The bhoys are set to enjoy yet another day out at Hampden as Maeda and Idah fire home to end Hibs’ impressive 15-game unbeaten run in the Scottish Cup Quarter Final tie at Celtic Park today.

The game marked Brendan Rodgers’ 20th win from 20 in this competition and maintains their attempt at another domestic treble. It also marked the highest away attendance in domestic action at Celtic Park since 2018!

First Half

The first half kicked off and from the outset it was clear the home side were bruised from the result in the capital two weeks ago and were out to prove a point.

In the opening ten minutes, it was all Celtic with the away side weathering the storm of constant pressure from Celtic’s channels. Nicolas Kuhn and Jeffrey Schluup causing problems for Hibs backline with balls over the top and in behind the Hibs defence. A smile from Hibs manager David Gray shows he expected this response from the Glasgow side.

The best chance for the away side came in the 17th minute when a quick thrown in was taken and Keiron Bowie fired a shot towards the stopper Schmeichel. The Goalkeeper was furious at the linesman as he believed the throw-in taken from the wrong place.

The home side were relentless in their attack with the away side throwing constant bodies at shots from outside the box, to the applause of the traveling support.

In the 34th minute Hibs were dealt a huge blow as their most in-form player Nicky Cadden went off with a suspected hamstring injury. Just five minutes later, the deadlock was broken by Celtic’s talisman Daizen Maeda with his 27th goal of the season. A ball was fired into the box from Schluup, which was not dealt with by the Hibs defence.

A shot from Kuhn was saved by Smith but then fell to the feet of the Japanese International who tapped it home from two yards out. The first half ended with a rocket of a shot from Reo Hatate saved by Smith again.

Second Half

The second half began the way the first half ended with the home side quick to move the ball up the park, signifying a long second half for the travelling side.

By the hour mark, Hibs had not offered much with Celtic controlling the ball. Chances came and went for the home side with the Hibs defence dropping deeper and deeper.

Despite all the pressure from Celtic, they still only had a one-goal advantage. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers knew this, which is why he did not make his usual hour mark substitutions knowing fine well the game was not won.

Hibs opted for a change in tactics as they began playing long balls in the hope they could catch the Celtic defense high up the pitch. As we entered the final 20 minutes of the game, Celtic’s strangle hold on the game wasn’t as prevalent as it was in the first hour, with the home side not being able to finish the game off with the chances they’d had along with the away side growing into the game.

Both sides’ energy levels showed around the 75th minute as both managers opted for changes in personnel on the pitch. The togetherness of the Hibs team and supporters was demonstrated in the 78th minute when you could hear the 7,000 strong out-singing  the Parkhead side.

The depth in Celtic’s bench was demonstrated as all substitutions connected to score the winning goal in stoppage time. A nice pair of exchanged passes between McCowan and Yang allowed the ball to be played right into the path of Adam Idah, giving his manager something to think about for next weekend’s Old Firm Derby.

Full Time

The Final whistle blew and the game ended 2-0 to the current holders of the Scottish Cup as they make their way through to their 82nd semi-final.

They join Aberdeen and Hearts in the next round as Brendan Rodgers maintains his 100% record in the competition. Rodgers spoke to the difficulty of this game and said, “We had to be the real Celtic today”.

For the Leith side, their 15-game unbeaten run comes to an end at the hands of a controlled Celtic side. The players applauded the travelling support who remained loud throughout the match.

On this, the opposing manager said “The Hibs supporters were fantastic today and that’s what we all want to see, it creates atmosphere”.

Manager David Gray admits his disappointment and gives his players and fans plaudits but felt the best team won today. Their eyes will cast themselves back to league action as they aim to maintain their place in the league.

Celtic now look to a fixture that is marked in every fan’s calendar as they face Rangers next Sunday.