Christie on target as Bhoys overcome limp Hibs

CELTIC accomplished a tidy night’s business at home to Hibernian when Ryan Christie’s opener was supplemented after the break by a deflected effort from Ollie Burke to maintain the leaders’ six-point advantage over Rangers.

The downside for Celtic was yet another injury concern, in this case to Emilio Izaguirre who was carried off after a late challenge by Hibs sub Darnell Johnson, who was booked for the Hondurans’ pains.

Before the match the trackside interviews proved unexpectedly diverting because of what might be called a snippet of news from Hibs interim manager, Eddie May, who disclosed that he had postponed a vasectomy, scheduled for earlier in the day, as a consequence of the obligation to take charge of the Easter Road side once again.

It would appear that May will have to defer the procedure a little longer, with Hibs unlikely to appoint a successor to Neil Lennon before the weekend.

It was a moot point whether he considered the inconvenience worth it by half-time, with Hibs trailing by a Christie strike and having been on the back foot for most of the opening 45 minutes.

That was no more than Celtic deserved, given their general control of possession, all the more impressive in view of a substantial casualty roster.

Odsonne Edouard, James Forrest, Kieran Tierney, Tom Rogic and Anthony Ralston have all been on the treatment table, while Kris Ajer was suspended, following his dismissal in the 2-0 victory over St Johnstone in Perth on Sunday. Midway through the first half, Toljan displayed his attacking capability when he broke into the Hibs box from the right for a cutback to Christie, who kept his cool and took a stride before trimming his finish across goalkeeper Ofir Marciano and inside the far post.

Against the waves of Celtic pressure, Hibs’ menace amounted to only a swiped effort wide from Mark Milligan and a foray into the box by Shaw that was halted by a timely interception by Boyata.

The outcome was assured midway through the second half when Christie turned provider for Burke to deliver a shot which took a looping deflection off Darren McGregor to swing beyond Marciano.

Celtic, however, finished the evening with the worry of seeing Izaguirre carried from the field after Johnson’s heavy touch and contact with the full-back. (© Daily Telegraph, London)