Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
OLI SMOKES AS HOOPS KEEP A SIX POINT GAP
CELTIC showed their strength in depth with a routine 2-0 win over Hibs in their Premiership clash at Parkhead.
Boss Brendan Rodgers had a team of players unavailable – mostly through injuries – which had left his squad stretched but they were still too strong for the visitors and led at the interval by midfielder Ryan Christie’s 24th-minute drive.
Oliver Burke, on loan from West Brom, doubled the home side’s lead in the 64th minute with a deflected shot for what was a solid more than sparkling win.
Rangers’ 4-2 win at Aberdeen means leaders Celtic maintain their six-point lead over their Old Firm rivals as they continue an impressive run of form, having won all six matches since the turn of the year without conceding a goal.
The visitors showed some early intent but Celtic’s pressure began to slowly build and in the 14th minute Christie came close with a range-finding drive from the edge of the box.
Hibs keeper Ofir Marciano then had to be quick off his line to block a closerange effort from Weah, who had latched on to a pass from midfielder Callum Mcgregor.
The impending opener came when Christie took a pass from Jeremy Toljan inside the penalty area and quickly fired a right-footed drive low past Marciano for his third goal in four games.
Hibs became increasingly ragged and Marciano parried another Weah shot, this time from 20 yards, as the home side threatened once more.
The second goal had an air on inevitability about it and it was Burke who raced into the box to take a clever Christie pass with his drive hitting Hibs defender Darren Mcgregor and looping over
Marciano.
Bayo was ready to make his debut but as he stood on the sidelines, left-back
Emilio
Izaguirre was crocked by a fierce tackle by Johnson, who was booked by referee Craig Thomson.
Jonny Hayes came on for the Honduras international who was carried up tunnel on a stretcher.