A Josh Campbell double saw Hibernian cause a major upset for a Celtic side still licking their wounds following a Champions League exit. Victory at Easter Road extending their unbeaten run to thirteen in all competitions.
Just over a minute and a half in, Josh Campbell stunned both sets of fans after his clever run between the Celtic defenders saw him take full advantage of a Nectar Triantis through ball to slide a finish past Kasper Schmeichel to open the scoring.
In a rip-roaring first half, there were seconds to go until the break as Campbell earned himself a brace, his header blasting past a helpless keeper that sent the crowd into elation after a lengthy VAR check.
However a defensive mishap for the home side allowed Celtic to muscle their way back into the game not long after the hour mark. Jordan Smith guilty along with his defenders of not clearing a simple ball as Daizen Maeda snuck in to pull a goal back for Brendan Rodgers’ men.
The clock winding down for full-time Hibernian looked as though they had blown a golden opportunity as Alistair Johnston fired home a leveller only to have the effort ruled out after it was found the ball had gone out of play.
Celtic were put in the unusual position of having to withstand pressure from a domestic opponent but Warren O’Hora almost had a goal of his own when he met Nicky Cadden’s corner by the front post but could only fire the shot wide.
Schmeichel was forced into action soon after as Keiron Bowie’s thunderous volley travelled towards him but the Dane was equal to it.
Preventing his side from going even further behind the Celtic shot stopper would deny Campbell a hat-trick with an excellent save to tip the midfielder’s header from a Martin Boyle free-kick over the bar.
His opposite number Jordan Smith was no stranger to the action, called to make an awkward block to keep out Luke McCowan’s floating cross before denying Alistair Johnston from an acute angle.
Producing arguably the best save of the day was none other than Rocky Bushiri, who continues to be a rock at the heart of this resurgent Hibs defence. Denying a weaving Jota what looked like a certain goal on the line.
Hibs mastering the defensive arts
Where once every cross or pass into the box looked certain to cause chaos amongst the backline. Hibs defenders now look assured against even the best sides in the league.
Rocky Bushiri has been arguably one of the Premiership best players in the past few months, commanding a defence that has conceded just four goals in seven from all competitions.
Throwing their bodies into everything, Bushiri and O’Hora celebrated tackles like goals as they held on the earn the side a six point cushion in the top half.
Credit too must go to those providing at the other end of the park, Josh Campbell’s double the difference but Keiron Bowie’s gradual return to action has given Martin Boyle another foil off which to work.
David Gray will hope they can repeat the trick as they travel to face Dundee United midweek.
Celtic off the boil as heartbreak bites
Despite the Rodgers being adamant that their, there is little doubt that the midweek exit has had an impact, be it mental or physical, on today’s result.
Perhaps more for the former as the Celtic players struggled to play through balls that would normally on a dime.
It did not help either that the three players brought in to help freshen things up in Idah, McCowan and Taylor were hauled off at half-time as the manager looked to create chances that were not forthcoming.
Yet for all the disappointment, Celtic will remain ten clear even if Rangers win and look set for a treble.
If only they didn’t have Hibs in the next round.
Line-ups:
Hibernian 2
Hibs: Smith, Iredale, Bushiri (Ekpiteta 78), O’Hora, N. Cadden, Triantis, Moriah-Welsh (Obita 73), Miller, Campbell, Bowie (Kuharevich 64), Boyle (c) (Hoilett 78) Unused subs: Bursik, Molotnikov, C. Cadden, Newell, Gayle
Booked: Bushiri, Campbell
Goals: Campbell (2), (45+4)
Celtic 1
Celtic: Schmeichel, Taylor (Schlupp 46), Trusty, Carter-Vickers, Johnston, McCowan (Hatate 46), McGregor (c), Engels, Maeda, Idah (Jota 46), Kühn Unused subs: Sinisalo, Bonnar, Kenny, Ralston, Scales, Yang Hyun-Jun
Booked: Taylor, Johnston
Goals: Maeda (69)
Attendance: 18,357