Hibs' Gathuessi set for key role against Celtic

THIERRY GATHUESSI is set for a shock return to action against Celtic in a match Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen warned his side simply cannot afford to lose.

The error-prone Cameroon internationalist lost his place after being sent off as Hibs slumped to defeat at Aberdeen, allowing 20-year-old Kevin McCann to return following a 13-match absence as the Easter Road outfit kept their UEFA Cup dream alive with a battling point against Rangers. But Paatelainen has disclosed he is sweating over the fitness of McCann. The youngster had been struggling with an inflamed knee tendon and has now suffered a setback following his exertions last weekend.

And that could force Paatelainen to turn to Gathuessi who gave away needless penalties against Aberdeen and Dundee United in successive weeks, leaving Hibs with only one point from two games in which they had taken the lead.

Gathuessi's subsequent tirade against referee Stuart Dougal at Pittodrie earned him a red card and a dressing down from Paatelainen, who accused him of letting down his team-mates.

Paatelainen conceded McCann was struggling to make tomorrow's televised clash saying: "Because Kevin had to come back a little bit too early his knee is quite painful but we will see how it goes."

Martin Canning has played at right-back but, in the absence of the injured Chris Hogg, the former Gretna centre-half has formed a formidable partnership with skipper Rob Jones in the centre of Hibs defence.

The back line has conceded just one goal from open play in four games.

Hogg is now fit again but has been out since the start of last month.

Paatelainen has already gone on record as saying he's looking for as settled a defence as possible and so may resist making two changes rather than one.

In that case Gathuessi would be faced with the daunting task of trying to snuff out Celtic ace Aiden McGeady.

The winger was pointed out by Paatelainen, along with Shunsuke Nakamura as potent threats for Gordon Strachan's side.

The big Finn said: "Celtic have powerful strikers, Scott McDonald in very good goal scoring form and wingers who are always dangerous and put in quality crosses."

Paatelainen has acknowledged Hibs Euro fate isn't entirely in their own hands.

"A win for rivals Motherwell over Aberdeen today and defeat at Celtic Park tomorrow would end the Edinburgh club's interest in the UEFA Cup.

Accentuating the positive, though, the Hibs boss said: "As long as we do not lose then we are still in the race and then everything is possible. We need to take a result from Celtic, that's for sure."

Celtic are rejuvenated by once again topping the SPL table when it appeared their title had been wrenched from them but Paatelainen is adamant his team can, at least, repeat last weekend's draw with Rangers.

He said: "It won't be easy but we have quality in the squad and if we play to our full ability I will be confident we can created chances. We took a couple of points from Rangers and hopefully we can upset Celtic.

"We'll look after our own interest, try to accumulate as many points as possible. Whoever finishes third will have deserved it, we just hope it is us."

Meanwhile, Paatelainen revealed midfielder Craig Rocastle, who spent a successful spell with Hibs while on loan from Chelsea almost four years ago, will spent a couple of days on trial with the Edinburgh club next week.