THE length of the premier division separates Hibernian and Celtic, both of whom require to take something from today's game for entirely different reasons.

Hibs go into the match in the earnest knowledge that they require to take at least a point to help halt their slide towards relegation. Celtic, on the other hand, sit at the top of the league and come into the game on the back of impressive victories over Kilmarnock and Dunfermline in which they scored a total of nine goals for the loss of one.

Striker Harald Brattbakk is in the middle of a rich vein of form following his four goals against Kilmarnock and his brace against Dunfermline in midweek. The club have brought back Tosh McKinlay from his loan period with Stoke to provide defensive cover in the title run-in and will have Alan Stubbs and Jackie McNamara back in the squad.

Darren Jackson has a hamstring problem and will miss the game and Tommy Johnston and Regi Blinker are still out. Celtic midfielder Morten Weighorst is out of contract at the end of the season, but talks were ongoing with the player.

The Easter Road side have been struggling to score goals of late and are likely to give strong-running striker Barry Lavety a place in the starting line-up, with new signing Grant Brebner, brought to Easter Road on loan from Manchester United, likely to figure in the game at some stage. Lavety missed the club's 1-1 midweek draw against Dundee United at Tannadice, as did defender Darren Dods, who has served his four-match suspension and is available for selection against Celtic.

However, midfielder Pat McGinlay will miss the game against his old club as he serves the last of a three-game ban. Striker Andy Walker ends his loan period after the match against Celtic and McLeish said he would be talking to the player on Monday to discuss the situation.

The introduction of Lavety will help the Hibs cause as, despite defending well and deep against United, they made hardly any chances, with only a John Hughes headed goal after a scramble keeping them in the match. Manager McLeish said: ''I watched Celtic play in midweek and I felt Dunfermline showed their players too much respect.

''However, we will go about this game in the proper manner and the players will be sent out to win all three points. This is going to be a very tough match because Celtic are on fire right now and we must compete against them.

''It's no good standing back and admiring Lambert making passes or Mahe making great runs up the left side. If we sit back and admire Celtic players, we will loose.''

The draw with Dundee United gave McLeish new hope after narrowly losing out to Rangers in his first game in charge. ''The players have worked very hard in training and prepared to battle for everything until the end of the season,'' he said.

''It has been a really tough start to my time here, but the lads have reacted well and are looking forward to the game.

Celtic manager Wim Jansen yesterday praised the team spirit amongst his players and said their self-belief was on the up. He said he realised that McLeish, when manager of Motherwell, had a good track record against Celtic, and that his players had to perform to their full ability to come away with a result.

Although Brattbakk has been scoring goals for the Parkhead club, in-form Henrik Larsson, who has scored 17 goals in 37 games, will be one of the main threats for the Easter Road defence. The 26-year-old insists he is not feeling the effects of the arduous campaign and said: ''I have no problems, I feel great.

''I didn't have a full pre-season under my belt, but I feel good and have no problems getting through each game and finding that bit extra in the last 10 minutes. It's important to maintain what fitness you have at this stage of the season and continue to work to sharpen it up.

''There have been a lot of games this season and there are plenty more to come, but I'm enjoying it and we have a lot to play for.

''The physical side is no problem. I may not be the biggest player, but I am strong-willed and feel I have natural power which helps me.''

Larsson, meanwhile, admits he's been surprised by the high standard of football in this country. ''The Scottish game is okay,'' he said.

''To be honest, it is better than I expected. The nation has a lot of good players and that shows by the fact you almost always qualify for the World Cup finals.

''It's tough to compare Scotland to other leagues I've played in. For instance, Dutch football is much slower, but they have a good record in Europe in recent years, whereas the story in Scotland is the opposite.''

Times have changed for Larsson since his last visit to Easter Road. He made his debut as a substitute in their opening league game and made a nightmare start, giving possession away after only three minutes on the pitch to Chic Charnley, who scored Hibs' winner.

On current form, it is difficult to imagine Hibs repeating that success, particularly in the light of Celtic's recent good form and a win for the Parkhead side is the likely outcome in what is likely to be a close-fought match.

BOOKIES' VIEW: Hibernian - 11-2, Celtic - 1-2, draw - 13-5.