Match Pictures | Matches: 2024 – 2025
Trivia
- KO: 12:30, Saturday, Premier Sports TV, league match 27
- Back to the league after being knocked out of Europe, Celtic still in for the domestic treble.
- Bizarre day with Celtic unexpectedly losing against an admittedly resurgent Hibs who have not lost since Celtic defeated them in December (despite being bottom of the table earlier in the season and absolutely rotten). Sevco then had the advantage to catch up with Celtic, but lost 2-0 at home to St Mirren!
Post-Note: Sevco’s manager was belatedly sacked the next day! - First time both Celtic & Sevco have lost on the same day domestically since 2018.
- So overall, Celtic at the top ended up extending their lead by +1 GD, Celtic on 69pts & +63GD, with Sevco on 56tps & +32GD!
- Referee claims Celtic goal ruled out as “Factually overturned”, looked that it was a guess as Brendan Rodgers said in an interview on BBC Scotland.
Post-note: SFA KMI panel ruled that the goal should have stood! - In early November 2024, Hibernian were bottom of the Scottish Premiership after just one win in their first 12 games. Head coach David Gray was, it seemed, a dead man walking. His departure was surely just a matter of time. A week or two later, after the staggering 3-3 draw with Aberdeen at Easter Road, the Leith side were 23 points behind their visitors. But after this win over Celtic, that gap stands at one!
- Sevco: Reports claim Sevco subject of a multi-million pound takeover bid by American football side the San Francisco 49ers. Reports state that the Ibrox side in advanced talks with potential investors over deal that would see the them become largest single shareholder in the club.
- Out on loan Gustaf Lagerbielke has hinted he wants to turn his loan move to Twente Enschede into a permanent one after the 24-year-old revealed he barely has any contact with his parent club.
- Ex-Celt Evan Williams passed away. RIP
Summary
“So for that, again the disappointment was there naturally because of the nature of how the game ended. But no, I said to the players for us to be sat here feeling like this, it really shows how far you’ve come really because I looked in their eyes after the Dortmund game and that was a real tough one. So it just showed you the mentality and the resilience and the grit that this team have. We had a beer and then got back to training the next day.”
Brendan Rogers prematch after the midweekmatch v Bayern Munich
‘The linesman didn’t think it was out’
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers told BBC Scotland: “I felt we deserved something from the game.
“We didn’t start the game well, clearly. They get the goal early – that gets the team and crowd up. We were a little bit rushed in the first half, just tried to force it and then concede a disappointing goal right on half-time.
“The players were excellent second half, forced the game, put a lot of pressure on and get the goal.
“Then there’s the talking point. I was very disappointed we didn’t get that especially when the linesman didn’t think it was out. He probably has the best view in the whole stadium.
“I don’t know how you can tell the ball is definitely out from an image from the 18-yard line. We need to see evidence the ball was out. If you don’t have that, you’re having a guess.
“Congratulations to Hibs, they defended the box well and our decision-making wasn’t quite there. We got punished for our first-half performance.”
Brendan Rodgers is “hugely disappointed” with the decision to disallow Celtic’s goal today that would have made it 2-2 against Hibernian “My experience here with VAR is that they don’t have all the angles or equipment to say it’s conclusively out.”
Hibernian head coach David Gray told BBC Scotland: “I’m delighted for the players. I challenged them before the game saying every one of them needs to be at the top of their game and I got that from every single player. I thought we fully deserved it.
“We started the game really positively, nice and aggressive in our press and we took our chances.
“I’ve always believed in Josh Campbell. His strengths are his running power and his ability to arrive in the box. The shape of the team helps him showcase his talent.
“Your mentality and character is always going to be tested when Celtic get that goal. Can you find a way to hold out? They are always going to keep pushing.
“I’ve not seen it back [Celtic’s disallowed effort] but I believe it’s fractionally out so I’m delighted the pitch is the size that it is.
“We’re trying to accumulate as many points as we can before the split, and it’s still about catching the team in front of us. It keeps that run going, the feel-good factor going – a massive three points.”
Inside The SPFL @AgentScotland · Huge win for Hibernian, looked stronger, faster and more determined for the first hour, Celtic pushed hard the last half an hour, but left themselves far too much to do, 8 minutes injury time and never created a thing during it tells it’s own story. Hibs legit contenders for 3rd.
E-Tims @ETimsNet · 3h FT Hibs 2 #Celtic 1 Poor first half. Looked half yard off the pace after Munich game. HT chgs and we dominated second half. Thought we’d equalised but VAR disallowed. Hibs did well. Made it tough. Team kept going to the end. Not to be.Rodgers going over to the officials at FT. Looks like the asst ref getting some verbals from him. Brendan “My take is the VAR official Alan Muir has had a guess at it (ball being out of play). For that to be overturned I’m assuming there must be a clear image. Asst ref didn’t put his flag up… We made an awful start to the game. Our level nowhere near good enough. Midweek is not an excuse. We’ve dealt well with it all season. I can’t be too critical of the players as they’ve been absolutely brilliant”
Jimmy Mac of KDS:
To put today into context, we’ve just come off the back of a hard, emotional and strength sapping game in midweek and historically we’ve found post European games tough. Add that Hibs were on a 10 match unbeaten run and then we factor in Brendan’s track record at Easter road. Its only our 2nd loss of the season and I’m not going to be too harsh on the players. The performance wasn’t as bad as our previous defeat where we barely got out of our half. We had a lot of the ball, even first half and on the balance of the 2nd half, we were good for at least a draw. There is no evidence that this is the norm, its an anomaly.
Analysing the game, we struggled at times with a “competitive” Hibs side. The team doesn’t like it when players get tight and in their faces. I thought Trusty and CCV were poor and struggled either to handle their big men or the movement of Campbell and Boyle. Probably the most difficult game they’ve had this season out of Europe. The two goals were horrendous to give away. McGregor uncharacteristically follows the ball, not the man for the first and then the second is a classic goal we give away. AJ is susceptible to the man cutting back in on his right and he had acres of space to put the cross in but again CCV and Trusty were ball watching. Going forward, until Jota came on, I thought the front 3 lacked quality. Kühn’s performances have dropped off and he needs to vary his game more but he did try. Idah was not at the races and Maeda was having one of those games out wide. Once Jota came on and Maeda was through the middle, we looked more threatening and the midfield 3 were getting a grip of the game but I always thought Hibs had an outlet because our central defenders were too easily got at from long balls.
These games are always going to happen and we move on to Tuesday.
Teams
Celtic
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4 – 3 – 3
01 K. Schmeichel
03 G. Taylor 24′, Yellow Card at 24mins, subbed for J. Schlupp at 46mins
06 A. Trusty
20 C. Carter-Vickers
02 A. Johnston 49′, Yellow Card at 49mins
27 A. Engels
42 C. McGregor (c), Captain
14 L. McCowan, subbed for R. Hatate at 46mins
38 D. Maeda
09 A. Idah, subbed for Jota at 46mins
10 N. Kühn
Subs:
59 J. Bonnar
41 R. Hatate
24 J. Kenny
07 Jota
56 A. Ralston
05 L. Scales
15 J. Schlupp
12 V. Sinisalo
13 Yang Hyun-Jun
Goals:
D. Maeda (68′)
Assists:
R. Hatate (68′)
Hibernian
Manager: David Gray
Formation: 3 – 4 – 1 – 2
13 J. Smith
15 J. Iredale
33 R. Bushiri 77′, Yellow Card at 77mins, subbed for M. Ekpiteta at 78mins
05 W. O’Hora
19 N. Cadden
26 N. Triantis
22 N. Moriah-Welsh, subbed for J. Obita at 73mins
02 L. Miller
32 J. Campbell 90’+2, Yellow Card at 90mins plus 2
20 K. Bowie, subbed for M. Kuharevich at 64mins
10 M. Boyle (c), Captain, subbed for J. Hoilett at 78mins
Subs:
35 R. Molotnikov
01 J. Bursik
12 C. Cadden
04 M. Ekpiteta
34 D. Gayle
23 J. Hoilett
99 M. Kuharevich
11 J. Newell
21 J. Obita 90’+5, Yellow Card at 90mins plus 5
Goals:
J. Campbell (2′, 45’+4)
Assists:
N. Triantis (2′), M. Boyle (45’+4)
Referee Steven McLean
Video Assistant Referee Alan Muir
Assistant Referee 1 David Roome
Assistant Referee 2 Alastair Mather
Fourth Official Lloyd Wilson
Assistant VAR Official Ross MacLeod
Venue:Easter Road Stadium
Attendance:18,357
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Overall possession
Hibernian 24.5% Celtic 75.5%
Shots
Hibernian 8 Celtic 14
Shots on target
Hibernian 4 Celtic 4
Total touches inside the box
Hibernian 16 Celtic 36
Goalkeeper saves
Hibernian 2 Celtic 2
Fouls
Hibernian 12 Celtic 11
Corners
Hibernian 5 Celtic 10
Shots
Hibernian 8 Celtic 14
Shots on target
Hibernian 4 Celtic 4
Shots off target
Hibernian 2 Celtic 6
Blocked shots
Hibernian 2 Celtic 4
Attempts out of box
Hibernian 2 Celtic 6
Total offside
Hibernian 6 Celtic 8
Total tackles
Hibernian 18 Celtic 10
Won tackles
Hibernian 10 Celtic 5
Fouls
Hibernian 12 Celtic 11
Total yellow cards
Hibernian 3 Celtic 2
Total clearances
Hibernian 46 Celtic 22
Headed clearances
Hibernian 12 Celtic 16
Duels won
Hibernian 45 Celtic 49
Clearances off the line
Hibernian 1 Celtic 0
Errors leading to shots
Hibernian 0 Celtic 1
Total passes
Hibernian 177 Celtic 575
Accurate passes
Hibernian 108 Celtic 501
Backward passes
Hibernian 18 Celtic 74
Forward passes
Hibernian 100 Celtic 193
Total long balls
Hibernian 49 Celtic 43
Successful final third passes
Hibernian 27 Celtic 151
Total crosses
Hibernian 16 Celtic 31
Touches
Hibernian 379 Celtic 773
Touches in the box
Hibernian 16 Celtic 36
Dispossessed
Hibernian 5 Celtic 6
Goalkeeper saves
Hibernian 2 Celtic 2
Diving saves
Hibernian 0 Celtic 1
Saved shots from inside the box
Hibernian 2 Celtic 1
Saved shots from outside the box
Hibernian 1 Celtic 1
Keeper throws
Hibernian 5 Celtic 5
Goal kicks
Hibernian 12 Celtic 4
Punches
Hibernian 1 Celtic 0
Pre Match
Match Facts
Hibernian have won just one of their last 24 meetings with Celtic across all competitions (D7 L16), a 4-2 league win in May 2023 under Lee Johnson.
Celtic have won both of their last two league visits to Hibernian, this after only winning two of their previous 12 away league games against Hibs beforehand (D7 L3).
Hibernian are unbeaten in 10 league games (W6 D4), the longest ongoing run in this season’s Scottish Premiership – although their last defeat was to Celtic in December (0-3). Hibs last went longer without losing in the competition in May 2018 under Neil Lennon (12 games).
Celtic have won six of their last seven league games (D1), including each of their last three in a row by an aggregate score of 12-1, scoring at least three goals each time. The Hoops last won more Scottish Premiership matches in a row while scoring 3+ goals in each in March 2023 under Ange Postecoglou (run of 6).
After his goal against Dundee United last time out, Celtic’s Callum McGregor now has 49 goals and 49 assists in the Scottish Premiership. Since the competition’s rebrand in 2013, only two players – James Tavernier (83 goals, 79 assists) and James Forrest (58 goals, 55 assists) – have reached both 50+ goals and 50+ assists in the division.
Articles
Rare defeat at Easter Road
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/february/22/rare-defeat-at-easter-road/
Match Report
By Matthew Campbell
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22 Feb 2025, 2:45 pm
Scottish Premiership
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Easter Road, Edinburgh
HIBS…2
(Campbell 2 & 45 +4)
CELTIC…1
(Maeda 68)
After the efforts of Tuesday night’s match against Bayern Munich in Germany, Celtic suffered a 2-1 defeat today at Easter Road where they faced David Gray’s Hibernian.
The home side got off to the best possible start when they took the lead in the second minute of the match.
Nectar Triantis drove forward from midfield with the ball at his feet and slipped a pass to Josh Campbell who finished in to the bottom corner from inside the box.
And five minutes later, David Gray’s men almost doubled their lead when Keiron Bowie got a shot away inside the box, but Kasper Schmeichel made an excellent save to prevent the goal.
The Celts seemed to settle in to the game after Schmeichel’s save as they began to take control of possession and in the 12th minute Luke McCowan almost scored from a cross which was aimed towards the back post, but Jordan Smith was able to punch the ball behind for a corner.
As the first half progressed towards the 20-minute mark, the champions were forcing Hibs on to the back foot and both Nicolas Kühn and Adam Idah were able to get shots away in the box, which the Hibs defence were scrambling to block.
Alistair Johnston came close to equalising with just shy of half-an-hour gone but the Hibs’ keeper made a good save at his front post to deny the Canadian.
Johnston then had to receive treatment on the pitch 10 minutes later for a head knock which occurred at a Hibs corner, and the break in play allowed both sides to catch their breath for a few minutes.
As a result of Johnston’s treatment, there were four minutes added at the end of the first half and the Celts would have been hoping to sting Hibs late in the half by grabbing an equaliser before the break, but it was the home side who used the additional time to their advantage.
In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Campbell grabbed his second of the afternoon as his header from a cross in to the box crept in to the left-hand corner of the net, making it 2-0 to Hibs.
25%
Possession
75%
8
Shots
14
4
Shots On Target
4
5
Corners
10
12
Fouls
11
3
0
Cards
2
0
Brendan Rodgers made three changes at half time, replacing Greg Taylor, Luke McCowan and Adam Idah with Jeffrey Schlupp, Reo Hatate and Jota, as the champions looked to find a way back in to the match.
And from the start of the half, Celtic looked much livelier as they put the pressure on Hibs.
Callum McGregor had a shot at goal from the edge of the area a few minutes in to the second half and, given his scoring record so far this season, it wouldn’t have been a shock to see the net bulge, but, on this occasion, his effort crept just wide.
Hibs continued to carry a threat however and with 57 minutes gone, Kasper Schmeichel was called upon once again as he produced a top-quality save to deny Lewis Miller, who looked certain to score with a header at the back post.
The Celts pulled themselves back in to the game in the 68th minute when Jota found Reo Hatate on the edge of the box with a pass. The Japanese midfielder attempted to get a shot away which was deflected up in to the air.
It looked like the keeper might gather it, but the ever-dangerous Daizen Maeda nipped in before him and stuck the ball in the back of the net to halve the deficit.
And with 15 minutes to play, Jota almost scored a goal which would have gone down as one of his finest, when he ran from the Celtic half with the ball at feet, skipped by a Hibs defender and the goalkeeper and chopped the ball back towards goal, but unfortunately his effort was cleared off of the line and put behind for a Celtic corner.
Celtic continued to press forward and, with eight minutes left of the 90, it looked like Daizen had grabbed the equaliser, but after a VAR review, the decision was made to rule the goal out because the ball was judged to have drifted out of play in the build-up.
The Celts were unable to find the equaliser they were searching for as the game drew to a close, and Hibs took all three points. Next up for Celtic is a home match against Aberdeen on Tuesday night.
Hibernian: Smith, O’Hora, Bushiri (Ekpiteta 78′), Iredale, Miller, Moriah-Welsh (Obita 73′), Triantis, Nicky Cadden, Campbell, Boyle (Hoilett 78′), Bowie (Kuharevich 64′)
Subs: Bursik, Ekpiteta, Newell, Chris Cadden, Obita, Hoilett, Gayle, Molotnikov, Kuharevich
Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor (Schlupp 45′), McCowan (Hatate 45′), McGregor, Engels, Kühn, Idah (Jota 45′), Maeda
Subs: Scales, Jota, Sinisalo, Hyunjun Yang, Schlupp, Kenny, Hatate, Ralston, Bonnar
Hibs show Bayern Munich how it’s done as Celtic knocked off their perch
Matthew Elder
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/david-gray-and-hibs-show-bayern-munich-how-its-done-as-celtic-knocked-off-their-perch-5002983
By Matthew Elder
Deputy Sports Editor
Comments
Published 22nd Feb 2025, 17:31 GMT
Campbell at double as Hibs claim Champions League scalp
Few Hibs victories over Celtic will have tasted sweeter than this.
Bring on the Bayern might be the chant down Leith Walk on Saturday night after Hibs succeeded where the Bundesliga leaders failed to knock Brendan Rodgers’ side off their perch.
This was not only a well-deserved 2-1 win over the Scottish champions elect. It was also the scalp of a Celtic side who just four days earlier had gone toe-to-toe with one of Europe’s elite.
Josh Campbell was the home hero with two brilliantly-taken goals while Rocky Bushiri ran him close for man of the match with another standout display at the back before succumbing to injury. Kieron Bowie also impressed on his belated first start since his summer move from Fulham after overcoming hamstring issues.
Hibs’ two-goal hero Josh Campbell leads the celebrations at full time after the 2-1 win over Celtic at Easter Road. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)
Hibs’ two-goal hero Josh Campbell leads the celebrations at full time after the 2-1 win over Celtic at Easter Road. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group) | SNS Group
To put the result into perspective, this was only Hibs’ second win over Celtic in 25 attempts.
It came down to millimetres in the end with Celtic denied a late equaliser when VAR ruled that the ball had gone fractionally over the byline before Alistair Johnston crossed for Daizen Maeda to score what would have been his second of the match, the Japanese having pulled one back for the visitors earlier in the second half.
It was a break Hibs more than deserved for what will go down as their best performance under David Gray. The head coach deserves huge credit for turning the season around. Only a few months ago the mood around Easter Road was toxic as Hibs toiled at the foot of the table with question marks over mentality.
Gray has addressed those issues while also turning what had been the weakest part of Hibs’ team – the defence – into arguably the strongest which is testament to the work being put in on the training ground.
His name rang around the stadium more than once during the game while the roar on the full-time whistle followed by a belting rendition of Sunshine on Leith – reserved only for special moments – told you how much this meant.
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda scores to make it 2-1. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda scores to make it 2-1. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group) | SNS Group
Celtic have done remarkably well not to let their Champions League campaign affect their domestic form, but the mental toll of their Munich heartbreak, and the relatively short turnaround, made them particularly vulnerable.
However, take nothing away from this magnificent performance from Hibs, who are now 13 unbeaten and with eyes now firmly set on a third place finish. It will also provide them with a shot of belief ahead of the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Celtic Park in two weeks’ time for what will be the fifth meeting of the sides this season.
Brendan Rodgers made only three changes from the side that started at the Allianz Arena but the trio of incomers – Greg Taylor, Adam Idah and Luke McCowan – were all withdrawn at half-time as the Celtic boss reverted to his Munich starters.
By then Hibs were already two goals up. It took Bayern 94 minutes to breach Kasper Schmeichel’s goal but Hibs needed just 100 seconds as they carved the Celtic rearguard open with ease. Auston Trusty was caught well out of position as Nectar Triantis slipped a pass into the area where the wandering centre-back should have been and Campbell had time and space to pick his spot past Schmeichel.
Josh Campbell picks his spot to Hibs 1-0 up against Celtic. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)
Josh Campbell picks his spot to Hibs 1-0 up against Celtic. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group) | SNS Group
Celtic crept back into the game but Hibs were not simply sitting on their lead and they forged several promising attacks culminating in a second goal in first-half stoppage time. Martin Boyle crossed for Campbell to nod home off the inside of the post and although the flag went up for offside, it only delayed home celebrations as VAR confirmed that Trusty had played the midfielder onside and Hibs were two up.
Rodgers made his triple change at the break – bringing Reo Hatate, Jeffrey Schlupp and Jota on – and Celtic started the second half with more intent. The breakthrough arrived on 68 minutes when Hatate scuffed a shot towards goal that goalkeeper Jordan Smith should have gathered but hesitated allowing Maeda to nick in and toe-poke the ball over the line.
A dramatic sequence of events saw Hibs claim a penalty when substitute Mykola Kuharevich went down in the box before Jota sped up the other end with a lightning run taking him from the halfway line into the box and past goalkeeper Smith only for Bushiri to block heroically on the line before hobbling off.
Celtic pressure was mounting and they celebrated an equaliser with seven minutes remaining until VAR intervened. Eight minutes of added time produced an audible groan from the home fans but they need not have worried. This was their day.
Brendan Rodgers accuses VAR of ‘guessing’ major call as Celtic boss demands ‘conclusive evidence’
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/brendan-rodgers-accuses-var-of-guessing-major-call-as-celtic-boss-demands-conclusive-evidence-5002935
Matthew Elder
By Matthew Elder
Deputy Sports Editor
0Comments
Published 22nd Feb 2025, 15:58 GMT
Disallowed goal denies Celtic late equaliser at Hibs
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has requested ‘conclusive evidence’ that the ball was out of play after VAR ruled out a late equaliser for his side in the 2-1 defeat to Hibs at Easter Road.
Daizen Maeda thought he had rescued a point for Celtic with his second goal of the match when he fired into the roof of the net in the 83rd minute after Alistair Johnston’s cutback from the byline was spilled into his path by goalkeeper Jordan Smith.
Referee Steven McLean initially awarded the goal after his linesman ruled that the ball had not crossed the line before Johnston reached Reo Hatate’s overhit pass, only for the decision to be overruled by VAR much to the dismay of the away side.
Rodgers questioned the intervention of Alan Muir on VAR claiming that the camera angle available was not sufficient for him to overrule the onfield decision.
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda scores in the 2-1 defeat to Hibs before VAR ruled it out for the ball being out of play in the build up. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda scores in the 2-1 defeat to Hibs before VAR ruled it out for the ball being out of play in the build up. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group) | SNS Group
“Well, I’m hoping to see conclusive evidence that it was out,” the Celtic boss said. “The linesman on this side, he had his flag up quite a lot today.
“But for the goal, he probably has one of the best views in the ground and he kept his flag down, which tells me that he felt it was in. Not all of the ball was out.
“So if it’s the case, then you’ve got to go and review it with VAR. But then you’re taking an angle from the 18-yard line. If you’re taking the angle from the 18-yard line, and you can tell me that you can absolutely say 100 per cent, then you’re having a guess.
“These are big games to be guessing, especially at this point in the season. So we were disappointed with that, and that’s what killed our momentum a little bit.
“I felt it was very harsh on the team. We get to two each, then we’ve still got enough time to go and find a winner.”
Celtic were 2-0 down at half-time to a Josh Campbell double before Maeda pulled one back in the second half as the Hoops crashed to only their second domestic defeat of the season while Hibs extended their unbeaten run to 13 matches.
Rodgers refused to be overly critical of his players after their midweek exertions in the Champions League against Bayern Munich, where Celtic led the Bundesliga giants before suffering a 94th minute sucker punch.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers shouts at the linesman during the 2-1 defeat to Hibs at Easter Road. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers shouts at the linesman during the 2-1 defeat to Hibs at Easter Road. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group) | SNS Group
“No, listen, these players have been brilliant for me,” he said. “They absolutely have. We’re disappointed with our start to the game, because you know when you come away to tough grounds away from home, then you have to make a good start in the game.
“We conceded an awful goal so that gives the crowd a little something to hang on to. We had some good moments in the first half, but not too many.
“Then we conceded a disappointing goal right on half-time. So we have a bit of work to do then. We made the changes to try and regenerate the team.
“In the second half, we were excellent. We were much more like our game and got the goal. Like I say, we were much, much better.”
Hibs groundsman thanked for disallowed Celtic goal as David Gray hails players and gives Rocky Bushiri update
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/latest-hibs-news/hibs-groundsman-thanked-for-disallowed-celtic-goal-as-david-gray-hails-players-and-gives-rocky-bushiri-update-5002945
Matthew Elder
By Matthew Elder
Deputy Sports Editor
0Comments
Published 22nd Feb 2025, 16:25 GMT
Updated 22nd Feb 2025, 16:57 GMT
Hibs boss says team deserved rub of green
Hibs manager David Gray jokingly praised the Easter Road groundsman after Celtic were denied a late equaliser when VAR ruled the ball had gone out of play.
A Josh Campbell double earned Hibs an impressive 2-1 win over the runaway Scottish Premiership leaders but Celtic were left aggrieved by a decision to disallow a Daizen Maeda strike in the 83rd minute.
Maeda had already pulled a goal back for Celtic, who trailed 2-0 at half-time, when he fired an Alistair Johnston cut-back into the roof of the net for what would have been a leveller.
Referee Steven McLean initially awarded the goal after linesman David Roome ruled that the ball had not crossed the byline before Johnston pulled it back, only for the decision to be overruled by VAR much to the delight of the home side.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers questioned the call, but Gray was relieved the decision went his way as Hibs held on for a notable victory.
Hibs head coach David Gray celebrates at full time after the 2-1 win over Celtic at Easter Road. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)
Hibs head coach David Gray celebrates at full time after the 2-1 win over Celtic at Easter Road. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group
“I was delighted that the groundsman painted the lines straight this morning and the pitch was the size it was!” he said. “I think that’s very, very fine margins isn’t it? A split second if he gets to the ball earlier and the ball stays in, then it’s an equaliser and all the momentum would have been with Celtic. So we know that was a massive moment in the game.
“Sometimes you need that little bit of luck but I think with our effort, our application, how hard the boys ran and how much they put into that today, they fully deserved the break at that moment and I’m delighted for them.”
Hibs produced one of their best displays under Gray to extend their unbeaten run to 13 matches and push themselves firmly into contention in the race for third place.
“I thought we were excellent, outstanding actually is probably the word I would use,” Gray added. “Before the game I spoke a lot about how we needed every player to be absolutely at the top of their game. We needed every player to give absolutely everything and to buy into what we’re trying to do from a game plan point of view and I thought they delivered that. I’m delighted for them. They got out of the game what they deserved from the amount of effort they put into it. And every single one of them to a man who was outstanding on the day, which we needed to be.”
Hibs defender Roccky Bushiri produced another outstanding display but was forced off with 13 minutes remaining just seconds after clearing a Jota effort off the line after picking up an injury.
“He just felt a little bit tight,” Gray said. “Also a bit of cramp as well. So I think it was an accumulation of a few things. But he’s walked off the pitch. It’s very early to say what it is but hopefully it’s nothing too serious. Obviously he’s in a good place at the moment so he needs to recover as quick as he can.”
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cx252z0v6z8t#Report
George O’Neill
BBC Sport Scotland
Josh Campbell’s first-half double continued Hibernian’s superb form and inflicted leaders Celtic’s second Scottish Premiership defeat of the season.
Celtic – off the back of a heroic performance at Bayern Munich on Tuesday – struggled to find their usual tempo in the first hour.
Passes went astray, and the structured Hibs defence dealt with the barrage of crosses sent into their box.
Midfielder Campbell capitalised twice. First he found the bottom corner in the second minute to give the hosts a dream start, then he headed home Martin Boyle’s looping cross on the stroke of half-time to double the advantage.
David Gray’s side had chances to add to their tally, with Kieron Bowie and Lewis Miller both denied by Kasper Schmeichel in what was a superb all-round display.
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Daizen Maeda pulled one back for the league leaders on 68 minutes, and from there, Hibs had to resist an onslaught from Brendan Rodgers’ side.
The visitors’ belief and urgency increased and Jota thought he had found a leveller when he skipped around Jordan Smith but had his effort blocked on the line by the immense Rocky Bushiri.
Maeda then found the net again with seven minutes to go, but celebrations were cut short as the officials deemed the ball had crossed the byeline before Alistair Johnston flashed his cross into the box.
Celtic protested the decision on the field, and replays appeared inconclusive as to whether the whole of the ball was out of play.
Regardless, Hibs held on to claim victory after a nervy eight minutes of injury time.
They are now unbeaten in their past 13 outings in all competitions and are very much in the race for third place.
Hibs shine to continue wonderful run
Given the form Hibs have shown since being beaten 3-0 at Celtic Park in December, the visitors must have expected a fast start. But they were unable to stop it.
Nectarios Triantis wasn’t picked up in midfield, and he slid a pass towards Campbell, who took a touch before sliding a calm finish beyond Schmeichel.
It set the tone for the first half as Hibs caused problems both from set-pieces and on the break.
Bowie and Boyle caused plenty of issues, starting as the front two for the first time.
The youngster’s physicality and eye for goal combined with the talisman’s pace and energy surely means Gray will look to develop that partnership further.
It was Boyle who picked out Campbell for the second goal and, although the offside flag went up, a VAR check showed Auston Trusty was playing Campbell onside.
The second half was more a test of Hibs’ grit and defensive mettle, but it was a challenge they stood up to magnificently.
Bushiri continued his resurgence in defence, running himself into the ground and heroically blocking Jota’s goal-bound shot.
Controversial non-goal fuels Celtic frustration
Daizen Maeda goal is disallowedImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Daizen Maeda thought he had levelled but the effort was ruled out after a VAR review
Rodgers and his players will know they didn’t reach their best levels at Easter Road, but they felt they should have taken a point from their trip to Leith.
Maeda poked home from close range after Marvin Ekpiteta and Smith failed to deal with Johnston’s low ball in from the right.
The goal was given before VAR intervened to say the ball had gone out of play before Johnston got to it.
The Scottish FA says VAR checked and the 18-yard line camera showed the ball had indeed crossed the byeline, but it did not stop Rodgers protesting to referee Steven McLean after full time.
Celtic had forced their way back into the contest through Maeda’s trademark persistence, beating Smith to Hatate’s scuffed shot when all others appeared to have given up on the chance.
Regardless, they are still in total control of the Premiership title race, and will look to return to winning ways against Aberdeen on Tuesday.
What they said
Hibernian head coach David Gray: “I challenged them, saying every one needs to be at the top of their game, and I got that. I thought we fully deserved it.
“Your mentality and character is always going to be tested when Celtic get that goal. Can you find a way to hold out? They are always going to keep pushing.
“We’re trying to accumulate as many points as we can before the split, and it’s still about catching the team in front of us.
“It keeps that run going, the feel-good factor going – a massive three points.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “We were a little bit rushed in the first half, just tried to force it and then concede a disappointing goal right on half-time.
“The players were excellent second half, put a lot of pressure on, and get the goal.
“Then there’s the talking point. I was very disappointed we didn’t get that especially when the linesman didn’t think it was out. He probably has the best view.
“I don’t know how you can tell the ball is definitely out from an image from the 18-yard line. We need to see evidence the ball was out. If you don’t have that, you’re having a guess.”