Hibernian fans have turned on their own defender, James Iredale, after his failure to stop Celtic’s star from scoring during their Scottish cup clash. The Australian full-back was heavily criticized for his role in Celtic’s second goal, with many Hibs supporters demanding that he be dropped from the squad immediately.
The incident occurred in a crucial moment of the game, as Celtic pushed forward looking to extend their lead. Idah, who earns a reported €25,000 per week, proved too strong and quick for Iredale, brushing past him with ease before slotting the ball past the helpless Hibernian goalkeeper. The goal all but sealed the game for Celtic, leaving Hibs fans furious at their team’s defensive frailties.
Immediately after the goal, social media was flooded with angry messages from Hibs supporters, many of whom singled out Iredale for criticism. Fans accused him of being too weak in the challenge and failing to show the necessary aggression to stop a player of Idah’s quality.
Fans Call for Iredale to Be Dropped
Some fans went as far as to demand that Iredale be dropped from the squad entirely, arguing that his performances have not been good enough to warrant a place in the team.
One supporter wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“That was shocking from Iredale. Just let Idah walk past him like he wasn’t even there. Get him out of the team immediately!”
Another fan fumed:
“If you can’t put in a challenge at this level, you shouldn’t be playing for Hibs. Embarrassing defending from Iredale.”
Others questioned why manager David gray had chosen to start Iredale in such a high-stakes match, with some suggesting that a different defensive option should have been used to deal with Celtic’s attacking threats.
Celtic’s Quality Proves Too Much for Hibernian
While much of the focus was on Iredale’s mistake, there was also an acknowledgment among some Hibs fans that Celtic’s attacking quality was simply too much for their side to handle. Adam Idah has been in fine form, and his strength and pace have made him a nightmare for defenders across the league.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers had praised Idah’s impact before the game, and the Irish forward certainly lived up to expectations by making a decisive contribution. His second-half goal demonstrated exactly why Celtic were so keen to bring him in during the winter transfer window.
With Hibs struggling to maintain consistency in the league, the pressure is mounting on both the players and manager david Gray. The reaction from supporters suggests that Iredale’s place in the starting XI could be in serious jeopardy, especially if he fails to bounce back with an improved performance in the next match.
David gray may now have a decision to make ahead of Hibernian’s upcoming fixtures. Does he stick with Iredale and give him a chance to redeem himself, or does he bow to fan pressure and drop him in favor of another defensive option?
The manager is expected to address the issue in his post-match comments, but one thing is clear—Hibs fans are running out of patience, and James Iredale is firmly in the firing line.
