Hibs suffered back to back home league defeats for the first time in almost two years after losing 2-1 to Celtic at Easter Road this afternoon.
But any suggestion that they would ‘lie down’ to Celtic to help them catch Hearts at the top of the table were dispelled by a brave performance in front of a disappointing crowd as many season ticket holders stayed away.
David Gray made four changes following last week’s derby defeat with Jordan Smith returning to the starting XI for the first time in 232 days replacing Raphael Sallinger who is suspended following his red card. Youngster Freddie Owens took his place on the bench.
Kanayo Megwa replaced the suspended Felix Passlack, captain Joe Newell replaced Dan Barlaser in midfield, while Jack Iredale was preferred to Jordan Obita at left centre-back.
Martin O’Neil made two changes. Alistair Johnston made his fir start since October taking over from Anthony Ralston, with Tunisia winger Sebastian Tounekti preferred to James Forrest.
The last time Hibs beat Celtic back-to-back in the same league campaign was way back in 1950-51.
The first chance fell to Celtic when Iredale was dispossessed by Daizen Maeda.
He found Yang Hyun-Jun who cut the ball back to Benjamin Nygren, but the Swede’s shot was blocked by a sliding Rocky Bushiri.
Maeda then beat the offside trap but his first touch let him down and his strike flew over the bar.
Liam Scales was next to try his luck from long range but his effort was also off target.
In the 20th minute Jamie McGrath was shown a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Alistair Johnston. A VAR check however sent the referee to the monitor and the card was upgraded to red.
Moments later Maeda latched onto a through ball from Yang again his angled shot slides wide by a foot or so.
Benjamin Nygren tried his luck from the edge of the area but Smith produced a fine diving save.
Auston Trusty tested Smith then Callum McGregor fired high over the bar.
After dominating throughout Celtic took the lead in the minute.
A neat one-two between Johnston and Yang cut the Hibs defence wide open and Maeda knocked the ball into the empty net from Johnston’s cross.
Assistant referee Douglas Ross raised his flag but after a VAR check the goal was given.
Then just before the break Joe Newell equalised after a mistake by Celtic keeper Viljami Sinisalo.
The replay showed the ball struck Newell’s arm then wrist in the build-up but after another lengthy VAR check the goal was given and both teams left the field on equal terms.
Gray made two changes at the break with Martin Boyle and Nicky Cadden making way with Jordan Obita and Josh Campbell.
Five minutes after the restart Smith saved a long range effort from McGregor as Celtic continued to press forward.
On the hour mark James Forrest and Luke McCowan replaced Johnston and Tounekti.
Tierney then tested Smith but the Hibs keeper was up to the task.
Kelechi Iheanacho replaced Yang in the 68th minute and made an immediate impact.
An Arne Engels corner was flicked into Iheanacho’s path and the substitute controlled the ball on his chest before steering in a composed finished.
Goalscorer Newell was replaced by Dan Barlaser and Anthony Ralston took over from Nygren.
With seven minutes remaining Gray tried a last throw of the dice with Dane Scarlett and Ante Suto replacing Iredale and Owen Elding.
Scarlett fired wide within a minute of coming on then Suto was inches away from equalising in the 87th minute.
Hibs tried their best to level the score but it was not to be and both McGowan and Engles were booked for time wasting in the dying minutes as the Hoops held on to take the three points.
Hibs: Smith, Megwa, O’Hora, Bushiri, Iredale, Nicky Cadden, Chaiwa, Newell (C), McGrath, Boyle, Elding
Subs: Owens (GK), Manneh, Chris Cadden, Obita, Barlaser, Andrews, Campbell, Scarlett, Šuto
Celtic : Sinisalo, Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Tierney, McGregor (C), Engels, Nygren, Yang, Maeda, Tounekti
Subs: Doohan (GK), Saracchi, Ralston, Murray, McCowan, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Hatate, Forrest, Iheanacho
