Hibs' hopes of securing a strong finish to the season took another significant hit over the weekend, as their defeat to Celtic proved to be yet another "hammer blow" for manager David Gray and his squad. While the team showed plenty of effort, it wasn't enough to overcome a recurring issue—playing with a reduced number of players for the third consecutive match.

Jamie McGrath, who has been arguably Hibs' standout performer this season, was at the center of the action for all the wrong reasons. His rash tackle led to a red card, a costly mistake that turned out to be the decisive moment in the game. It's a tough pill to swallow for a player who has otherwise been a consistent bright spot for the team.

With only three games left on the schedule, the pressure is mounting. Hibs are chasing Motherwell for fourth place, but they no longer control their own destiny. They'll need a favor from Hearts, who face Motherwell in a late kick-off on Saturday, to keep their hopes alive. Before that, Hibs travel to Falkirk, a team enjoying a remarkable campaign under John McGlynn in their first top-flight season in 15 years. The Bairns are just two points behind, adding even more urgency to the task at hand.

Gray has emphasized all season the importance of showing year-on-year improvement. Last season, Hibs finished with 58 points, and while that total is still within reach, it would require three consecutive wins from their final three fixtures. That's a tall order, especially given their recent struggles with discipline and depth.

Looking ahead, a significant squad overhaul is on the horizon once the season concludes. On-loan players will depart, and stalwarts like Martin Boyle are expected to move on to new challenges. For Hibs, the work to rebuild a competitive squad for next season may ultimately be more critical than the outcome of the remaining matches. But for now, every point matters, and the players need to stay focused on the immediate task—starting with Falkirk.