The Celtic/Hibs Green and White XI

Since the formation of Celtic there has always been a steady stream of players bouncing between the new boys and Hibernian of Edinburgh.

The route from Celtic Park to Easter Road and back again has been a popular one for players with Pat McGinley enjoying it so much that he returned straight back to Hibs after 15 months in the hoops.

Scott Brown and Anthony Stokes of the current Celtic squad have both played for Hibs while Lisbon Lions Ronnie Simpson and Bertie Auld also played for both club’s with Auld also managing Hibs for a spell- as did Jock Stein.

In no particular order and throwing the floor open to suggestions I’ve selected a Celtic/Hibs XI that would take a bit of stopping!

Simpson earns the nod in goals ahead of Alan Rough who enjoyed six months with Celtic after half a dozen years at Easter Road. The Simpson story is an incredible one, the 15-year-old Queens Park goalkeeper, the Newcastle United FA Cup winner, sold by Stein to Celtic then a European Cup winner at 37!

At right-back Alan Sneddon made a good career for himself at Hibs after five seasons at Celtic, making his hoops debut a month after signing from Larkhall Thistle.

In central defence Gary Caldwell is likely to be the only person to argue against a partnership of Pat Stanton and John Hughes. Stanton completed his medal collection in one exceptional season at Celtic while Yogi gave it heart and sole moving from Falkirk to become part of Tommy Burns exciting team back at the renovated Celtic Park.

Left-back is a tricky position to fill but with John Collins in front of him I’m sure that Jackie McNamara senior could adapt into the role.

Midfield looks a real quality area of the side with Auld and Broonie calling the shots- and taking no prisoners! Any team-mates caught slacking would quickly be told the error of their ways.

With Collins on the left I’d put McGinlay in right midfield, an under-rated player who was always good for double figures- finishing top scorer in his one full season at Celtic.

In attack we are guaranteed loads of goals between Stokes and Joe McBride. Stokes will be desperate to be involved today against his old club while McBride was without doubt the unluckiest Celt ever- missing the glory of Lisbon but finishing top scorer despite playing his last match in December 66.

Feel free to add your own comments and suggestions- I’m sure there are a few players who’ve slipped my memory but the XI above would take a bit of beating.

CELTIC/HIBS: Simpson: Sneddon, Stanton, Hughes, McNamara: McGinlay, Brown, Auld, Collins: Stokes, McBride.