Full Time: Hibernian 2-2 Celtic
Celtic survived a huge scare to their unbeaten run in the domestic competitions, as they managed to get away with a 2-2 draw away against Hibernian, on Sunday.
It took an hour for the Hoops to break down the home side when Scott Sinclair tapped home a rebound after striker Odsonne Edouard had hit the post in the 59th minute. And five minutes later, the Englishman doubled his and his side’s tally for the day, with a fiercely struck effort cutting in from the left, via a deflection from former Celtic man Efe Ambrose.
The Hibs did manage to pull one back in the 76th minute, with Ambrose finding the net against his former employers. With ten minutes left to play, they were back on level terms through 19-year old Oli Shaw, after some fine work by Anthony Stokes. It was end-to-end stuff from thereon, with both sides pressing hard for a winner and the hosts came ever so close to scoring in the last minute, but the Hoops survived and came away with a point.
The result means Celtic extend their unbeaten record to an unprecedented 68 games. They have now opened up a 5-point lead over second-placed Rangers, with an extra game in hand. Here’s how we rate the performances of the Bhoys’ stars on the afternoon.
Celtic Player Ratings
Craig Gordon – 5/10
Not a lot he could do about the opener but should have done better in handling the second goal. Almost cost his team the game in the final minute, when he spilled the ball in the box. Unconvincing.
Mikael Lustig – 5/10
Was sloppy defensively at times, especially for the second goal, when he allowed Stokes to play a pass past him with ease. Saved the point with a goal-line clearance after Gordon’s spill though.
Jozo Simunovic – 5/10
Not at his best by far. Allowed Shaw to get past him and have a go at the goal for the second, way too easily.
Dedryck Boyata – 5/10
The Belgian too had a poor game defensively. Kept giving the ball away and invited pressure on a lot of occasions. Missed a great chance to make it 3-2, heading over the bar.
Kieran Tierney – 5.5/10
Wasn’t troubled all that much at the back, but his attacking play wasn’t up to his usual level either. A fairly subdued display.
Scott Brown – 6/10
Assigned to mark John McGinn, the captained fared pretty well early on but the young midfielder had Brown’s beating for most parts after the break.
Olivier Ntcham – 6.5/10
One of Celtic’s better players on the day. Kept things ticking each time he got on the ball and worked hard defensively as well.
James Forrest – 6/10
Should have opened the scoring in the first period when he found himself in a one-on-one situation. Troubled the Hibs defence occasionally.
Callum McGregor – 6.5/10
Had a fairly decent outing, as he found spaces in the midfield to exploit. Got the assist for Sinclair’s second goal.
Scott Sinclair – 7.5/10
Poor for the first sixty minutes but burst into life afterwards, scoring the first two goals for the Hoops, before seeing a strike be ruled out for offside.
Odsonne Edouard – 6/10
Did not have a clear-cut attempt at goal but did his duties well. Held up the ball nicely and kept the Hibs defence occupied with his smart runs.
Substitutes
Moussa Dembele – 5/10
On for Edouard for the final twenty minutes. Had a shot saved.
Jonny Hayes – N/A
Replaced Forrest with ten minutes left to play. No impact.
Stuart Armstrong – N/A
Came on for Ntcham in the 86th minute. Did little of note, apart from a dangerous free-kick.
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