MOOD IN THE

after failing to catch the eye of Scotland coach Alex McLeish, Boyle drew a quality save out of Craig Gordon as he headed Efe Ambrose’s cross goalward. The technique and direction behind the header could not be faulted but was equalled by Gordon’s sharp reaction, which saw him throw out his left arm to turn the ball wide.

Boyle’s next chance ought to have been more naturally suited to his skillset but, given a run at the Celtic defence on the counter-attack he lacked conviction, eventually scooping his shot wide. And so the second half began with the promise of more from the visitors.

Goalkeeper Bogdan kept his team in it with a save at the feet of Sinclair before Kamberi, who’d now peeled on to Boyata, got himself a goal. It all started with some loose play from McGregor, who was dispossessed by Boyle, who in turn sent the ball on to Daryl Horgan. Boyata looked in control as Kamberi took possession on the left channel but the Swiss unleashed a thunderbolt high to Gordon’s left.

Lennon’s animation had provided amusement to the home supporters, who once idolised him and possibly will again, but there were no smiles from the former Hoops favourite as his team conceded ground almost immediately.

The focus of his ire was Milligan, who’d been pulled back into a defensive role before half-time to try and stem the flow. Whether it was fair to expect a 33-year-old to keep pace with arguably the quickest player in the Celtic team is debatable but the Aussie captain found himself on the wrong side of Forrest, who hit the byeline and cut the ball back

Edouard applied the simplest of finishes and Milligan was substituted to the sound of an earful from his manager.

Yet still Hibs came. In Boyle, the Leith club possess their own sprint specialist and he burrowed into a gap between Benkovic and Boyata to dink the ball over Gordon to make it 3-2.

Finally, Celtic achieved some comfort when Edouard struck again after some good work from McGregor, who was back in a more comfortable advanced role after the rare introduction of anchor Eboue Kouassi.

The French striker was denied his hat-trick when he again hit the post, this time via the fingertips of Bogdan.