Sunday May 3rd 2026
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Ewan Hornell
Hibs fail to close the gap on Motherwell after another red card sees them fall to a 2-1 defeat to Celtic, as Kelechi Iheanacho stars off the bench and they move level on points with Hearts.
Media coverage this week has been dominated by suggestions that Hibs would be comfortable losing today -anything to help hinder Hearts chances at the title. David Gray dismissed these claims midweek, and they hold even less weight now after Motherwell’s defeat yesterday reopened the European window Hibs thought had slammed shut.
Despite their unconvincing performances, Celtic have reestablished themselves as Hearts’ primary challengers. A win today would take them level on points at the top and mount even more pressure on the tie at Tynecastle tomorrow evening.
Despite Gray’s confidence in his sides desire to win, the empty seats and flat home crowd were reflective of a fan base unbothered by today’s outcome.
It did not take long for Celtic to establish early control with slick passing passages that left Hibs nothing to do but chase shadows.
Yang and Tounekti on the Celtic wings were the focal point of their early offense. A clear game plan devised for them to operate in the open space left behind Hibs’ wingbacks.
And, it was Yang who manufactured Celtics first chance of the contest. The South Korean stepped in front of Jack Iredale catching him waiting on the ball and drove into the box He squared it to the oncoming Benjamin Nygren, who’s effort was only denied by a sliding Rocky Bushiri.
The away sides early supremacy was rewarded with a numerical advantage in the 21st minute as discipline issues once again plagued Hibs. Jamie McGrath was initially awarded a yellow card for a mistimed, sliding challenge on Alistair Johnston. But, after a VAR check the referees decision was upgraded to red – Hibs’ fourth in their last three games.
A man up and in complete control Celtic continued to threaten the Hibs backline.
In the 24th minute it was Yang once more creating havoc. He wrapped a pass from inside his own half around the Hibs defence, sending Daizen Maeda through on goal. However, the Japanese striker was wasteful with his strike, blasting it over the bar.
Not long after, Jamie Smith in the Hibs goal was forced into action, diving to his left to keep out Benjamin Nygren’s sweeping left footed strike.
Celtic finally made good on their first half dominance in the 43rd minute. Just like all their other positive first half play it stemmed from out wide but this time it was fullback Alistair Johnston at the crux of the move. Johnston played a series of sharp one twos, leaving him in behind the exposed Hibs backline. From there he was left with a simple task: square it across goal to the free Daizen Maeda for a simple tap in. And despite the goal initially being given offside, VAR deemed it legitimate and Celtic took the lead.
In over 45 minutes of first half play Hibs had not threatened once. But in a bizarre turn of events they found themselves level in first half stoppage time.
A deep Nicky Cadden cross was met with a looping header back across goal. Viljamii Sinisalo in the Celtic goal rushed out to try and get a fist to it. He was unable to find his way through a sea of bodies. The ball dropped to Hibs skipper, Joe Newell, who poked it into the net left empty by Sinisalo to make it 1-1.
The goal was subject to two VAR checks – passing both. A controversial call after the ball appeared to have struck Newell’s hand in the build-up.
So, despite being second best in the first half Hibs entered half time level.
Celtic began the second half with the same possessional authority of the first.
Even with wave after wave of attacks, the ten-man Hibs defensive shell did its upmost to remain resolute, denying the away side any significant possibilities of a chance at goal.
But, with so many shirts behind the ball Hibs had no attacking outlet. Owen Elding was left isolated up front with the thankless task of chasing lost causes and trying to fend of a swarm of Celtic shirts anytime he touched the ball.
Another Celtic goal seemed inevitable but with the clock ticking down Martin O’Neill turned to his bench to try and break the deadlock and just like he did in the Scottish Cup Semi Final, Kelechi Iheanacho had the answers.
Iheanacho was the most composed player on the pitch, calmy letting the ball spiral down from his chest and slotting it home with a left footed finish to put Celtic back in front.
Hibs nearly found another unexpected equaliser late but, Ante Suto’s volley in the 89th minute flashed into the side netting and behind for a goal kick.
Here’s what David Gray had to say about another red card, his side’s defeat and the challenging prospect of catching Motherwell with only three games remaining:
‘I can’t defend the red card. There is no malice in it, it is not intentional but its definite red card.
‘I spoke about all week about giving yourself the best possible chance to win but to do that you need to keep all eleven players on the pitch.
‘I can’t criticise the players that remained on the pitch because they gave everything.
‘We changed shape at halftime and made a couple of changes, if you stay in a back four they’ll put you in a back five and even a back six very quickly, and I thought that worked very well and nullified Celtic to shots from distance.
‘The bit that frustrates me is the two goals we lose are avoidable with ten-men.
‘We are aware of the challenge that faces us, we are back in a situation were we are relying on Motherwell to drop points for us to catch them and we will probably need three wins.’
All attention now turns to a massive away fixture for Hibs next week as they travel to Falkirk who now only sit two points behind them. Whilst Hibs’ focus may still be on catching Motherwell the Bairns are breathing awfully close down their necks.
Tweet Share on Facebook
