Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon believes that Hibernian could be regarded as the second force in Scottish football.

The Easter Road side will host Celtic on Sunday afternoon in Leith and Gordon has warned that on their day Neil Lennon’s side are a match for anyone.

“I think if they can find the consistency to play regularly at their best then they would have a chance of that because, on their day, they can match anybody and get results,” said the Hoops keeper.

“They have quality players, especially at the top end of the park. They are dangerous opponents who’ve been doing reasonably well recently after getting used to playing top-flight football again.

“In terms of how they play, the way they work the ball and try to create openings, they’re definitely one of the better teams so this should be an attractive game to watch.”

Gordon is bracing himself for a difficult afternoon at Easter Road – a ground he has revealed is a particular bogey one of his.

The Scotland internationalist has won there only once in his career but he will look to add to that tally tomorrow.

“I didn’t get too many wins there – a few draws and just one win, I think [in my time at Hearts]. My favourite memory might have been a 2-2 draw and I had a save from a Rob Jones header to my left-hand side to keep it level.

“Hearts and Hibs games were always great to play in with a great atmosphere. Both stadiums are a lot bigger since I played as both clubs have expanded their main stands so it is going to be a good atmosphere.

“Wherever Celtic go they always tend to lift the home crowd and you can be sure that there will be good atmosphere. The travelling fans are brilliant and I am sure it will be a good atmosphere and a good game to match.”

Hibs held Celtic to a draw in the league a few months back before Lennon’s side lost 4-2 in the semi-final of the Betfred League Cup at Hampden when the teams met again. Familiar they may be, but Gordon is wary of something unexpected in a domestic sense tomorrow afternoon as Celtic look to stretch their sequence of unbeaten games to 68.

“They’ve given us two hard games already and it always seems to be the case that we play them immediately after a European tie,” said the stopper.

“This will be the third time in a row this season that’s happened and that makes it even more difficult because they are a very good team and they continually try to put you under pressure.

“We know we’ll need to play well, especially with it being away from home. The fact that they’re prepared to have a go makes it a difficult match but the reason they do that is because they have good players and they back their ability by trying to beat us.

“It’s going to be tough. We’re going to come back from Wednesday’s defeat and play the way we can play in order to impose our style on the game.

“This sequence is something we’re looking to stretch for as long as possible but Easter Road is a hard place to go to. I’ve played there plenty of times and know what it can be like.”