Hibernian secured a remarkable 2-1 victory against Celtic at Easter Road, showcasing resilience and strategy. Josh Campbell's early goal set the tone, with a second coming just before halftime. Despite Celtic's effort to close the gap, Hibernian extended their unbeaten Premiership run to 11 games. Although Celtic remains 13 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, their Champions League weariness showed. Brendan Rodgers' strategic halftime changes couldn't overturn the result, and Hibernian's questioned character proved formidable.
The match commenced with immediate intensity as Josh Campbell scored for Hibernian within two minutes, capitalizing on Celtic's sluggish start. Campbell displayed excellent positioning, taking advantage of Auston Trusty's forward movement that left space open for the strike. This initial goal set the stage for Hibernian's tactical dominance.
As the first half drew to a close, Campbell doubled Hibernian's lead with a well-executed header. Martin Boyle's precise inswinging cross provided the perfect opportunity, demonstrating Hibernian's prowess in capitalizing on set pieces. Nectar Triantis played a pivotal role by driving forward and creating space for Campbell, whose leap and header left Celtic's defense scrambling.
Celtic responded with urgency in the second half. Manager Brendan Rodgers made a calculated triple substitution, introducing Schlupp, Hatate, and Jota to inject fresh energy into the team. Despite this strategic shift, it was Daizen Maeda who managed to pull a goal back for Celtic in the 68th minute, rekindling their hopes for a comeback.
Throughout the match, Kasper Schmeichel stood strong in goal for Celtic. His crucial saves, particularly against Kieron Bowie's attempts, prevented further damage and kept Celtic within reach. However, Hibernian's defense held firm against Celtic's repeated advances.
In the closing stages, Maeda had another goal ruled out by VAR in the 83rd minute, adding to the evening's drama. The decision stirred controversy and highlighted ongoing debates about VAR clarity in crucial moments of play.
"That's something that we hope we can get cleared up, but certainly on the images that we've seen and from the official in the game it looked like it may well have been in." – Brendan Rodgers
Rodgers acknowledged Hibernian's exceptional performance despite his disappointment with the loss. He praised their execution and acknowledged that Celtic's fatigue from recent Champions League engagements played a role in their subdued performance.
Hibernian entered the match under scrutiny, with questions surrounding their character and mentality. The team's response was emphatic, proving their mettle against league leaders Celtic.
"The character and the mentality of the group was being questioned in the early period and I understood why." – David Gray
David Gray expressed satisfaction with his team's ability to rise to the occasion, noting that overcoming such challenges marks progress in their journey.
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