Party poopers
Scorer Jamie Maclaren and John Mcginn celebrate Hibs’ opener against Celtic at Easter Road.
HIBS 2
Maclaren (24), Slivka (80)
CELTIC 1
Edouard (87)
The conspiracy theorists were left hailing their ability to predict the future last night after Celtic slid to only their third Premiership defeat of the season.
A scenario which threw up the possibility a Hoops defeat at Easter Road could engineer a potential title win over Rangers at Celtic Park was always likely to provide cynics with fueltomakeboldclaimsofanupset here.
And not even the fact Hibs 100% deserved the victory given them by an excellent, high-tempo, pressing game, is likely to completely convince those doubters the result wasn’t affected by a shady agenda.
It was, of course, only the first part of the sequence of events landed. Aberdeen’s victory against Kilmarnock ensured the title race remains on life support.
If Rangers lose to Hearts today and the Jambos then also beat Aberdeen on Friday, Celtic will be champions without kicking a ball.
What was certain here was that with a championship there for the winning, the visitors, clad in cerise so as not to clash with their hosts, were definitely off colour.
Huge credit to Hibs though. They provided a cracking atmosphere – at kick-off Easter Road was fairly crackling with anticipation – and the best of the football in a game which got off to breathless start and remained gripping until the end.
Florian Kamberi, one of the best on show, gave a warning of the danger to come with a clever dart in on goal which had Hoops keeper Craig Gordon dashing off his line to block with his body.
At the other end Ofir Marciano showed his sharpness with a double block from first Tom Rogic and then Leigh Griffiths.
So open was the game, it looked only a matter of time before someone scored and it was Hibs who grabbed the advantage.
Gordon’s misplaced pass out let Lewis Stevenson in down the left and the long-serving defender sent over a beauty of a low cross that gave Jamie Maclaren a tap-in.
Shortly after, a crazy deflection off Dedryck Boyata would have made it 2-0 but for the reflexes of Scotland international Gordon.
It was an uncharacteristically disjointed display from the champions-elect which, in fairness,
had a lot to do with Hibs.
Neil Lennon sent his side out to harry Celtic high up the pitch and there was no question the tactic unsettled their young defence with Boyata, Kristoffer Ajer and Jack Hendry seemingly taking turns to look a jittery.
A change then, was called for, and it arrived at the interval when Olivier Ntcham made way for Scott Sinclair.
The Frenchman had been struggling in the first half after picking up a knock so was the obvious choice.
That left a few fortunate to still be involved, for a little while at least, with Griffiths and a subdued James Forrest both departing after the hour to allow for the introduction of Odsonne Edouard and Partick Roberts.
Still it was Hibs who were the brightest with the Swiss Kamberi regularly running through the backline as if they weren’t there. And it was to be one of Lennon’s changes, Maclaren for Vykintas Slivka, which proved decisive with the one-time Juventus man supplying a terrific angled downward header to Kamberi’s
whipped cross in from the right to make it 2-0.
From start to finish it was a tremendous goal and one which had Lennon dancing on the sidelines.
“This is so funny,” sang the Hibs fans at the travelling support.
Only briefly though with Eduoard’s counter, a tidy finish from inside the box, putting the celebrations on pause until the final whistle.
For Celtic followers the wait for seven-in-a-row continues.
Given it was an achievement they last managed 46 years ago a few more days – at worst – should not prove a huge inconvenience with Brendan Rodgers’ reiteration of his happiness at his current home providing extra comfort on a losing day.
Celtic winger James Forrest made the players’ feelings clear when he said: “Nobody wants the gaffer to go.
“He has been incredible since he’s come in, with what he has done for the club.
“You don’t get linked with a job the size of Arsenal unless you are doing well. “Butwewanthimtostayhereand push on. Hopefully that happens.”