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00:00:30Billy McNeil holding the cup for Celtic.
00:00:34It is sensational!
00:00:42Celtic are the champions!
00:01:00Yes, Leith is bathed in winter sunshine this afternoon for the arrival of the boys.
00:01:11Celtic are in the capital.
00:01:13Martin O'Neill leading the side once more and what a job the man is doing.
00:01:20But this will be a tough one this afternoon as the players arrived a short time ago.
00:01:24Focused after a wonderful performance away to Feyenoord in the Europa League in Rotterdam.
00:01:29Getting a famous 3-1 win.
00:01:30All the attention now falls back on domestic matters.
00:01:34With Hearts dropping points yesterday.
00:01:36Another chance for Celtic to close the gap.
00:01:39On the other Edinburgh side at the top of the league.
00:01:44It is an interesting 90 minutes of football ahead.
00:01:48And you can watch all of the action outside the UK and Ireland here on Celtic TV.
00:01:53You can listen to our live commentary if you're inside the UK and Ireland.
00:01:57I am joined here by Simon Donnelly.
00:01:59Former Celtic striker.
00:02:01Simon, it's a huge game.
00:02:03I know every game is important but it's about keeping that momentum going and what a boost that result in Europe has given these boys.
00:02:11Yeah, they must be buoyant after midweek's exploits over in Rotterdam, Gerry.
00:02:16They were first class.
00:02:17It was one of the best European performances in a long time from Celtic.
00:02:22So they must take huge confidence from that getting into this game today.
00:02:26But as you say, it's back to domestic duties.
00:02:29We're still not quite back to the top of that table.
00:02:31And the boys will be trying to get back there as quick as possible.
00:02:33It's another big three points.
00:02:35Let's have a look at the starting 11 that Martin O'Neill has gone with.
00:02:39Just one change to decide that beat Feyenoord over in Rotterdam.
00:02:43It is Kasper Schmeichel in goal.
00:02:44A back four of Colby Donovan, Austin trustee, Liam Scholes.
00:02:48And Marcelo Saracci who comes in for Kieran Tierney.
00:02:51Apart from that, it's as you were in the middle of the park.
00:02:53Callum McGregor, Arne Engels and Rio Hattati who were all outstanding over in Rotterdam.
00:03:00We have got Luke McCown and Yang on the wide areas and Dyson Maeda through the middle.
00:03:07On the bench Sinisalo, Negrin who came on, scored that third goal.
00:03:10Balakweisha, Tenekty, Kenny, Bernardo, Murray, Ralston and Tierney.
00:03:16We'll hear from the manager Martin O'Neill shortly.
00:03:20Simon, just your thoughts on that?
00:03:22Just the one change?
00:03:23Yeah, and listen, maybe Kieran's picked up a little niggle, I'm not sure.
00:03:29But I think the guys that are in the jersey deserve to go again after the performances the other night.
00:03:33I thought the two wide boys the other night were excellent.
00:03:36It was a really inspired choice because, you know, eyebrows might have been raised a little bit.
00:03:42Luke McCown came on, played in that situation at St Mirren last weekend.
00:03:46But I thought he's not a natural wide player but when he gets into that final third, his use of the balls, we've seen it, the first goal was very profitable.
00:03:58And Yang, another flank with his pace, I think it was really two really good decisions by the manager and the coaching staff because he got us up the pitch as well.
00:04:09Obviously, he gets himself on the end of the equaliser as well but I thought those two guys, the team were great, there wasn't a failure in the XI but I thought those two really put in two top performances.
00:04:19Before we look back on that memorable night in Rotterdam, let's hear from Celtic's interim manager Martin O'Neill a short time ago here at Eastern Road.
00:04:27He spoke to Matthew Campbell.
00:04:28Martin, a few days on from a wonderful result away in Europe.
00:04:32First of all, I just wanted to ask you, what's the atmosphere been like and what's training been like over the last couple of days?
00:04:37Well, the training's been, as you would imagine, not much time to recover so the training would be very light, particularly for the lads who started the game and played a fair length of time.
00:04:47So from that viewpoint, we haven't been able to do a great deal, obviously concerned about the match today, it's come pretty quickly after Thursday night's episode but in terms of confidence, it was a major confidence booster.
00:05:01How big a part can that play when you come to a place like this, a tough venue?
00:05:04This was a tough venue for us, you know, Hibs haven't got into the position that they are without playing well, you know.
00:05:10Choose Unite, I think, was a bit of an aberration for them at Motherwell but overall they're a very fine side and we need to be at it.
00:05:17It's just a matter of trying to get our energy up and running for it and yeah, all those things that constitute playing football.
00:05:24Yeah, well I was going to ask you that in terms of, obviously we know that Hibs are a decent side, they've had a good season so far.
00:05:29So from your point of view, what do you want to see from us today here?
00:05:32Just the same appetite for the game as we've shown in the last number of weeks, you know.
00:05:38We had, I mean we went to go behind there on Thursday evening in Feyenoord, the team could have crumbled, they didn't do that.
00:05:45So they showed a bit of resilience and a bit of character which was terrific and I say those particular things, we played brilliantly as well too but you have to earn the right.
00:05:54I've always said this here, you know, generally managerial speak but at the end of the day you have to earn the right and we have to do exactly that there today.
00:06:03Yeah, absolutely. Well finally Martin, talking about, you know, earning the right, somebody who's been doing really well and earning his place is young Colby Donovan.
00:06:10We see him in from the start again today and we also see on the other side Marcelo back in action as well.
00:06:16How much of a boost is that to have that sort of energy?
00:06:18Well that was nice, yeah. Kieran himself has had a couple of injury problems.
00:06:23He says heels are pretty sore so he had to get an injection for that there for Thursday night.
00:06:27And then he's got a big toenail ripped off and so it's a little bit sore again, he's there and available.
00:06:35He could be on in the first minute, we don't know. But no, he's, that's the reason for the change.
00:06:41Well listen, thanks very much for speaking to us and best of luck.
00:06:43Pleasure. Okay.
00:06:45Martin O'Neill speaking to our reporter Matthew Campbell a short time ago, so just confirming why Kieran Tierney is not in the starting 11,
00:06:54but he is on the bench for Celtic this afternoon. Kick-off is at the top of the hour.
00:07:00Let's get ourselves in the mood with reminding ourselves of that wonderful night in Rotterdam just a few days ago.
00:07:13Looking for a good delivery and it comes, headed in, a chance in the back post!
00:07:18Look, McEwen can't believe it. I think maybe it was offside.
00:07:26He can't believe he's missed that.
00:07:32Yeah, he was offside.
00:07:33Yeah, he was offside.
00:07:34Wow.
00:07:34Thank you for that.
00:07:35Oh, a chance at the other end now as Feyenoord come forward. He's through on goal, it's a chance for the opening goal.
00:07:50Manics Uueda.
00:07:53With his left foot that slots it past Kasper Schmeichel.
00:07:56On the break Feyenoord after ten and a half minutes have the lead.
00:08:04McGregor inside to Hattati.
00:08:08Yang back to McGregor, Hattati.
00:08:10Donovan.
00:08:16Back to Trusty, now wide right.
00:08:19As McEwen thinks that one in. Lovely run by Hattati.
00:08:24Far post, chance for Celtic and it's a goal, it's an equaliser.
00:08:28Great finish from Yang, it has to be said. Celtic have got something in Rotterdam, they're right back in it.
00:08:35Well, Johnny Kenny and Kaleccia Iheanacho on the bench for Celtic tonight.
00:08:42Oh, chance, it's the goalkeeper, shows too much of that one to Maeda, and Celtic have somehow got themselves ahead.
00:08:51From about 30 yards, it's a goalkeeping error.
00:08:57What a finish that was, was it Hattati with the finish?
00:09:00Yes it was.
00:09:05Oh, we don't have an under pressure there from the referee to throw, he's done well, he's got the, the cross in.
00:09:11Chance here for Meagren for a third for Celtic and it's in off the underside of the bar.
00:09:16What a finish from Benjamin Meagren.
00:09:19Celtic cooking a two goal cushion in Rotterdam.
00:09:22What a performance, this is turning out to be.
00:09:25There's Feyenoord 1, Celtic 3.
00:09:28Oh, absolutely brilliant.
00:09:29It's easy to hit for the first time in Russia.
00:09:31If you just watch it here, he's pulled away, the 3-1's given away, but he's first on it.
00:09:35So he does the right thing.
00:09:36Then he gets in there, he goes to put it in the box.
00:09:38And that danger, Maeda does brilliant.
00:09:41Amazing nights in Rotterdam.
00:09:56Ironically, Simon, the last time Celtic had won in the Netherlands was, yeah, 2001.
00:10:02Martin O'Neill against Ajax, it was 3-1 that night.
00:10:05It was quite prophetic, wasn't it?
00:10:06Yeah, sometimes football just serves up those little quirks of fate and, you know,
00:10:10it's incredible that length of time and Martin back in the hot seat.
00:10:14And a fine performance because, as he said there in his interview, you know,
00:10:17it wasn't plain sailing, we went behind after 10 minutes.
00:10:20And, you know, the boys responded brilliantly to the chances when they came along.
00:10:27And at one point in that second half, very dominant, you know, keeping a lot of possession.
00:10:31So it must give them a real shot in the arm.
00:10:34Huge confidence getting into this game today.
00:10:36So I'm looking forward to it.
00:10:37We're in a transition phase at the club, obviously.
00:10:40I know the latest news is that Martin O'Neill expects to be in the dugout for Wednesday night's game now.
00:10:47So it's looking like any new manager that's coming in won't take charge.
00:10:51And what a game to have as your first one against Hearts at Celtic Park.
00:10:55But, you know, it's an interesting one because Martin's getting the results.
00:10:59We can clearly see he's got the players playing.
00:11:02And so, you know, any new manager coming in midway through the season,
00:11:06it's always going to be a little bit tricky.
00:11:10But, you know, when it does happen, obviously there might be a new style of play or whatever.
00:11:14But, you know, in the here and now, and it's all about this game this afternoon,
00:11:18Martin seems to be having players playing the way he wants.
00:11:21And he's giving players that kind of Martin O'Neill confidence, if you like.
00:11:26That unique way he's got of instilling confidence in players.
00:11:29I'm thinking of the likes of Yang, for instance.
00:11:31Much, much the whipping boy of the squad.
00:11:35And then Martin O'Neill comes in.
00:11:38If I think I'm right in saying the first thing he did in his first squad,
00:11:40he's dropped Yang completely out of the squad, but he's gradually brought him back.
00:11:44And he's now beginning to say, oh, there's a player there.
00:11:47You can see the confidence.
00:11:48He's clearly the kind of player who needs the confidence of his manager.
00:11:52And he's now showing what he can bring to the side.
00:11:56Yeah, I think so.
00:11:57And I think that's obviously Martin's privy to the day-to-day watching of Yang,
00:12:02and the rest of the players and the development of the players.
00:12:06And as you say, instilling that little bit of confidence into players.
00:12:09Puts him on another night in a big European game.
00:12:12The world's his manager with the goal and a fine performance.
00:12:15And yeah, just sometimes with wide players in general,
00:12:19they do need that little arm around them.
00:12:22But Martin O'Neill, as you say, can only take it game by game.
00:12:26I mean, we thought this possibly was going to be his last game.
00:12:29But he's come in and done an incredible job.
00:12:32I look back to the semi-final.
00:12:34Okay, the disappointment in his first exploits over to Denmark.
00:12:39That was rectified the other night with a fine performance.
00:12:41Feyenoord, I don't know if the guy can do any more.
00:12:44He's been brilliant since he came back in.
00:12:46As has his staff, I imagine, working well.
00:12:48They're getting a positive response out of the players.
00:12:51And, you know, they're getting result after result.
00:12:54Hopefully they can build on that again this afternoon.
00:12:56But it's been an unbelievable return for him.
00:13:00Yeah, it really has.
00:13:01And you can sense, I mean, listening to his interview there with Matthew,
00:13:06you can sense that, you know, he's really, he's getting more into the job.
00:13:11He produces a flow.
00:13:12Yeah, he's getting more into it.
00:13:13You can tell he's, you know, he understands the players a lot more.
00:13:16He's more confident in what he's talking about.
00:13:17The squad and all the rest of it.
00:13:19It's great to see it really is.
00:13:21And it's having such a positive effect.
00:13:22And absolutely the perfect person to bring in when you need someone to come in.
00:13:27Almost kind of hit the ground running.
00:13:28Has that gravitas about the place and can, you know, steady the ship to use that, that cliche.
00:13:34But he's done absolutely that and more.
00:13:36Celtic are chipping away at the lead of Hearts.
00:13:39Hearts have dropped another couple of points yesterday.
00:13:41As the boys get ready to come out onto the Easter Road pitch.
00:13:44Five points, the gap now between Celtic and Hearts at the top of the table, Simon.
00:13:49But crucially, Celtic have two games in hand and Hearts come to Celtic Park next Sunday.
00:13:55So it's tough at the top, they say.
00:13:58And it shows you how great Celtic have been in the seasons gone by.
00:14:01That they've managed to kind of keep that consistency at the top.
00:14:06But you can tell that the pressure's on Hearts and Celtic just beginning to chip away at that.
00:14:10Hundred percent.
00:14:11A hundred percent.
00:14:12And listen, the players, they'll say a game at a time, but they'll have the bit between the teeth.
00:14:17They'll know that Hearts have slipped up.
00:14:19They'll know this is another big one this afternoon at Easter Road.
00:14:22They have to get the three points.
00:14:23Dundee midweek.
00:14:25Then it's Hearts next weekend.
00:14:27All big games coming up.
00:14:29But at the moment, just after that game the other night, I think the boys have just got that little bit
00:14:33between their teeth again.
00:14:35And they're beginning to find a wee bit of form.
00:14:38They're in their chain strip this afternoon.
00:14:39The all black with the horizontal green pinstripes.
00:14:45David Gray has gone with his usual kind of attacking
00:14:49formation.
00:14:49Fort Hibbs, Kieran Bowie, Martin Boyle up top.
00:14:52Jamie McGrath sitting in just behind them.
00:14:54You get the pace of the Cadden's twins in the wide areas.
00:14:58They're sitting fourth in the league.
00:14:59Motherwell having just overtaken them.
00:15:02Martin mentioned that recent defeat to Motherwell.
00:15:06He called it an aberration.
00:15:07But Hibbs have been playing well under David Gray.
00:15:10And they are one of the teams that Celtic in recent seasons,
00:15:13you might say, have sometimes struggled against.
00:15:15Yeah, I think it'll be a tough game.
00:15:16I think Celtic will need to put in a similar performance to Thursday night
00:15:22to get the three points, which I'm sure they're capable of.
00:15:25But yeah, they'll have to, as Martin said himself,
00:15:28they'll have to win that right to play initially.
00:15:31But Hibbs have got some pace as well.
00:15:34The boy Bowie's back's got amongst the goals.
00:15:36Boyle's always a threat.
00:15:38As you say, the Cadden brothers as well.
00:15:40So yeah, Celtic will need to be at it this afternoon.
00:15:43That's of no doubt.
00:15:44If you've just joined us, Caspar Speichel in goal.
00:15:46Colby Donovan, Austin trustee, Liam Scales and Marcelo Siracchi at the back.
00:15:50That's the only change to the side that beat Feyenoord.
00:15:52Siracchi in for Tierney who drops down to the bench.
00:15:55So it's MacGregor, Engles and Hattati in the middle.
00:15:57Look at McKeown and Yang in the wide areas.
00:16:00And Bison, Maeda through the middle.
00:16:02Callum MacGregor, last words of instructions in the Celtic huddle.
00:16:07Leith in a lovely part of Edinburgh.
00:16:13If you've ever had the chance to visit right on the eastern side of Edinburgh.
00:16:21And by our first seat on a lovely day like it is today.
00:16:26Great weather for a game of football.
00:16:29Did you like this Simon when it was nice and crisp in the air?
00:16:31Yeah, yeah, perfect conditions.
00:16:34Good surface through here at Easter Road as well.
00:16:36Perfect for a good game of football and we're about to kick off.
00:16:40Celtic will be shooting from right to left.
00:16:44Nick Walsh gets the game underway.
00:16:47And we're up and running.
00:16:48The ball's back with the Hibs goalkeeper Raphael Salinger.
00:16:52Goes long scales with the header down.
00:16:55Put it up in the air there from Chaiwa.
00:16:57It's out on the far side.
00:17:04Nicky Cadden with the ball in his hand.
00:17:06Kobe Donovan at right back this afternoon.
00:17:08Having broken in from the B team, he's really taken his opportunity.
00:17:11And as a marauding wing back, he's doing more than was expected of him in that position.
00:17:19A little bit of a tussle going on in the left wing.
00:17:23It's out again for another throw as Donovan makes the challenge.
00:17:28Hibs, one of these sides.
00:17:31They've got a lot of physicality, a lot of height in their team.
00:17:34So they'll be looking to make the most of these set pieces.
00:17:38As in when they get them, Obita drying the ball, looking for the long throw.
00:17:41Rocky Bashiri, one of the players up from the back.
00:17:45So it's a long throw to Hibs.
00:17:47From the left, just about 12 yards out from the corner flag.
00:17:52And it comes, header off in the air by Trusty, nodded down by Donovan.
00:17:56Hibs have it though.
00:17:57Cadden on the left, takes that towards the byline.
00:17:59Back heels it to Obita.
00:18:02In comes the cross.
00:18:03Decent cross, Bashiri gets above.
00:18:05Seracchi there, but couldn't get high enough to direct his header, Goldwood.
00:18:10Yeah, we just need to be on our toes with those situations this afternoon.
00:18:13Set plays and throws in that final third.
00:18:17Hibs have been looking to launch him right into the box, but that one was well defended there.
00:18:24Celtic playing it out of defence.
00:18:26Engels back to Donovan.
00:18:28Engels, one of the midfielders who really were in top form the other night in the Netherlands.
00:18:35Engels really showing what he can bring to the,
00:18:39to the, to the game does so much of the kind of unselfish work off the ball as well.
00:18:44That clearance didn't really do much as Martin Boyle on the angle.
00:18:49Gonna be a difficult chance to beat Kasper Schmeichel from there.
00:18:54Shot on target straight into the body of the Celtic goalkeeper.
00:18:57So two minutes gone.
00:18:59Most of the play in the Celtic half.
00:19:02Here's Liam Scales back to Schmeichel.
00:19:08Through the lines taken by Hattati.
00:19:10Looking for a foul, doesn't get it.
00:19:11So, Hibs started strongly in this one.
00:19:15Cadden now, up against Sarachi.
00:19:19Pushes Sarachi aside, but Celtic have other men back there and it's gone behind off Cadden this time.
00:19:25And Celtic can grab a breather with a goal kick.
00:19:28Yeah, Hibs just with the, the high pressure there on Celtic's back line.
00:19:32A couple of risky passes in there.
00:19:34First from trusting in the goalkeeper.
00:19:36Just putting us under a little bit of pressure.
00:19:38Sean Aloni, a man that knows this, uh, stadium very well.
00:19:54From his time here.
00:19:59Very much controlling things behind the scenes as well as a, an integral part of
00:20:04Martin O'Neill's coaching staff.
00:20:06He's a right-hand man shall we say.
00:20:10Trusty to Sarachi.
00:20:14Really impressed as a, an on loan left back.
00:20:17I know any Celtic supporters would like Celtic to have a look at
00:20:20Sarachi as a potential permanent signing when his loan deal comes to an end.
00:20:25He's been full of energy.
00:20:27Every performance I've seen him up until they picked up that little injury.
00:20:31Oh, ball given away by Hibs Yang.
00:20:34Penalised there.
00:20:35His first touch then came up onto his arm.
00:20:39So free kick to Hibs.
00:20:41In the middle of the park.
00:20:42Not gonna lead goal as yet this season.
00:20:47Yang's got one in the League Cup and that one in the Europa League of course.
00:20:50As Cadden goes for the cross and Sarachi back making the challenge.
00:20:53But it'll be a Hibs corner.
00:20:55Four minutes gone.
00:20:56Yeah, just that pace we spoke about.
00:20:59Boyle, whirling runner into the channels.
00:21:02That time he wins the home team, the first corner of the match.
00:21:06Across comes Nicky Cadden.
00:21:09Got a left-footed Cadden and a right-footed Cadden.
00:21:14This is a left-footed.
00:21:15Goes at the in-swing up from the corner.
00:21:20And it comes in a central area but headed away by Scales.
00:21:23He's so good in the air.
00:21:25We see at international level as well how effective he is.
00:21:28And that's an effective early ball there from Luke McCown down the left-hand side.
00:21:33Looking for Yang but good tracking back there from Mulligan to get in his way.
00:21:37Yeah, that could be a good contest this afternoon, those two.
00:21:42Yang just trying to skip inside there.
00:21:45Young Morgan read it well.
00:21:46Well, he's certainly got pace.
00:21:47It's another nice ball just threaded through the middle.
00:21:49Maeda, first touch, let him down there.
00:21:52Inside the 18-yard box, Hibs clear it all the way up.
00:21:55Inside the Celtic.
00:21:56Ah, Schmeichel way out of his box with a header down to Scales.
00:21:59Now Sarachi back to the right Irish defender.
00:22:03And now Trusty, one of the players looking forward to a World Cup.
00:22:11Delighted to say that Scotland will be there as well.
00:22:18Draw for the World Cup coming up on Friday.
00:22:21Now Rocky, Bashiri, Obita up and over the halfway line.
00:22:37Touched there by Bowie but it doesn't go out.
00:22:39Celtic Havoc challenge coming in there on Engles.
00:22:41Referee blows the whistle for the foul there to Hibs.
00:22:49Yeah, he just had to prop that off slightly quicker than he did.
00:22:52He took that little bit of time on it, allowed the Hibs to close him down.
00:22:59Yeah, you don't get much time on the ball at all.
00:23:01Engles just wanted a half a second more than he was allowed there by Chaywa.
00:23:07Here's Caden down the right, threads that one.
00:23:10Boyle scales right with him to prod it out for the throw-in.
00:23:16Hibs playing the ball around with some confidence in the early minutes.
00:23:19David Gray will be happy with the start his side has shown.
00:23:24No horror back to Bashiri.
00:23:28No horror.
00:23:29On the right, I'd like to play this three at the back.
00:23:36Formation.
00:23:38Now Celtic went it back in the middle of the park.
00:23:40Space for Hitate to run into.
00:23:42A little chip over the top.
00:23:43Look, McCown's broken the offside trap.
00:23:45The goalkeeper, Salinger, way out of his box.
00:23:48And he had to be because McCown was right through on goal there.
00:23:51Yeah, it's a fantastic pass.
00:23:53Piece of play from Hitate.
00:23:54Really clever.
00:23:56Commits players and just flicks it over the back wing.
00:23:59McCown was in but the keeper read it well.
00:24:02Yeah, Celtic managed to press and draw the mistake but Hitate's great vision there.
00:24:07Maeda was clearly offside but McCown just running
00:24:12with the late run through on goal.
00:24:14But the goalkeeper had already anticipated that and he was way outside of his box.
00:24:17Ball up to the halfway line.
00:24:24Martin Boyle comes deep.
00:24:26That's great play from Mulligan.
00:24:27What a lovely touch there.
00:24:31Gives it out to Cadden.
00:24:32Mulligan wants it back.
00:24:33Across comes Scales.
00:24:34First time pass inside looking for the runner.
00:24:36Cadden, but Saracci had matched his run every step of the way and plays it out for a Hibs throw.
00:24:41Yeah, nice play from Hibs.
00:24:42Mulligan, nice bit of footwork there.
00:24:47Hibs take the throw and they have the ball here with O'Hora.
00:24:55Chaiwa.
00:24:57Back to Bashiri.
00:24:59Now Jordan Obita.
00:25:02On the left is Nicky Cadden.
00:25:05First time pass there.
00:25:07Does create a half chance for Hibs.
00:25:11They've still got it in the box.
00:25:13Back to goal though.
00:25:15Good defending in the end.
00:25:16The block comes in from Engels.
00:25:18A mistake from Celtic on the far side.
00:25:20Almost gave Hibs a great opportunity.
00:25:23They still have it though on the left.
00:25:24And it's Cadden space to look up.
00:25:26The cross is headed away by Donovan.
00:25:30And a chance perhaps for Engels to get the ball clear.
00:25:33Maeda back there too.
00:25:34Referee penalises the Hibs player for the foul.
00:25:38Once again Hibs confident coming forward.
00:25:40Yeah just applying a bit of pressure there.
00:25:43The mistake I think it was Luke McCown with the miscontrol.
00:25:46Allowed the cross to come in.
00:25:47Thankfully for Celtic just above the head of Bowie.
00:25:51It's forward by Sriracha.
00:25:59Ohora slides in to win it back for the home side.
00:26:02Nine minutes gone.
00:26:07Hibs nil.
00:26:08Celtic nil in the capital.
00:26:10Celtic looking to capitalize on a couple of drop points by league leaders.
00:26:15Hearts yesterday.
00:26:16So five points separating Hearts and Celtic.
00:26:19Celtic though with two games in hand.
00:26:21One of which is this one.
00:26:34Up onto the chest of Bowie.
00:26:36Trusty.
00:26:38Closely there.
00:26:39But Bowie did well.
00:26:40Now Hibs spread it out to the right hand side.
00:26:43Chris Cadden coming forward.
00:26:45Yang goes with up and provides the block when the cross came in.
00:26:48It's out for a Hibs throw.
00:26:51Quickly taken.
00:26:54Chaiwa.
00:26:57Ohora.
00:26:59On the halfway line is Rocky Bashiri now.
00:27:01Obita.
00:27:09Bashiri.
00:27:14Celtic trying to cut out the passes and it's a good challenge by its scales now.
00:27:19Can Celtic catch.
00:27:20Hibs out at the back.
00:27:22A chance for Yang.
00:27:23Through on goal.
00:27:24He gives it back to Dyson.
00:27:25Maeda.
00:27:26Yeah I was waiting for the flag on the far side.
00:27:28I think Celtic.
00:27:29Oh in the naked eye here it looked like maybe two players offside.
00:27:32Yeah I think so.
00:27:33I think Yang goes.
00:27:35I think the pass can maybe come a little bit earlier.
00:27:37Let's see it again.
00:27:38Great tackle from scales.
00:27:40Lovely little interplay there.
00:27:43Yeah.
00:27:43You're right Zion.
00:27:44Just an extra step there from McEwen.
00:27:46Could have played it earlier.
00:27:47Could have played it a little bit earlier.
00:27:48Nice little bit of interplay between the two.
00:27:50Yeah offside.
00:27:54Assist there from Yang to Maeda but confirmation that Yang was in an offside position when the
00:28:00pass came through from McEwen.
00:28:03However that should give Celtic some confidence.
00:28:05Yeah it was nice play.
00:28:06Nice link up between Hitachi and McEwen.
00:28:10Hebb's now attacking down the left hand side.
00:28:12Caden.
00:28:12It's a great ball across the face of the goal.
00:28:14What a chance in the six yard box for Martin Boyle.
00:28:19Well he claims he was fouled as he went for that one.
00:28:23Might just be trying to cover up for a poor miss as we watch this again Simon.
00:28:27Yeah he should score.
00:28:28It's onside.
00:28:31Gets the wrong side of Saracchi there.
00:28:34Unfortunately.
00:28:36Can't find the back of the net.
00:28:38Yeah he does well to get ahead of Saracchi because when the ball comes in Saracchi's ahead of Boyle.
00:28:42Contrined the blind side.
00:28:46Yeah best opportunity of the match forced to Hibs.
00:28:50Boyle used his pace to nip in ahead of Saracchi but just couldn't direct his shot into the goal from about
00:28:59four or five yards.
00:29:03Donovan.
00:29:05Has to go back to it.
00:29:07Kasper Schmeichel.
00:29:11Saracchi now under pressure.
00:29:13Two Hibs players there.
00:29:14One of them's Bowie.
00:29:16Back to the edge of the area.
00:29:17Shot there from Jamie McGrath just goes.
00:29:19A foot or saw over the bar.
00:29:22Try to look that one over Kasper Schmeichel.
00:29:24Yeah just a miscontrol from Saracchi.
00:29:28It's once or twice.
00:29:30Celtic just bringing that pressure upon themselves at the back there.
00:29:34Yeah and it just invites Hibs to take confidence and do it more and more as we saw there.
00:29:39Every time the ball gets played back to Schmeichel.
00:29:43Martin Boyle kind of playing that Dyson Maeda role.
00:29:46Donovan to McCown inside to Maeda.
00:29:53Maeda is looking for the return pass if Maeda can find him.
00:29:56But Obita got in the way.
00:29:59Free kick goes to Hibs.
00:30:04Oh horror.
00:30:05The game's been quite open so far.
00:30:11I think Hibs have maybe shaded the play but
00:30:14people can just get a bit tidier when these opportunities arise.
00:30:20It's quite an open first 14 minutes.
00:30:23Yeah certainly no suggestion of Hibs parking any bus.
00:30:25They're on home territory and they're looking to take the game to Celtic.
00:30:33High ball.
00:30:35And Trusty comes across.
00:30:38Followed by Bowie who does really well but Donovan's back there to pick up the loose ball.
00:30:43Engles now into Hitati.
00:30:46McGregor back to scales.
00:30:48And now space on the left hand side.
00:30:50And a chance for Marcelo Soracchi to come up into the Hibs half but
00:30:54nothing ahead of him.
00:30:55So back it comes to McGregor.
00:31:02Trusty finds Donovan.
00:31:03Now scales.
00:31:13Back comes Engles now space in the middle of the park.
00:31:18Lots of it for Callum McGregor.
00:31:19Donovan first time ball forward.
00:31:24And Hitati was there tripped on Hibs.
00:31:28A free kick there late challenge from Celtic captain Callum McGregor on Jordan Ovita.
00:31:35Yeah it's a free kick.
00:31:39No more no less.
00:31:41Just ran away from the skipper there.
00:31:44As I tried to read the, I think it was Atati had slipped initially.
00:31:51First 15 minutes.
00:31:53Very even.
00:31:54No goals.
00:31:55Chances for either side.
00:31:58Celtic the only team to have found the back of the net but offside was the correct decision.
00:32:07The Hibs have it in their own half with O'Horra.
00:32:12Long crossfield ball to Cadden.
00:32:17Cuts inside, McCown, it's a great ball and it's a late challenge and it'll be the first yellow card of the afternoon for a young Kobe Donovan.
00:32:30It's Jordan Ovita has about 12 forward rolls.
00:32:36Yeah he's committed himself to it, he's a little bit late, the youngster.
00:32:42Yeah, ooh that's a, that's a, a late one there from Donovan.
00:32:47He just puts himself under that wee bit of pressure for booking in the first 16 minutes here.
00:32:54So free kick to Hibs, Cadden and McGrath over this one.
00:33:08All the big men up from the back.
00:33:11Celtic defending the 18 yard line.
00:33:15In comes the delivery away by McGregor and out for a Hibs throw.
00:33:22Down by that Celtic dugout.
00:33:29No, Martin O'Neill knew it would be a, a tough one this afternoon.
00:33:35Celtic are having to work for every inch that they get.
00:33:40It would be natural if that performance just Thursday night over in Rotterdam had a little bit of an impact on the players.
00:33:56Full squad will probably be used as much as possible with the substitutions, particularly in the second half.
00:34:01Scales has it for Celtic.
00:34:05Through the middle, Maeda, first time pass out, left to Surachi, now Yang.
00:34:12Takes the ball inside, lays it back to McGregor.
00:34:17Space for Donovan, now out wide right to McCown.
00:34:21Donovan goes on the overlap, McCown.
00:34:25Cuts inside and finds McGregor.
00:34:28Hibs not giving Celtic a way through so
00:34:32back they come.
00:34:33Trusty now.
00:34:35Donovan, wide right.
00:34:40Must have come back to Trusty.
00:34:41Hibs defensive shape doing its job here.
00:34:44McGregor.
00:34:47McGregor.
00:34:52Trusty, McCown on the right.
00:34:56Finds a pass forward to Hitati.
00:35:00Donovan with that low cross, bit of a mishit there from Bashiri.
00:35:07McCown will let that one go out for the throw to Celtic.
00:35:10Quick, quickly taken.
00:35:13Kept in, as McCown gets the return.
00:35:17Gives it back to McGregor.
00:35:19Maeda, first time pass forward there, but
00:35:23on the angles.
00:35:25A couple of yards offside.
00:35:27So free kick goes to Hibs, quickly taken by Salinger, the goalkeeper.
00:35:30O'Horah goes long up towards the halfway line.
00:35:33Cut out well by Angles, taken down by McGregor.
00:35:36Celtic catch Hibs before they get their shape back.
00:35:41Little chip forward there, but Salinger out to collect.
00:35:4519 minutes gone still.
00:35:47Hibs nil, Celtic nil.
00:35:48Yeah, they won the ball back well there with Angles.
00:35:52All of a sudden the transition was a wee opportunity there for
00:35:55Callum McGregor.
00:35:56Just tried to clip it forward too much on it for Yang.
00:35:58Forward by Obita, straight to Callum McGregor.
00:36:07Nice little triangle passing there.
00:36:09Hatati forward now.
00:36:11Chance in the corner of the six-yard box.
00:36:13Could cut back that from Yang.
00:36:14McCown picks up a loose ball.
00:36:16McGregor's in there as well.
00:36:17Can't get the shot.
00:36:19Quick enough away and the block comes in.
00:36:21And Hibs win a free kick challenge there from
00:36:24Rayo Hatati.
00:36:24There's some sharp passing from Celtic.
00:36:29Opened it up.
00:36:30Quite quickly.
00:36:32It was Yang here in the cutback and it's
00:36:34Mashiri's happy to give it back to Celtic there.
00:36:38The skipper gets his shot blocked in the end.
00:36:45Little win-tricket passing.
00:36:46Opened the home team up there.
00:36:49Almost an opportunity.
00:36:50Long kick up field from Salinger.
00:36:54Head up down.
00:36:55McCown back defending well.
00:36:57For Celtic forward.
00:36:58Looking for Maeda.
00:36:59Ball's loose.
00:37:00Just inside the Celtic half.
00:37:01Ohorra there.
00:37:03Chaiwa to Mulligan.
00:37:06Out wide right will be Chris Cadden back inside.
00:37:10To Mulligan.
00:37:12Ohorra.
00:37:20Up to the halfway line but Celtic force hips back again.
00:37:31Salinger.
00:37:33Kicks that one out to the right.
00:37:35Looking for Cadden.
00:37:37Came off the head of Sirachi.
00:37:41Took a sore one to the back I think there.
00:37:42Yeah.
00:37:43Just holding his lower back.
00:37:47Challenging the air there from Cadden.
00:37:52Back in his feet though.
00:37:53Back in position.
00:37:59It'll be a hips throw.
00:38:00Goal.
00:38:11Forward by Ohorra.
00:38:13Bowie the target.
00:38:14Nods it down but straight to the feet of Sirachi.
00:38:16Launches one off into the hips half.
00:38:18Straight at Bashiri.
00:38:20Gives it to Obita.
00:38:26Left foot long.
00:38:27Pass forward.
00:38:28Almost caught out.
00:38:29Donovan in fact did.
00:38:30But Donovan does enough there.
00:38:33To put off.
00:38:37Jamie McGrath.
00:38:38Yeah it was a swirling pass and he just got the flight of it wrong I think.
00:38:41Young Donovan but trust he came to his aid.
00:38:45Throw in to Hibbs though on the far side.
00:38:47Another chance for Jordan Obita to
00:38:50throw it in towards the six-yard box.
00:38:53Again plenty of targets in there.
00:38:55The height the likes of Bowie and Ohorra.
00:38:59Bashiri as well.
00:39:01In comes the throw.
00:39:03Edge of the six-yard box.
00:39:04Nodded down only as far as McGrath.
00:39:07Celtic don't want to be putting challenges in there.
00:39:09Inside the area.
00:39:10So cross comes in from Cadden.
00:39:12Celtic do work it away.
00:39:15This time.
00:39:16And force Hibbs back into their own half.
00:39:18Now chance for Celtic to maybe press.
00:39:21But it was all the way back to.
00:39:23Salinger have taken no chances.
00:39:25As the goalkeeper launches one.
00:39:27Midway into the Celtic half.
00:39:29Onto the head of Trusty.
00:39:33Balls with Bowie.
00:39:35He's given that away to Yang.
00:39:39Back to McGregor.
00:39:40Now Sriracha on the halfway line.
00:39:44Back to Hattati.
00:39:53McGregor finds Trusty.
00:40:06Donovan.
00:40:18Hibbs hoping that these Celtic players might be a little bit leggy.
00:40:23From there.
00:40:25Dutch.
00:40:29Travels.
00:40:33Celtic keeping up with the pace of the game.
00:40:36So far 24 minutes almost on the clock.
00:40:39Still no breakthrough.
00:40:41In this game.
00:40:44McGregor out to.
00:40:46Sriracha.
00:40:47Maeda.
00:40:47First time pass in the middle.
00:40:49To Hattati.
00:40:50Closely followed by Chaiwa.
00:40:51But finds scales with the pass.
00:40:53Now space.
00:40:55For Trusty to run into.
00:40:59McEwen wide right.
00:41:01Donovan.
00:41:02Hibbs working hard to not give Celtic an opening.
00:41:07McGregor.
00:41:08Celtic will come to the left now.
00:41:10Sriracha.
00:41:12Back to scales.
00:41:13Celtic are having to be patient here.
00:41:16Just keep the possession.
00:41:19And wait for the chances to come.
00:41:23Donovan out to McEwen.
00:41:25Inside him as Engels went for the return.
00:41:29But straight off.
00:41:30Obita.
00:41:31Ball breaks up to the halfway line.
00:41:33Trusty there.
00:41:34For Celtic.
00:41:35Back.
00:41:37Engels gives.
00:41:38Scales the pass.
00:41:41Engels fouled.
00:41:42But referee plays the advantage.
00:41:44That's a poor pass from Rio Hattati.
00:41:48Offside though.
00:41:51So Hibbs will have a free kick.
00:41:54A bit of possession football there from Celtic.
00:41:56As you say.
00:41:56Hibbs.
00:41:56Reasonable shape.
00:41:57Making it difficult.
00:42:00Just that final pass from Hattati.
00:42:02Getting away from McEwen.
00:42:05But yeah.
00:42:06I think he just kept offside.
00:42:15Now.
00:42:15I know it's a cliche.
00:42:16But it's a game that needs a goal.
00:42:17Needs a goal.
00:42:18It was open enough.
00:42:19And there's been situations within.
00:42:22The 25 minutes.
00:42:23But.
00:42:24Just need to have that little bit of quality.
00:42:27And the final passes.
00:42:28The most important passes.
00:42:29Yeah.
00:42:32The same can be said for both sides here.
00:42:41After 26 minutes.
00:42:45It's still goalless.
00:42:46Between Hibbs.
00:42:48And Celtic.
00:42:49As Bashiri gives it inside.
00:42:51Now a real chance here.
00:42:52As the goalkeeper's giving it away.
00:42:53And it's right in front of goal.
00:42:55Into the empty net.
00:42:56From Dyson Maeda.
00:42:57On 26 minutes.
00:42:59The mistake happened.
00:43:01And it happened.
00:43:03In the Hibbs defence.
00:43:05Poor distribution from the goalkeeper.
00:43:07And Celtic.
00:43:08Well.
00:43:08You can't give the champions chances like this.
00:43:10And expect not.
00:43:12To be punished.
00:43:13It's almost as if the keeper heard you Jerry.
00:43:15With the game needing a goal.
00:43:16It's.
00:43:18Unnecessary pass.
00:43:20Putting his team under pressure.
00:43:21Celtic are right on the press.
00:43:23Straight away.
00:43:24With Hitati.
00:43:25Rolls it into Maeda.
00:43:27And it's a simple finish.
00:43:29Yeah.
00:43:29It actually slips.
00:43:30The defender slips.
00:43:31Yeah.
00:43:31It's a poor pass from the goalkeeper.
00:43:33But it's putting.
00:43:33Yeah.
00:43:33He's putting his player under.
00:43:35Unnecessary pressure there with the pass.
00:43:37It's almost a straight pass with him.
00:43:39He's back to play.
00:43:40Celtic capitalise.
00:43:42It's always a danger.
00:43:43You're getting your keeper to.
00:43:44To always play these short passes.
00:43:46When.
00:43:47Your defender's facing you.
00:43:48And he's got a Celtic player on his back.
00:43:50Any mistake.
00:43:51At all.
00:43:52And it can end up being a goal.
00:43:54That's exactly what's happened there.
00:43:55That will give Celtic a lift.
00:43:58Going ahead.
00:43:59That reached the road.
00:44:00A bit of a gift.
00:44:01But.
00:44:01It is Christmas time isn't it?
00:44:03Listen.
00:44:04He said the game needed a goal.
00:44:06But that was a 100%.
00:44:09Put on a plate.
00:44:10And Celtic capitalise.
00:44:12Credit to Rio Hotate.
00:44:14He was waiting for it.
00:44:17Created.
00:44:18The opportunity for Dyson Maeda.
00:44:20Celtic now coming forward.
00:44:21Looking to capitalise.
00:44:23On the advantage.
00:44:24Saracci finds Yang on the left.
00:44:25Cross it.
00:44:26It's a great one.
00:44:27What a chance.
00:44:27And it's a second goal for Celtic.
00:44:30Arne Engels heads it into the back of the net.
00:44:32He's taken a sore one to the face.
00:44:34So he's down and he's going to need some treatment.
00:44:36There's a yellow card.
00:44:42Going the way of a hibs player.
00:44:43Arne Engels is.
00:44:46He's hurt his eyes or his nose.
00:44:47He's getting lots of pats in the back of the head.
00:44:49I'm not sure he'll appreciate that.
00:44:51But Saracci doing well.
00:44:52And Yang with a brilliant cross.
00:44:53It's a great cross.
00:44:55Great play from Saracci initially.
00:44:57It's a little deflection on the cross.
00:44:58But it's brave.
00:44:59He puts his head in there where the boots are flying.
00:45:03A little deflection on this cross.
00:45:06And he just throws his head at it.
00:45:07It's a good header.
00:45:09It's a really good header.
00:45:10Brave header.
00:45:11Takes the blow.
00:45:12But he'll be delighted when he realises it's hit the back of the net.
00:45:15Yeah Jamie McGrath there with the high foot.
00:45:18Got a yellow card for that.
00:45:19But Arne Engels.
00:45:21It's a great header.
00:45:22Yeah it's a really good header.
00:45:23Put right into the face there.
00:45:25Did Arne Engels.
00:45:28He's up when he's really sitting up now.
00:45:30The intrigue maybe that could have been a...
00:45:32I'm not sure what the prognosis will be.
00:45:35But it could be a broken nose.
00:45:37Hopefully it's not that.
00:45:38But the second goal of the season for Arne Engels.
00:45:48Number 27 scoring in the 27th minute.
00:45:52And this game has just burst into life for Selty.
00:45:55Yeah totally.
00:45:56Two goals in two minutes.
00:45:58But good place.
00:45:59They're actually carrying the ball.
00:46:01Length of the pitch.
00:46:02Popping off to Yang.
00:46:04He gets his cross in.
00:46:06And the midfielder continues his run.
00:46:08And it's a brave header.
00:46:09Has to get a bit of power on it.
00:46:11Takes the blow.
00:46:12I'm delighted.
00:46:13Yeah he did well.
00:46:14Because it was kind of behind him.
00:46:15He had to get his neck round it.
00:46:16Yeah.
00:46:17He had to manufacture it to himself.
00:46:18And get some pace on it.
00:46:19Salinger got a touch.
00:46:20But all he could do was divert it into the roof of the net.
00:46:23A brave but clinical header from Arne Engels.
00:46:27So once again we're talking about Yang being instrumental in this.
00:46:30The confidence he now has.
00:46:31Because that cross with his left foot was crying out for a finish.
00:46:36It was put perfectly.
00:46:37Yeah.
00:46:38And that's what the likes of Yang has to do now.
00:46:40He comes in and has a good game.
00:46:41He has to build on it.
00:46:43As we see this first goal again with a mistake.
00:46:46Silly one from the keeper.
00:46:48Thank you very much.
00:46:49We'll take that.
00:46:51And then this one here.
00:46:52Just positive play again.
00:46:54Really impressed with the header.
00:46:55Just gets his self in there where the boot is flying.
00:46:58Yeah.
00:46:59Towers it into the net.
00:47:00I think he's uh.
00:47:03He'll have a black eye or a bloody nose.
00:47:07Arne Engels beating the wars.
00:47:10Good to continue I think for now.
00:47:12But it looks as if he's in some distress so I'm not sure how that will
00:47:17pan out.
00:47:22I'm sure the medical team will uh.
00:47:24Look after Arne Engels.
00:47:25Yeah I just see them trotting along here.
00:47:27He'll be.
00:47:27Yeah.
00:47:29I'm sure they'll give it a few minutes.
00:47:31See if it settles down.
00:47:33Half an hour gone though.
00:47:34Hibs nil.
00:47:35Celtic two.
00:47:38In a game that had really kind of settled down into a
00:47:41kind of a mediocre pace.
00:47:42Celtic have really lit things up with
00:47:47two goals.
00:47:49And David Gray will be extremely annoyed that it was his side that gave Celtic the spark.
00:47:54As the ball goes out for a Celtic goal kick.
00:47:58Yeah first one's a little bit self-inflicted.
00:48:01But you have to be there to to prance on it.
00:48:05Two minutes later Celtic are sitting in a really strong position here.
00:48:08Half an hour gone.
00:48:19Shmichael plays it short.
00:48:25to Scales now, Sirachi.
00:48:31Now, hips are gonna have to go for it.
00:48:34Gonna have to take risks.
00:48:45Scales across to it, trusty, Donovan.
00:48:50Donovan does really well.
00:48:53Hatati now.
00:48:55Donovan had made the run forward.
00:48:58No one had seen it. Hatati.
00:49:01Back to McGregor.
00:49:04Scales now out to
00:49:07Sirachi.
00:49:10Back to Scales.
00:49:14It's good play from Celtic McGregor.
00:49:17Forward to Sirachi.
00:49:19Tries to thread that into a space there.
00:49:22Ball breaks back, but only as far as
00:49:24Bashiri, hips trying to break forward.
00:49:28Catch Celtic.
00:49:30But,
00:49:32Celtic managing to force the home side back.
00:49:34Keep possession though.
00:49:35Bashiri.
00:49:36Shiri.
00:49:37No horror.
00:49:38Quickly closed down by Yang.
00:49:39Followed by Salinger.
00:49:41That's another one of those, uh...
00:49:42Didn't hear the crowd.
00:49:43Yeah, they're getting nervous with that pass.
00:49:45Didn't hear the crowd.
00:49:46Especially on a surface that a few players have been slipping on.
00:49:48Just find those straight passes with your teammate where he's back to play.
00:49:52It's really risky.
00:49:54Bowie.
00:49:55Off.
00:49:57Engles is still holding his nose.
00:50:00It's really risky but he can keep trying it as much as he wants.
00:50:04Yeah.
00:50:05From a Celtic point of view.
00:50:06You can see what the tactic is.
00:50:09You draw the player forward that then creates the space for the second ball.
00:50:12Yeah.
00:50:13But...
00:50:14I just think receiving the ball there but you're back to play.
00:50:16Yeah.
00:50:17In those areas of the pitch, you're asking for trouble.
00:50:19Long throw kind of slips out of the hands of Obita up in the air from Bashiri.
00:50:25Martin Boyle having to chase back Sorachi there too.
00:50:28Sorachi did really well.
00:50:30Hebs looking for a foul.
00:50:31Referee says no can do.
00:50:33Sorachi goes long.
00:50:37Cadden there back cutting out that pass which was heading towards McCown.
00:50:45Hebs have it on the right with the horror.
00:50:48Up to the halfway line.
00:50:50Little pull there.
00:50:52And Bowie's jersey by Trusty.
00:50:59So as we head towards 10 minutes to go in the first half.
00:51:03Celtic comfortably two goals ahead.
00:51:08Goals by Dyson Maedan on the end goals.
00:51:11Oh that's a late challenge there on Donovan from Chaiwa.
00:51:16That'll be Hebs first yellow card of the afternoon.
00:51:20Yeah, pretty straight forward as well.
00:51:29Goes to plate down, sliding in late.
00:51:31So we're booking a piece.
00:51:44Cadden for Hebs.
00:51:45Bowie leads that one back to McGrath.
00:51:47Tries to play the first time pass to Martin Boyle, but it's all the way through to Schmeichel who releases it to Sorachi.
00:51:55Scales been told to just wait up a minute.
00:52:05Nicky Cadden's down on the far side.
00:52:08Not sure what the issue is there.
00:52:11I'm not a lip reader but I'm sure he said calf there.
00:52:14Right.
00:52:15I'm sure he said to look the cow in his calf.
00:52:17I mean, no disrespect to Nicky Cadden but is that a rule? You've got to stop the game if a player's...
00:52:33Not that I'm aware of.
00:52:34You know, it's not like he was down with a head in.
00:52:36He was sitting up.
00:52:37Yeah.
00:52:38Celte hit the ball and he told him to stop because...
00:52:40The fact that he's sat down that could...
00:52:43Yeah.
00:52:44I mean the end of his...
00:52:45Yeah.
00:52:46Yeah, as the uh...
00:52:47Physio does the old uh...
00:52:50Twirly finger thing to suggest that substitution is required.
00:52:54Change of personnel.
00:52:56So an enforced change by...
00:53:00David Gray.
00:53:02He's um...
00:53:03A calf injury.
00:53:05Means it's uh...
00:53:07The end for Nicky Cadden.
00:53:10He's been told to...
00:53:12Go off at the uh...
00:53:13The far side.
00:53:15Perhaps I'll need to make a...
00:53:17Change at a time when David Gray wasn't...
00:53:19Really wanting to.
00:53:21Eight...
00:53:26Minutes to half time.
00:53:38This will just add a couple of minutes to the...
00:53:41Injury time.
00:53:42At the end of the first half.
00:53:44He's...
00:53:45Taking the time making the change.
00:53:51So...
00:54:04Change made.
00:54:12We can get...
00:54:13Going with the game again.
00:54:18Celtic on the attack.
00:54:20Sriracha.
00:54:23Yang.
00:54:26Runs inside.
00:54:27Maeda.
00:54:28Just on the stretch there.
00:54:32Ball cleared up as...
00:54:33Trying to scales.
00:54:34McGregor.
00:54:35To trust it.
00:54:37Oh, sure Celtic would be delighted to go in it.
00:54:382-0.
00:54:39But if they could grab another one and really kill this game off before half time it would be...
00:54:44The perfect first 45 minutes that...
00:54:46Martin O'Neill could have hoped for.
00:54:48After a...
00:54:49A tired squad came back in the early hours of Friday morning from the Netherlands.
00:54:56Oh, Donovan gives that away.
00:54:59But does well to...
00:55:01Rectify...
00:55:02The situation.
00:55:03And win it back.
00:55:04That's good play from the youngster.
00:55:07Oh, Engels.
00:55:08Pushed to the ground.
00:55:10I just wonder if that injury is just making him a little bit nervous.
00:55:13Yeah.
00:55:14When he's on the ball and he's been challenged.
00:55:15He's caught there again though.
00:55:16He's caught away.
00:55:18Decent play from Donovan after making a little mistake.
00:55:20He managed to retrieve it.
00:55:22Just the...
00:55:24The way the game's set up.
00:55:25Jerry, you're talking about the third goal.
00:55:26It's set up.
00:55:27It leans towards Celtic perfectly now.
00:55:292-0.
00:55:31I'm laughing there.
00:55:32That's why I didn't say anything when he came on.
00:55:33Because I noticed that...
00:55:34The...
00:55:35Iredale had put on a different...
00:55:36Put on someone else's shot.
00:55:37They're trying to get the right jersey.
00:55:38Yeah, they're trying to get the right jersey.
00:55:39He's obviously got on the right shorts.
00:55:40But he's got on Megua's top.
00:55:42And I'm looking at the glass.
00:55:43That's not Megua.
00:55:45So, em...
00:55:46Look, McCown having a laugh there, but...
00:55:49I think it's a bit too tight for him as well.
00:55:51So, they'll get that sorted out.
00:55:52His hips come down the right-hand side.
00:55:55Cadent just keeps that in.
00:55:56But look who's back there.
00:55:59In a left-back position.
00:56:00Not over.
00:56:01And dies in Maeda.
00:56:02Oh, there we go.
00:56:03There we go.
00:56:06Iredale getting his actual jersey.
00:56:10I think it was just in such a hurry to go on.
00:56:12He just grabbed the first jersey he could find.
00:56:14First jersey, yeah.
00:56:15That's it.
00:56:16Realised it was a bit tight.
00:56:19Throw in to Hibs.
00:56:21On the right, five and a half minutes plus injury time left in the half.
00:56:24Hibs would love a go back and give them something to fight for in the second half.
00:56:28Long throw.
00:56:29Edge of the six-yard box.
00:56:31Head it on.
00:56:32Out comes Casper Schmeichel.
00:56:33Easy take.
00:56:35We experienced Dane.
00:56:37He's looking forward, of course.
00:56:40Literally.
00:56:41to the Royal Cup Playoffs.
00:56:43Having been on the receiving end of a Kieran Tierney.
00:56:48Um.
00:56:49Denk Kieran brought it up.
00:56:50Denk he brought it up when he came back from the...
00:56:52Yeah.
00:56:53Well, apparently Casper sent my text anyway on the night.
00:56:55Oh, did he?
00:56:56Yeah.
00:56:57He didn't say what he said.
00:56:58But, um.
00:56:59No and Casper all have been, uh.
00:57:00Tongue in cheek.
00:57:01They've been supportive.
00:57:06Maeda cuts inside.
00:57:07A little back heel finds a teammate.
00:57:09Donovan now.
00:57:12Out to McCown.
00:57:14Back it comes to McGregor.
00:57:16We're inside the final five minutes of regulation time in the first half.
00:57:20Hibs nil.
00:57:21Celtic two at Easter Road.
00:57:22Celtic looking to cut the gap on Hearts at the top to just two points with a win this afternoon.
00:57:28First time pass there from Engels.
00:57:30O'Hora just manages to muscle Yang out of the way.
00:57:35Obita now up into the Celtic half, being chased by McCown.
00:57:43Forward by Airedale looking for Boyle but Trusty wins the header.
00:57:51Now O'Hora.
00:58:00Back to Salinger.
00:58:06Goes long this time.
00:58:10Donovan kept his eye on that.
00:58:12McCown.
00:58:13Back to Schmeichel.
00:58:14Gives it to Scales first time.
00:58:26Scales to Saracci.
00:58:30McGregor wants it.
00:58:34Gives it back to Saracci.
00:58:35Engels, scorer of that second goal.
00:58:47Martin O'Neill speaking about the processes that are just taking a little bit longer than expected to bring the new manager in.
00:59:00Good turn from Engels.
00:59:04Can't release the pass quickly so just waits for support provided by Saracci.
00:59:08Feds that one through two.
00:59:09Dyson Maeda being chased away from goal by Bashiri.
00:59:12But Yang's there.
00:59:13So too Saracci.
00:59:14Now McGregor.
00:59:16Celtic working into the middle of the park.
00:59:17Donovan.
00:59:18Hattati.
00:59:19Hattati.
00:59:20Back to Trusty.
00:59:22Donovan.
00:59:26Forward by Hattati.
00:59:27Engels.
00:59:28Lovely flick back to McGregor.
00:59:30Oh what a bit of passing this is.
00:59:33Oh and it's Saracci and it's off the post.
00:59:34What a move.
00:59:35That is the move of the first half from Celtic.
00:59:37Saracci can't believe he's not hit the target with that one.
00:59:40I'm going to say he's got a score only because of the move.
00:59:44Great bit of play with Celtic.
00:59:46A little back heel from Maeda at the end and that would have just been nice and the cake.
00:59:50Just slightly comes across it.
00:59:53As you see there.
00:59:54And it goes away and hits south side of the post.
00:59:57But a fantastic move from Celtic.
00:59:58It's just a pity he can't finish that off.
01:00:03Yeah.
01:00:04The Uruguayan captain there with the finish.
01:00:06Off the post.
01:00:07That really would have sealed the deal for the boys.
01:00:12Still comfortably ahead Mulligan.
01:00:16Free kick there.
01:00:18From Yang.
01:00:20Body check.
01:00:22On the Hibs midfielder.
01:00:28Jamie McGrath over this one.
01:00:42Signed of course from Aberdeen.
01:00:49Celtic with a high defensive line and it comes on the diagonal from McGrath.
01:00:53Bowie with the header but...
01:00:55Everyone just leaves that because Schmeichel was there to...
01:00:59Collect the header.
01:01:02And release the ball to Sirachi.
01:01:04Now McGregor.
01:01:06All eyes on the fourth official.
01:01:08That will tell us how many additional minutes there will be.
01:01:14I imagine there will be three or four potentially that injury.
01:01:17A couple of goals.
01:01:18Yeah the head knock too.
01:01:19Yeah the head knock.
01:01:20The Cadden substitution.
01:01:22Yep.
01:01:23Fair amount of stoppage.
01:01:25Oh McGregor trying to play the quick ball forward.
01:01:32It was cut out but...
01:01:33Thankfully Hibs can't make anything of it.
01:01:35Back to Schmeichel who kicks it up towards the centre circle.
01:01:40Yeah I think I hear the announcer saying six additional minutes.
01:01:47Just wait for confirmation of that.
01:01:49And...
01:01:50I think I hear the announcer saying six additional minutes.
01:02:00Just wait for confirmation of that.
01:02:02There's still plenty of football to be played in this first half.
01:02:14Quick ball forward by Hibs but Scales is there to cut it out.
01:02:28No, I'm now hearing it was three minutes.
01:02:29I don't know.
01:02:30You and I both thought we heard six but...
01:02:31Yeah I thought we heard six.
01:02:32Let's age for you.
01:02:33Celtic are up two.
01:02:34We know that.
01:02:35Hibs have a throw in.
01:02:36Hibs have a throw in.
01:02:38Piredale...
01:02:40There we go.
01:02:41Let's age for you.
01:02:42Let's age for you.
01:02:43Celtic are up two.
01:02:45We know that.
01:02:48Hibs have a throw in.
01:02:50Hibs have a throw in.
01:02:51Piredale
01:02:52in an attempt to
01:02:54go for the long throw
01:02:56into the big guys that have come up.
01:02:58In comes the throw.
01:03:00Ball breaks outside the box.
01:03:02Shot
01:03:03into the area there.
01:03:06One from Chaiwatch straight into the body of Kasper Schmeichel
01:03:36Just over 30 seconds between the two Celtic goals
01:03:44It really was a quick double, here's Yang
01:03:49Celtic finishing the first half strongly
01:03:54We have a corner kick
01:03:57So it really was a case of wham bam
01:04:00Two goals
01:04:03Yeah it was a rapid double blow that's taken the wind well and truly out the sails of Hibbs
01:04:09It's a perfect situation for Celtic
01:04:11And Celtic here with a chance to maybe go for a third corner kick on the left
01:04:16To be swung in by Engels as Trusty and Scales both come forward
01:04:20Engels has a look at the targets
01:04:33Referee blows for a free kick there against Liam Scales
01:04:37On the edge of the six-yard box
01:04:40And we've almost played three minutes
01:04:47Oh, I can see that Scales has got a bit of Bashiri's jersey but Bashiri basically wrestling Liam Scales to the ground
01:04:54That was the half-time whistle sounds at Easter Roads
01:04:58It was a game that was kind of going nowhere
01:05:00It needed a goal, Celtic got two
01:05:02They got two in a minute
01:05:04Salinger's mistake
01:05:06Hatati pounced on it
01:05:07Found his teammate Dyson Maeda
01:05:09To slot into the empty net with his left foot
01:05:11And then just 33 seconds later after the game restarted
01:05:14Celtic got the ball again
01:05:16And Yang worked out across on the left-hand side
01:05:19Onto the head of Arne Engels
01:05:21Who got a boot in the face from Jamie McGrath
01:05:23But the header
01:05:24In off
01:05:25Salinger
01:05:26Gives Celtic a quick double
01:05:28And that's how the first half ends here
01:05:30That Easter Road with Celtic well on top
01:05:33In this SPFL fixture
01:05:35It is Ibs 0 Celtic 2
01:05:46And here's a chance for Celtic
01:05:54Oh, Edward just took his eye off that one
01:05:56As the ball came to him and perhaps Ibs on the break
01:05:59But it's well broken up by Scott Brown
01:06:00Edward playing it into space for Bork
01:06:02What an early chance for Celtic
01:06:03Oli Bork there
01:06:04Can Sinclair follow up?
01:06:05It comes off the defender
01:06:07And out I think for the corner kick on this near side
01:06:10Oh in fact Willie Collins giving the goal kick
01:06:13But what an early start there for Oli Bork and Scott Sinclair
01:06:15Celtic captain driving forward
01:06:20It's a nice pass inside to Forrest
01:06:22What can he do?
01:06:23He can give it to Edward
01:06:24It's a great chance for Edward
01:06:26And he's lost his footing
01:06:28But still Celtic have it
01:06:29James Forrest on the volley
01:06:30Comes off
01:06:31McGregor
01:06:32Oh what a chance that was for Edward
01:06:34But I think he just got his foot caught in the turf
01:06:36Before he got the shot away
01:06:45There's odds on Edward
01:06:49And now Kieran Tierney in some space on the left hand side
01:06:51It's a great ball
01:06:52And Marciano comes out and does well
01:06:54To punch that one clear
01:06:56Oli Bork and the follower
01:06:57And his volley was over the bar
01:06:59And a really good chance
01:07:01A great cross from Tierney
01:07:02Maybe a little bit too close to the goalkeeper
01:07:04But Marciano you have to credit him with a good save
01:07:15Ayer again cuts inside
01:07:17Tries to find the space
01:07:18Finds Edward
01:07:19And a little bit of space
01:07:20But he's quickly closed down
01:07:21Forrest now
01:07:22Options ahead of him
01:07:23One on the left hand side is Tierney
01:07:25First time cross is a searching one
01:07:27High to the far side
01:07:28No takers
01:07:29Oli Bork chases this one back
01:07:31And does well
01:07:32And Lustig has it
01:07:33Now Forrest
01:07:3525 yards from goal
01:07:36In a central position
01:07:37Cuts back onto his right foot
01:07:39Does well
01:07:40Can he get the shot away?
01:07:41He can!
01:07:42Oh yes!
01:07:46What a goal from James Forrest
01:07:5061 minutes gone
01:07:52James Forrest picked up the ball
01:07:5425 yards from goal
01:07:56He cut back onto his right foot
01:07:58He made the space for the shot
01:08:00And what a shot it was
01:08:02High past Marciano
01:08:04Into the top right hand corner of the goal
01:08:09And Celtic have the lead
01:08:10We spoke in the first half Jerry about
01:08:12You know half chances that Celtic have created
01:08:14It didn't seem like there was much on
01:08:16James Forrest as soon as the ball left his foot though
01:08:19From our angle
01:08:20You knew it was going in
01:08:21I think he knew himself
01:08:22He takes one look at the goal
01:08:23Just one look at the goal
01:08:24And he's already
01:08:25Half celebrating
01:08:26Marciano's played well
01:08:27He's a great save in the first half
01:08:29But there is no way he was stopping that
01:08:31That's a fantastic goal
01:08:32Celtic worthy of the lead
01:08:34But an absolute cracker from James Forrest
01:08:36Oh Scott Brown does well now
01:08:45Edward's one on one
01:08:47And he's passed the last man
01:08:48Across comes Hanlon
01:08:49But Edward's through
01:08:50Can he cut inside?
01:08:51He's onto his left foot
01:08:52Hanlon with a good challenge there on Edward
01:08:55Who picks up the return
01:08:56It's a good pass to Scott Brown
01:08:57What can he do?
01:08:58And Scott Brown fires one high
01:09:01Into the roof of the net
01:09:02He's done it again
01:09:04Captain Fantastic
01:09:06Gives Celtic the second goal
01:09:09At Easter Road
01:09:10Credit to Odds and Edward
01:09:11With the set up
01:09:12Well Scott Brown
01:09:14One thing was lacking in his game this season
01:09:16Was goals
01:09:17Goodness me
01:09:18That's his third
01:09:19In recent weeks
01:09:21And surely now
01:09:22That's Celtic into the semi-finals
01:09:24It never rains but it pours Gerry
01:09:26And Scott Brown
01:09:28Not only is he scoring goals
01:09:29He doesn't seem to know how to score
01:09:31A straightforward goal
01:09:32He's rattled that into the net
01:09:34What a fantastic goal
01:09:35Odds and Edward
01:09:36Just a credit to him
01:09:37It was Scott Brown that won the initial ball
01:09:39Odds and Edward is sharp on to the break
01:09:41It's a good tackle from Paul Hanlon
01:09:43But Odds and Edward doesn't give up
01:09:44He gets the ball out wide
01:09:45Plays Scott Brown in
01:09:46And what an emphatic finish
01:09:48Brilliant from the captain
01:09:49Brilliant from Edward
01:09:50Brilliant from Celtic
01:09:51Brilliant from Celtic
01:09:52The final whistle goes here at Easter Road
01:09:58Brendan Rodgers didn't manage to do it in his time at Celtic
01:10:01And Neil Lennon has done it
01:10:03At the first time of asking on his return
01:10:05Namely
01:10:06Win at Easter Road
01:10:08What an important week it has been
01:10:10The win at Tynecastle
01:10:11Kept Celtic
01:10:12Eight points clear at the top of the table
01:10:14And the win here today at Easter Road
01:10:16Means
01:10:17Dare I say it
01:10:18The treble is still on
01:10:22Dyson Maeda
01:10:25Seeing a lot of possession
01:10:26Taking on Cardin and a one-on-one there
01:10:28Maeda
01:10:29Difficult ball across
01:10:30Aaron Moy with his first goal for Celtic
01:10:33Look what it means to him
01:10:3527 minutes gone
01:10:37Great work from Dyson Maeda
01:10:39And Aaron Moy with the opening goal
01:10:41Brilliant play
01:10:43Brilliant play
01:10:44Down the left hand side
01:10:45This is why Maeda is in the team
01:10:47Selfless work
01:10:48He's put a couple into this dangerous area
01:10:51You know what he's going to do with the pace
01:10:54More than willing to come on the outside
01:10:56Nice little clip
01:10:57Break of the ball there
01:10:58And it falls at Moy's feet
01:11:00And it's a great finish
01:11:01Yeah I'm sure Moy couldn't believe that
01:11:04When that was dropping down
01:11:06But he powered in that half volley
01:11:08And all the credit goes to Dyson Maeda
01:11:10For that one
01:11:11He's plugged away down that left hand side
01:11:14Positive play Jerry
01:11:16Just willing to go on the outside
01:11:18Thrust his weaker foot probably
01:11:20Puts the ball into a dangerous area
01:11:22We get the break of the ball
01:11:24That's a decent finish
01:11:42Maeda
01:11:44To good effect
01:11:45Oh the space has opened up for him
01:11:47Oh he's gone for goal
01:11:48And it's absolutely stunning from Dyson Maeda
01:11:52Stunning
01:11:5410 minutes left in the half
01:11:56And the space just opened up
01:11:58Ahead
01:11:59Of the Japanese forward
01:12:01And as soon as he saw the space
01:12:03He went for the colour
01:12:05And the finishes don't come much better than that
01:12:08Terrific
01:12:09Absolutely terrific
01:12:10It opens up for him as you say Jerry
01:12:12But he's still got to execute it
01:12:14What a strike
01:12:17And if anybody was giving him a little bit of stick
01:12:19After he's missed
01:12:2160 seconds or so before
01:12:23You know what
01:12:24What a finish that is
01:12:25Well Dyson Maeda
01:12:26Has stepped up tonight
01:12:28He's been Celtic's best player
01:12:303.5 minutes
01:12:39The first half to go
01:12:41The shot there from Hanlon
01:12:43I think it was Hatati
01:12:45I think they got a flick on that one
01:12:46Yeah
01:12:47Flipped it into the path of Hanlon
01:12:49His shot came off the path
01:12:50It came off the post
01:12:51He had Johar beaten
01:12:52So half beaten
01:12:59Taylor
01:13:00Get the run from Maeda
01:13:01What a pass
01:13:02What a pick out
01:13:03Oh and the pass across the face of the goal
01:13:05From Dyson Maeda
01:13:07Penalty kick to Celtic
01:13:10And that's the unselfish side of Maeda
01:13:12What a pass though
01:13:13It's a great pass
01:13:14Inside the full back
01:13:16From Greg Taylor
01:13:18I think he should
01:13:19Not and take it on his right
01:13:21He tries to pick out Kyogo
01:13:22Yeah there's the hand ball off Stevenson
01:13:24That was a penalty kick
01:13:26That looks like
01:13:29It's gonna be
01:13:30Aaron Moy
01:13:31Well he's got his first
01:13:33No Juranovic
01:13:34No Jakimakis
01:13:35Aaron Moy says
01:13:36I fancy this
01:13:37Well we know he can hit the ball well
01:13:38Is it going to be 2 for Moy
01:13:40He said the next goal would be crucial
01:13:43And here's a chance to grab it
01:13:45Moy from the spot
01:13:48No problem for Aaron Moy
01:13:51He makes it a Moy double
01:13:53And Celtic
01:13:54A 3
01:13:55Cooly slotted
01:13:58Aaron Moy
01:13:59Takes his tally to 2
01:14:01Now hunting down the hat trick
01:14:06Great pair away
01:14:23Oh brilliant from McGregor
01:14:24Brilliant from
01:14:25Brilliant from
01:14:26Carly McGregor
01:14:27Now Hattate
01:14:28What a pass to Kyogo
01:14:29On the right foot
01:14:30Back onto the left
01:14:31Kyogo
01:14:32With a classy finish
01:14:34Makes it Hibs nil
01:14:36Celtic 4
01:14:37Celtic 4
01:14:38Different class
01:14:39Different class
01:14:41The pass
01:14:42The take
01:14:43The disguise
01:14:44The finish
01:14:46Superb goal
01:14:47It is goal number 15 of the season
01:14:55The run
01:14:56He offers himself a little spin there
01:14:58The pass in the take
01:14:59Works himself inside the defender
01:15:01Works himself inside the defender
01:15:02When he's off
01:15:03Compatriate knows where he's wanting it
01:15:06The disguise
01:15:07Coolness
01:15:08In the finish
01:15:09Great goal
01:15:10Yeah you'd have forgiven him for hitting it there but
01:15:13He knew if he just dragged it back onto his left he could just side foot that one under David Marshall
01:15:20And if Celtic were out of sight by three
01:15:23No they're just loving it at four
01:15:34Celtic coming forward
01:15:35Yakimakis on the inside left channel
01:15:39Against Bashiri
01:15:40Lays it back to O'Reilly
01:15:41Almost the first goal of the season
01:15:43For Matt O'Reilly
01:15:44But David Marshall
01:15:46With the left glove
01:15:49Kept that one out
01:15:53Hi everyone Paul McStay here
01:16:10It's an honour for me to tell you about Celtic FC Foundation's 2025 Christmas Appeal
01:16:16At this moment in time the Foundation is involved in providing more support and services for those in need
01:16:22Than at any other point in the club's history
01:16:25Whilst that need for support is ever-present and far-reaching
01:16:29The festive period is the time when hardships are felt most profoundly
01:16:35Through this year's Christmas Appeal
01:16:37As always we will aim to bring some comfort and joy to those who need it most
01:16:41Across our local communities
01:16:43We'll be supporting families facing poverty
01:16:45Pensioners
01:16:46Women and children in refuge
01:16:48The homeless community and refugees
01:16:50Along with a host of others who are experiencing hardships
01:16:55And through our Paradise Pit Stop initiative
01:16:58Which operates four days a week, all year round
01:17:01We will once again open the doors of our home
01:17:03Celtic Park for a very special Christmas Day offering
01:17:07Providing a festive meal and the warmest of welcomes
01:17:10Our Christmas Appeal will touch thousands of lives this festive period
01:17:15And we humbly ask you, the Celtic support, to stand with us
01:17:18And help make a positive difference to those who need it most
01:17:21To support the 2025 Christmas Appeal
01:17:26You can donate online via PayPal
01:17:29By text, check or through collection boxes in Celtic stores
01:17:34Or you can get involved in one of our Christmas Appeal fundraising events at
01:17:41CelticChristmasAppeal.com
01:17:43Your incredible compassion and generosity will help us to continue the mission of Celtic
01:17:49Thank you so much for sharing the spirit of Christmas
01:18:04Friends, you can do that
01:18:23With us, believe in the best way to share the spirit of Christmas
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