emphasizes, is to close that deficit and secure a European berth. "It’s not awkward for me, it’s self‑explanatory," Gray told Sky Sports News. "We are professionals and we will do everything we can to win.
I understand the noise – I grew up in Edinburgh and I hear the chatter – but the post‑split fixtures can change everything quickly. We still have enough games to fight for fourth place, so we must concentrate on getting as many points as possible." Gray’s message is clear: the club’s immediate objective is to accumulate points, regardless of how other results unfold. He added that any favourable outcomes elsewhere – such as Hearts dropping points – would be a bonus, but not the primary goal.
This pragmatic stance underscores the professional ethos that underpins modern football, where managers are expected to prioritize their own club’s performance above all else. Nevertheless, separating duty from emotion proves more challenging for the fanbase. Hibs supporter Euan Wilson, speaking on the Down the Slope podcast, admitted that a portion of the crowd would actually prefer a loss. "If Hibs win, I won’t be disappointed, but at this stage of the season it wouldn’t be the worst outcome for a Hibs fan if we didn’t win," he said.
Wilson highlighted the rivalry’s intensity, noting that the desire to see Hearts lose can sometimes eclipse the instinct to support one’s own team. "If we lose and it means Hearts don’t win the league, so be it. Six points is a lot to make up in four games against a strong Motherwell side." Celtic’s manager, Martin O'Neill, is no stranger to the complexities of Scottish city rivalries. He acknowledged the emotional pull that Hibs fans might feel, but stressed that neither his players nor his coaching staff would contemplate throwing a match.
"I hadn’t even thought about it," O'Neill told Sky Sports News. "I can understand Hibs fans maybe thinking about that, but certainly not the team and the coaching staff. Absolutely not – it wouldn’t enter their heads." For Celtic, the match at Easter Road is more than just a routine league game. A victory would see them level on points with the leaders, keeping their own title hopes alive as they prepare to host Rangers the following day.
Despite a turbulent season that saw three different managers at the helm, Celtic remain in contention for what could be their 14th championship in 15 seasons. O'Neill reflected on the atmosphere surrounding Celtic’s recent fixtures, recalling the passionate support that lifted the players and reminded him of “the olden days.” He emphasized that the crowd’s energy was a vital factor, noting that the players fed off the encouragement and felt emboldened to push forward. The broader narrative here is one of competing loyalties and the harsh realities of professional sport.
While supporters may be tempted to influence outcomes for the benefit of a rival, managers like Gray and O'Neill are bound by contracts, ethics, and the simple fact that their jobs depend on delivering results for their own clubs. The fans’ internal conflict – cheering for a win that could simultaneously aid a rival – highlights how deeply intertwined football is with local identity, pride, and the ever‑present desire for silverware.
In the end, the upcoming Hibs‑Celtic showdown will likely be decided on the pitch, with both sides striving for victory. Whether Hibs fans silently hope for a Celtic win to keep Hearts at bay, or whether they rally behind their team despite the potential collateral damage, the match will serve as a vivid illustration of how football can simultaneously unite and divide communities.
The outcome will not only shape the final league table but also provide a snapshot of how modern supporters navigate the delicate balance between club allegiance and city rivalry.