Simon Donnelly tips Hibernian to finish above Rangers this season

Follow us on Google Discover

Former Celtic and Scotland midfielder Simon Donnelly believes Hibs will beat Rangers and Aberdeen to claim second place.

With the Scottish Premiership end of season split about to take place, thoughts have turned to who will claim second place behind near certain champions Celtic at the end of the campaign.

Just a couple of weeks ago Rangers looked the most likely side to achieve this, having experienced a full turnaround in terms of form under Graeme Murty, going on an unbeaten run and recording some sizeable victories along the way.

However, since the Gers’ loss to Celtic at home, the team has capitulated somewhat, allowing both Hibs and Aberdeen back into the race for second. With Aberdeen reclaiming second spot after their victory last night, and Hibernian now only one point behind Rangers, former Old Firm star Simon Donnelly has shed light on who he believes will finish in second place, and who will be entering the first qualifying round of the Europa League this summer.

Speaking to PLZ Soccer on 3 April 2018, Donnelly tipped Neil Lennon’s Hibs to beat both Rangers and Aberdeen to second place, citing their performances against the league’s best as the defining factor between the three competing sides.

Rangers and Aberdeen have enjoyed strong seasons without the games against each other and Celtic, while Hibs have done remarkably well, drawing with the Bhoys on two occasions, beating the Gers twice and defeating Aberdeen once.

“I think it’s going to be a really good, exciting split,” Donnelly told PLZ Soccer, “The teams in there, Hibs, Rangers, Aberdeen all vying for the second spot.

“I think the way Hibs have handled the big games this season, They’ll, for me, pip [Rangers and Aberdeen] for second place.”

For a newly promoted side, Neil Lennon’s Hibs have been terrific and have probably played the best brand of football of any side in Scotland’s top flight this season, with a number of star performers in their starting XI.

Should they retain the majority of their players and, more importantly, their manager, they could be a real force to reckon with in terms of fending off Rangers and Aberdeen for second place in the coming years, especially if both Murty and Derek McInnes are no longer at their posts next year.