MURPHY DELIVERS MESSAGE TO CELTS
On-loan Jamie does Hibs and his Rangers pals a big favour
The final whistle had barely sounded at Easter Road when Jamie Murphy’s phone started pinging.
Delighted Rangers pals were already sending texts after his goal and assist for Hibs put another dent in Celtic’s title challenge at Easter Road.
Murphy, who is on loan from Ibrox, inflicted more pain on Neil Lennon’s side who dropped another two points.
That means Gers can go 11 clear of their Old Firm rivals – and take a huge step towards stopping 10-in-a-row – if they beat Aberdeen today.
Murphy isn’t worried about that, though. His only concern is helping Jack Ross’ men stay near the top of the table.
His rebound from Kevin Nisbet’s saved penalty put them in front – before he set up Nisbet to make it 2- 0.
Celtic fought back to earn a draw thanks to Odsonne Edouard’s spot kick and Diego Laxalt’s injurytime leveller.
But the story of the day was Murphy doing his parent club a massive favour. He said: “I’ve had one or two texts already from Rangers boys.
“But that doesn’t come into my thinking now. I’m a Hibs player, I’m going to be here next year and look forward to signing on permanently.
“It’s all about Hibs for me now, getting goals and assists.
“It was disappointing to put all that work in against a good side but concede a goal in the last minute.
“I was delighted with my goal. Sometimes you have to gamble on a penalty, I swung the left foot at it and it managed to go in.
“It was my first goal for Hibs at Easter Road in a big game so hopefully there are a few more to come.”
Murphy is thriving in Leith and after coming back from injury at Ibrox last term now feels he’s ready to hit peak form again. The winger said: “I feel I’m getting back to my best. I’ve still got a bit to go but I’m back enjoying it ”
Both gaffers had Covid concerns going into this off the back of a international break, especially after the Scotland Under-21 cases which emerged yesterday.
David Turnbul l wouldn’t have started for Celtic but boss Neil Lennon didn’t even have him for the bench after a positive test.
The Hoops gaffer would have loved to give Scotland stars Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie a rest, but such was the importance of this game, they were never going to miss out.
And after his exertions with France’s Under-21 side, star striker Edouard was only a sub with Albian Ajeti given the nod up front.
Turnbull’s Scots team-mate Ryan
Porteous was cleared to play for Hibs, which must have been a relief for Ross.
With key front- man Christian Doidge absent with an ankle injury, there was a change of shape for Hibs, with only Nisbet up top.
Celtic tried to go for the jugular early on, but Hibs weathered that and settled into the game.
Either Stevie Mallan or Joe Newell got closer to Nisbet, while trying to use the pace of wide men Martin Boyle and Murphy on the flanks.
The game was full of intrigue, if not goalmouth incidents. In fact, 36 minutes had gone by before the first serious attempts – and it was no surprise to see Christie involved after his heroics for his country.
Playing off the right, he was given licence to roam infield and he tested Ofir Marciano – who kept him out for Israel in midweek – from long range.
If that was a comfortable enough stop for the Hibs keeper, his next one required far more agility.
Christie again cut inside and curled
a shot that was heading for the top corner before Marciano clawed it wide.
Celtic emerged for the second half with the bit between their teeth – knowing three points were vital in the context of the title race.
Christie had yet another sighter from 25 yards that stung the palms of Marciano, but just as they were building up a head of steam they fell behind.
Skipper Scott Brown needlessly barged Boyle on the corner of the box and referee Bobby Madden pointed to the spot.
Nisbet, who missed a penalty in the Scottish Cup semi- f inal defeat to Hearts, stepped up again.
This time Scott Bain denied him but fortunately for the striker, Murphy was following up and steered the rebound into the bottom corner.
Lennon had to take action and almost immediately called Edouard from his warm-up before throwing him on in place of Ajeti.
But the Frenchman was barely on the pitch by the time Hibs got themselves two in front.
Celtic full-back Jeremie Frimpong allowed Murphy to win a header that sent Nisbet clear in the box.
The Hibees top scorerer made no mistake with his finish ass his shot flew past Bain and in off the post.
Lennon and his playersyers were in danger of conceding even more ground at the top of the Premiershipship table.
But the more they huntedted for a goal, the more vulnerable theyey looked at the back.
Hibs got in again when hen Nisbet’s shot deflected over ver – then Porteous nodded a free header over the bar r from a corner.
Edouard finally burst t into life with 20 minutes left, drilling a low shot that Marciano had to keep out.
Lennon had to throw the dice so went to a back three, with Shane
Duffy replacing Brown, and Leigh Griffiths on up top.
The strike pair linked up almost instantly with a neat one-two on the edge of the box but Marciano pulled off another ccracking save to thwart Edouard.
But the Israeli couldc do little to prevent the FrenchmFrenchman making it 2-1.
Paul McGinn got ccaught under the ball in the box and it caught his hand – resulting in MaddeMadden giving Lennon’s side a penalty.
Edouard stepped up to bury it – his first Hoops goal sincesin September 12 – and give Celts the impetus to go on and take somethingsomethin from the game.
And they duly didd in injury time. Laxalt popped up to lash home an equaliser after HibsHib had failed to properly clear a GriffithsGriffi free-kick. Yet incredibly, the home team still hadha a chance to win it at the death – but f u l l- back Sean MackieM fired over fromfro close range.