Celtic’s perfect league form under interim manager Martin O’Neill continued as two first-half goals from Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels added a rare win at Easter Road to close the gap on league leaders Hearts to two points with a game in hand.
O’Neill’s side were fresh off a Thursday night comeback away to Feyenoord in European action, while Hibernian were still licking their wounds from a two-goal defeat to Motherwell earlier in the week.
While the game started with end-to-end action, the opportunities came first for Hibs, whose missed chance on goal in the early minutes highlighted their performance on the day.
Although a Daizen Maeda tap-in on the tenth minute would be ruled offside, the first half would prove to be in Hibs’ favour until two goals in 33 seconds would see the visiting Glasgow side go ahead as they took their chances to win, as noted by Celtic captain Callum McGregor, who said: “That’s the pressure of this club. You have to win. That is the demand.”
Hibernian keeper Raphael Sallinger’s poor attempt to play out from the back enabled Reo Hatate to steal possession, close to a tumbling Miguel Chaiwa, as he played a short but precise pass to the waiting Maeda, who rolled the ball into the open goal.
With no time to recover, Hibs would then see their opponents double their tally as a brave header by Arne Engels from Hyun-Jun Yang’s cross would put Celtic two goals ahead.
Unfortunately for Engels, he received a Jamie McGrath boot to the face as his reward, as Celtic went into the break two goals to the good.
As the sides came out for the second half, the Celtic captain’s mindset to win was held for the remaining 45 minutes of the game.
A Liam Scales handball would see Hibs pull a goal back as Martin Boyle scored the penalty, allowing the Edinburgh side to fight back.
Pressing the opportunity, Joe Newell put Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel to several saves, as well as a close chance at the end of the game from Chris Cadden that would have surely delivered a consolation point were it not for Schmeichel denying Hibernian anything from the encounter.
Speaking of his disappointment at the result, Hibernian head coach David Gray said: “I think we needed half-time as Celtic were in the ascendancy. We got spooked a little bit by that, but then in the second half, I thought we had a good reaction.
“Once we got the goal, there was only one team that was going to go and score the next one. We definitely deserved to get something out of the game.”
The interim Celtic manager Martin O’Neill said: “We played some great stuff.
“Hibs came roaring back, got the penalty we’re on the back foot, but we dug it out – that’s the important thing.”
O’Neill went on to clarify the situation with the incoming manager, Wilfried Nancy, having expected the game against Hibernian to be his last in charge.
O’Neill said: “It was a bit strange. I only found out yesterday, but I genuinely thought this was my last game.
“The board have made their decision on [the appointment], and it’s only fair to him to come in and get his feet under the table, look at the side, and he’s got some really great games to look forward to.”
Martin O’Neill is expected to take charge of his final game as Celtic’s interim manager against Dundee on Wednesday, who came back from a goal down to beat St Mirren 3-1 on Saturday.
Hibernian will be forced to wait until Saturday to face Falkirk, who held Rangers to a goalless draw at Ibrox on Sunday evening’s kick-off.
Full Time: Hibernian 1 – 2 Celtic
Scorers: Hibernian – Martin Boyle (56’ pen) | Celtic – Daizen Maeda (27’), Arne Engels (28’)
