2014-01-26: Hibernian 0-4 Celtic, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2013 – 2014 | 2013-14 Pictures

Trivia

• Celtic now on 60pts, 15pts ahead of Aberdeen and two games in hand.
• Celtic have played 855minutes without conceding a goal in the league.
• Debut for Johansen
• Uefa close section 127 for Ajax – Red Bull Salzburg, because of their "Fenian Bastard" banner during Ajax – Celtic game. Good news!
• Celtic's Euro exploits place them in top 40 richest clubs in the world (acc to Deloitte), Real Madrid top.
• Alex Thompson apologies for his blog on Celtic, see link. "But to galvanize that important debate I went well over the top and I apologise. No ifs, no buts."
• Terracing: Celtic pushing again for terracing, and reports appear to indicate this is becoming increasingly likely.
  Neil Lennon to sue papers for phone hacking.
• Ex-Parkhead striker Jorge Cadete is living off benefits and staying with his parents despite earning around £3m from his career which also included stints at Benfica, Sporting Lisbon and Celta Vigo. The Portuguese striker blamed two divorces and a number of bad investments for his predicament.
• Suggestion for match: to mark 20th anniversary of Celtic takeover fans attending first home game of March 2014 wear a bunnet (for Fergus McCann).
• January Transfer Window Open
• Gefle said to expect a bid from Celtic for their talented youngster Tshutshu Tshakasua.
• Coventry City are said to be closing in on the loan signing of Dylan McGeouch from Celtic.
• Celtic deny claims they are in for Israeli pair Omar Damari and Eyal Golasa.
• Shrewsbury Town have completed the loan signing of Celtic striker Bahrudin Atajic on a loan deal

Review

(sweetleftfoot of KDS)
Great result-4-0 definitely flattered us.I thought Hibs played fairly well and they
definitely should have had a penalty.Samaras was okay for 20 minutes then his
usual empty jersey routine.Forster made one brilliant save and another couple of solid ones.

Commons provided his usual threat ,Pukki looked a bit better and the free-kick was an absolute peach.
Couldn't accuse ref of anti-Celt bias.Butcher would suggest he was pro-Celt.

I couldn't care less about going through league season undefeated.I would like to see all the new boys
getting a run in the side.Hopefully Samaras won't feature again.

(lenobhoy of KDS)
We clearly lack something in midfield, someone able to dictate play and set the tempo of the game, so let's hope Johnson is the player that can solve that problem. Our passing and final ball was missing at times today, with players giving away the ball when under no pressure at all. Biton, Ledley, Brown and Samaras are not going to be creating a hellavu lot and we rely too heavily on Commons to turn the game something when he gets the ball. Really cannot for the life of me see why we continue to play with Samaras and Ledley when we know that they will either run down their contracts or leave before the window closes.

Foster really showed how good a keeper he is when called upon.

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Stats

Hibernian Celtic
Possession
55% 45%
90mins

Shots
11 13

On target
5 7

Corners
7 7

Fouls
14 10

Articles

By Alistair Watson (AFP) – 1 hour ago

Edinburgh — The relentless Celtic march on retaining the title continued on Sunday as the Glasgow giants sealed their 11th victory in a row with three late goals in a 4-0 win over Hibernian at Easter Road.

Victory sent the Hoops 15 points clear of Aberdeen at the top of the Scottish Premiership as they extended their unbeaten start to the season to 22 games and kept their ninth consecutive clean sheet in the league for the first time since the 1920s.

When Kris Commons scored the opener in the eighth minute a heavy defeat looked inevitable for Hibs, who have with this defeat lost three in a row.

However, the Easter Road outfit are one of only three teams to have take points off the Scottish champions this season in a 1-1 draw in October and they did their best to derail Neil Lennon's side.

Only a string of fine saves from Fraser Forster to deny Abdellah Zoubir and Sam Stanton kept Celtic in front while James Collins had a first half penalty claim turned down.

A magnificent 77th minute free-kick from Dutchman Virgil van Dijk made it 2-0 before second half substitute Teemu Pukki fired home in the 83rd minute.

Commons then netted from the penalty spot in the 90th minute after Pukki had been brought down to score a double for the third consecutive match.

"To come here and win 4-0 probably flattered us but I always thought we would win the game," Lennon said.

"We had to withstand 15-20 minutes of pressure and my goalkeeper had to make a couple of good saves. So it shows we are not going to get everything our own way and you need to dig in but our quality came through."

Hibernian boss Terry Butcher was despondent in defeat.

"I thought we did a lot of things well and had a good spell in the opening part of the second half," he said.

"We had some good chances and some good opportunities and Forster has made some good saves. We didn't deserve a 4-0 defeat and I thought we were in the game for a long period of time."

Forster hasn't conceded in over 13 hours of domestic football but the English 'keeper had to be alert early on as Alex Harris drilled a fierce effort just by the post.

However, the in-form Commons only had to wait until the eighth minute to score the opening goal for Celtic for the 12th time this season.

Hibs defenders Michael Nelson and Jordon Forster collided as they both tried to deal with a long, high ball and it broke to Commons who calmly sent a left strike over the advancing Ben Williams.

Hibs responded well to their setback and minutes later they had a penalty claim turned down when van Dijk appeared to clip the ankles of Collins in the box.

It was Hibs who again tested Celtic with Forster pulling off two wonder saves to deny Zoubir twice in quick succession.

The keeper made a fingertip save to turn to stop the Hibernian forward's curling effort dipping into the top corner and, from the resultant corner, he got down well to smartly beat away Abdallah's Zoubir's stinging strike from 20 yards.

Forster then made an outstanding save to keep his clean sheet record intact as he stuck up a hand to tip away a fierce strike from Stanton.

Celtic seemed to be toiling but a magnificent free-kick from Van Dijk doubled Celtic's advantage as the Dutchman curled the set piece into the top corner from 22 yards.

Pukki made sure of the points with a drilled angled shot after he cut into the box from the right.

The Finnish striker then earned his side a penalty, which Commons expertly despatched, when Alan Maybury barged into him in the box.Copyright © 2014 AFP. All rights reserved.

BBC

By Keir Murray BBC Sport Scotland

Celtic earned an 11th consecutive Scottish Premiership win and extended their lead to 15 points after overcoming a valiant Hibernian.

Terry Butcher's side had Celtic under the cosh for much of the second half but were pole-axed by fine finishing.

Kris Commons seized on a defensive mix-up to slot Celtic ahead early on.

Fraser Forster made great saves from Abdellah Zoubir and Sam Stanton before goals by Virgil van Dijk, Teemu Pukki and Commons' second confirmed the win.
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Free-scoring midfielder Commons had already served Hibs with a warning when he received a Georgios Samaras pass and advanced only to slip just as he was about to shoot.

But he would be more clinical in the eighth minute, Michael Nelson and Forster, playing in central defence in the absence of Paul Hanlon, got in one another's way at the edge of the area as they went to head away Emilio Izaguirre's speculative high ball.

Commons was quick to pounce, chesting the ball down and surging into the Hibs area before beating Ben Williams with ease from eight yards.

Dithering by Efe Ambrose had given Hibs a second-minute corner from which Alex Harris fired a few feet wide, and their second chance was every bit as inviting.

Captain Liam Craig and Harris combined out on the left wing and Harris's in-swinging cross was met by Nelson, rising high above Izaguirre in the six-yard box, but the header went straight at Forster.

James Collins' main contribution in the first period was a strong penalty claim in 12 minutes when Van Dijk clipped his leg, but his 19-year-old support striker Stanton, making his first start, offered more movement and invention.

He had a 16-yard shot saved by Forster and then curled an effort over the bar in the first half.

The travelling fans might have expected Commons' opener to signal an onslaught but it did not materialise by half-time.
Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster

Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster made a trio of excellent saves to deny Hibs when the score was 1-0

Samaras showed lovely skill to dribble through the Hibs defence but his shot was tame and Joe Ledley's blast at goal from 10 yards might have burst the net had Nelson not made a block.

Butcher had urged his players to be "brave on the ball" and to press the runaway league leaders but the opening 10 minutes of the second half typified their struggle.

Celtic knocked the ball around at will, with substitute Pukki desperate to get on the end of a telling pass. When Hibs did win possession, they could retain it only fleetingly.

The Leith side stuck to their task, however, and drew confidence from the chances they soon created.

Forster's goal had not been breached in the Scottish Premiership for 821 minutes by the time he pulled off the first of three superb saves.

Zoubir's curler from the left was heading for the top right-hand corner but the big Englishman managed to tip it away.

A minute later the Frenchman arrowed a low shot, with his left foot this time, that he must have thought was going in. Again, though, Forster made the stop, diving low to his right.
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The Celtic goalkeeper's best was yet to come, though. Stanton's pirouette on the edge of the box took him away from Charlie Mulgrew but his fierce shot was somehow diverted wide by Forster at full stretch.

It was a cruel blow, then, for Hibs when Celtic won a free-kick 20 yards from goal and Dutch defender Van Dijk fired home a sublime strike.

As heads dropped Pukki got on the scoresheet with a fizzing 14-yard shot from the right of the box that Williams ought to have parried.

And the Finn was the key to Celtic's final goal when he was bundled over in the area by Alan Maybury in the 89th minute.

Commons' finish from the penalty spot was as emphatic as the final score, though it masks the contribution Hibs made to the second half.

Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Hibernian 0, Celtic 4.
90:00 +2:03 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Hibernian 0, Celtic 4.
89:28 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Hibernian 0, Celtic 4. Kris Commons (Celtic) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom left corner.
89:00

Penalty Celtic. Teemu Pukki draws a foul in the penalty area.
88:48

Penalty conceded by Alan Maybury (Hibernian) after a foul in the penalty area.
86:56 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Stefan Johansen replaces Charlie Mulgrew.
85:16

Foul by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic).
85:16

Alan Maybury (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
84:36 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Amido Baldé replaces Georgios Samaras.
84:04 Booking

Booking Liam Craig (Hibernian) is shown the yellow card.
84:00

Joe Ledley (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
83:53

Foul by Liam Craig (Hibernian).
82:10 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Hibernian 0, Celtic 3. Teemu Pukki (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Joe Ledley.
81:17 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Hibernian. Paul Heffernan replaces Tom Taiwo.
78:45

Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Celtic).
78:45

James Collins (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
77:35

Darnell Fisher (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
77:35

Foul by James Collins (Hibernian).
76:29 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Hibernian 0, Celtic 2. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) from a free kick with a right footed shot to the top left corner.
75:56 Booking

Booking Michael Nelson (Hibernian) is shown the yellow card.
75:31

Hand ball by Michael Nelson (Hibernian).
73:45

Attempt missed. Teemu Pukki (Celtic) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is close, but misses to the right.
68:55

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
68:55

Abdellah Zoubir (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
67:55

Attempt saved. Scott Brown (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
67:41

Foul by Tom Taiwo (Hibernian).
67:41

Darnell Fisher (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
66:52

Attempt missed. James Collins (Hibernian) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left.
66:22

Corner, Hibernian. Conceded by Fraser Forster.
66:02

Attempt saved. Samuel Stanton (Hibernian) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top right corner.
64:42

Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
64:42

James Collins (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
60:04

Attempt saved. Scott Brown (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
59:36

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Lewis Stevenson.
57:08

Corner, Hibernian. Conceded by Fraser Forster.
57:00

Attempt saved. Abdellah Zoubir (Hibernian) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
56:43

Corner, Hibernian. Conceded by Fraser Forster.
56:32

Attempt saved. Abdellah Zoubir (Hibernian) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.
55:56

Corner, Hibernian. Conceded by Darnell Fisher.
54:35

Foul by Liam Craig (Hibernian).
54:35

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
52:20

Foul by Alan Maybury (Hibernian).
52:20

Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
52:07

Attempt blocked. Liam Craig (Hibernian) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
51:02

Liam Craig (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
51:02

Foul by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic).
50:05

Corner, Hibernian. Conceded by Darnell Fisher.
48:59

Attempt blocked. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
48:24

Foul by Liam Craig (Hibernian).
48:24

Teemu Pukki (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
48:00

Foul by James Collins (Hibernian).
48:00

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
47:08

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Liam Craig.
46:25

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alan Maybury.
45:00

Second Half begins Hibernian 0, Celtic 1.
45:00 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Teemu Pukki replaces Nir Biton.
45:00 +0:03 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Hibernian 0, Celtic 1.
44:37

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Michael Nelson.
44:31

Attempt blocked. Joe Ledley (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
42:00

Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
41:56

Foul by James Collins (Hibernian).
41:10

Attempt missed. Samuel Stanton (Hibernian) left footed shot from the right side of the box is just a bit too high.
40:16

Samuel Stanton (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
40:16

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
34:29

Liam Craig (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
34:29

Foul by Nir Biton (Celtic).
33:55

Attempt blocked. Liam Craig (Hibernian) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
33:10

Abdellah Zoubir (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
33:10

Foul by Joe Ledley (Celtic).
31:25

Attempt missed. Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left from a direct free kick.
30:17

Foul by Samuel Stanton (Hibernian).
30:17

Georgios Samaras (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
29:28

Corner, Hibernian. Conceded by Emilio Izaguirre.
29:12

Attempt saved. Samuel Stanton (Hibernian) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
26:31

Attempt saved. Georgios Samaras (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
22:52

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Abdellah Zoubir.
22:32

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Liam Craig.
21:52

Attempt missed. Nir Biton (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
20:42

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Michael Nelson.
19:56

Attempt saved. Michael Nelson (Hibernian) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner.
19:18

Samuel Stanton (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
19:18

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
18:26 Booking

Booking Tom Taiwo (Hibernian) is shown the yellow card.
18:19

Foul by Tom Taiwo (Hibernian).
18:19

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
17:09

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
16:37

Foul by Alan Maybury (Hibernian).
16:37

Georgios Samaras (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
14:35

Attempt missed. James Collins (Hibernian) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
11:41

Samuel Stanton (Hibernian) wins a free kick on the right wing.
11:41

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
8:03 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Hibernian 0, Celtic 1. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner.
6:15

Foul by Tom Taiwo (Hibernian).
6:15

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
1:15

Attempt missed. Alex Harris (Hibernian) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
0:56

Corner, Hibernian. Conceded by Efe Ambrose.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

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