Celtic cut the gap on Hearts at the top of the table as they seen out a 2-1 win away to Hibernian at Easter Road.
The champions survived periods of sustained pressure from a fired up Hibs side, who will leave feeling aggrieved that they haven’t taken at least a point from today’s game at a venue which has not been the happiest of hunting grounds in recent years for Celtic.
The win makes it six wins from seven games for Martin O’Neill, who said pre-match that there is a possibility he remains in the dugout for Wednesday’s match at home to Dundee.
A first-half double salvo from Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels put Celtic ahead at the break, with Australian Martin Boyle converting a penalty to revive any Hibee hopes of a result in the second half.
Hibs started the game as the better side but it was Celtic who created most. Daizen Maeda tapped the ball into an empty net 11 minutes in, but his provider Hyun-Jun Yang was offside in the build up.
Just one minute later, the home side had a glaring opportunity to take the lead. Nicky Cadden whipped a daring cross in from the left, but Martin Boyle could only knock it wide of Kasper Schmeichel’s right post amid pressure from Marcelo Saracchi.
Maeda would tap the ball into an empty net once again 27 minutes in, and this time it counted. A poor pass out from Hibees goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger to Miguel Chaiwa was pounced upon by Reo Hatate, and Celtic’s two Japanese internationals linked up to put the Hoops in the driving seat.
Then only 93 seconds later, the visitors doubled their advantage. Yang dipped a ball in from left wing just outside the penalty area, and midfielder Arne Engels got his head on in to nod home and injured himself in the process.
Uruguayan left-back Marcelo Saracchi almost made it three on the cusp of half-time. Maeda back heeled the ball into his path, but his effort cannoned off of the post.
Hibs clawed one back ten minutes into the second period. Nick Walsh was called over to the VAR monitor and awarded the Edinburgh side a penalty for a Liam Scales handball. Captain Martin Boyle stepped up, and slotted the ball into the bottom right as Kasper Schmeichel stayed standing.
There were calls for a Celtic penalty with 22 minutes left to play when winger Yang and Hibs’ Rocky Bushiri’s heads collided following a deflected Kieran Tierney cross, however these claims were quickly waved away from Walsh.
A late chance for Hibs went begging with just five minutes of normal time to play. Kieron Bowie got the better of Auston Trusty and fired a low ball into the box. Chris Cadden done everything right to keep his effort goal bound, but Schmeichel’s extended leg denied the hosts an equaliser.
Today’s result means that Celtic have cut the gap on league leaders Hearts to just two points with one game played less than the Jambos. Both sides meet next Sunday after midweek action on Wednesday with Celtic at home to Dundee, and Hearts hosting Kilmarnock
As for Hibs, they return to Easter Road on Saturday to face Falkirk, after losing at home for only the second time in 19 league matches.
HIBERNIAN: Sallinger 5, O’Hora 5, Bowie 6, Boyle 6 (Youan 79’ 1), C Cadden 5, Chaiwa 4(Newell 79’ 1), McGrath 6, N Cadden 2 (Iredale 38’ 5), Mulligan 5 (Barlaser 79’ 1), Obita 6 (Campbell 66’ 3), Bushiri 6
CELTIC: Schmeichel 7, Scales 5, Trusty 6, Yang 6, McCowan 5c(Nygren 63’ 3), Engels 5, Saracchi 5 (Tierney 63’ 3), Maeda 6, Hatate 6, McGregor 6, Donovan 3(Ralston 46’ 4)
