Hibs long unbeaten run came to an end against Celtic at Parkhead this afternoon.
Despite a brave performance, the Edinburgh side can have no complaints about the result as Celtic demonstrated why they are champions.
Hibs head coach David Gray made one change the starting line-up that beat Hearts last weekend with Lewis Miller replacing Warren O’Hora in the back three.
Martin Boyle captained the side in Joe Newell’s absence.
Brendan Rodgers also made one change to the side that beat St Mirren 5-2 last week.
Adam Idah dropped to the bench, with Jota coming into the front three.
Hibs, backed by more than 7,000 fans wore their 3rd strip of purple and green stripes and started on the front foot.
But the first chance fell to Celtic when skipper Callum McGregor let fly from 20-yards. Jordan Smith who yesterday signed a contract extension got down sharply to his left to make a superb save.
Celtic then dominated possession winning a number of corners which the Hibs defence dealt with.
At the other end, Kieron Bowie almost gave Hibs the lead against the run of play but Kasper Schmeichel produce a tremendous save.
Jack Iredale was harshly shown a yellow card for handball although it was clearly accidental.
Moments later Josh Campbell joined in the book for a trip on out Alistair Johnston although his was deserved.
In the 33rd minute Nicky Cadden required treatment after picking up a knock and was replaced by Jordan Obita.
Daizen Maeda was picked out by Reo Hatate , but the Japan forward blazed over the top under pressure from Rocky Bushiri.
Celtic’s pressure finally paid off in the 38th minute when Nicolas Kuhn’s shot was well saved by Smith, but Maeda followed it in and fired home from close range.
The hosts tried to add another before the break and Smith produced an acrobatic save to deny Hatate’s long range effort which looked bound for the top corner.
In added time Josh Campbell broke clear for Hibs and tried a cross field ball to Boyle but his pass was intercepted.
Shortly after the restart Nectar Triantis was booked for a challenge from the back on Hatate. A VAR check was made to see whether it should be a red,
Smith then did well to save a Jota strike.
Iredale produced a wonderful last ditch tackle to deny Nicolas Kuhn.
At the other end Triantis had a shot from the edge of the area blocked.
On the hour mark Celtic should have doubled their advantage but Maeda knocked Johnston’s cross wide with the goal gaping.
Bowie and Nathan Moriah-Welsh were replaced in the 63rd minute by Dwight Gayle and Dylan Levitt.
Jeffrey Schlupp almost grabbed a second but his powerful effort flew inches wide.
With 14-minutes remaining Hyun-jun Yang and Luke McCowan replaced Jota and McGregor.
Moments later Junior Hoilett and Elie Youan replaced Boyle and Campbell.
They break into space through Elie Youan and Junior Hoilett, but the Canada international overhits his attempted pass to Dwight Gayle and the chance is gone.
Schlupp was booked for a foul on Chris Cadden as Hibs pressed for an equaliser.
In the last minute Yang should have finished this game off, but he sliced his shot wide.
Five minutes of added time was displayed and in the 91st minute a poor Obita clearance found Luke McCowan who got to the byeline and pulled the ball back to Adam Idah, who made no mistake from close range.
Celtic continued to press forward and Smith did well to save from McCowan then Maeda.
Celtic: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Schlupp; Engels, McGregor (c), Hatate; Kuhn, Maeda, Jota.
Subs: Sinisalo (GK), Taylor, Idah, Yang, McCowan, Kenny, Murray, Ralston.
Hibs:Smith; Miller, Bushiri, Iredale; C Cadden, Triantis, Campbell, Moriah-Welsh, N Cadden; Boyle (c), Bowie.
Subs: Bursik (GK), O’Hora, Levitt, Youan, Obita, Hoiilett, Gayle, Kuharevich.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
