Report: Celtic 3 Hibs 1

Despite a valiant performance, the Hibees came up short at Celtic Park - losing 3-1 to the Scottish champions at Parkhead on Saturday afternoon.

Martin Boyle put the Hibees in-front midway inside the first half before two goals in the space of five minutes from Nicolas Kühn and Adam Idah turned the game on its head just before half-time, with Reo Hatate adding a third in the second 45. 

The Hibees scrapped for every ball and had several chances in both halves but in the end, the Glasgow side showed their clincial edge and came away with all three points.

In the lead-up to the match, the Club were devastated to learn of the passing of former owner – Sir Tom Farmer, aged 84. As a mark of respect, all players and coaching staff wore black armbands over their shirts during the match. 

Speaking to BBC Scotland ahead of the game, Gray paid a heartfelt tribute stating: "It's a very sad day for the Football Club and his family. Everything he did for the Football Club... he saved the Club at a trying time. The family are in the players' thoughts."

The hosts dominated the early exchanges of the match – in terms of possession and territory – and caused Hibs a couple of early scares in the opening 10 minutes. Chris Cadden made a timely intervention inside his own six-yard box to keep the ball out before Jordan Smith stood his ground well to thwart Idah one-on-one with the forward bearing down on goal.

Idah and Daizen Maeda had a couple more sniffs at goal before Arne Engels fired over from distance as Celtic continued to threaten. We nearly scored with our first clear-cut chance of the game, when Boyle reacted the quickest in the penalty area and found himself with a clear sight of goal with Kasper Schmeichel to beat. The Danish 'keeper was out quickly and saved from point-blank before Mykola Kuharevich dragged his shot wide moments later. 

Midway through the first half, both teams took a scheduled water break, giving David Gray a chance to give some key instructions onto his players. Whatever was said – it worked – as the Hibees raced up the pitch and opened the scoring through Boyle! 

Josh Campbell swung a hopeful left-foot at a deep Chris Cadden cross towards the edge of the penalty area. The ball ricocheted off a hooped jersey before landing at Boyle’s feet who made no mistake with the finish – side-footing home for his 97th goal for the Club.

The hosts looked to hit back instantly through Engels, but his volley was blasted well off-target after a clipped ball over the top from Kühn.

There were claims for a penalty from the hosts after the ball popped up and struck Chris Cadden, but after a quick VAR check – the replays showed there was nothing in it.

Hatate tried to catch Smith out at his near post, but the Hibs shot-stopper was alert to danger and held on smartly at his near post. Jordan Obita was next to deny the visitors, making a timely intervention at the back post to stop Kühn from what was a certain tap-in. 

With less than five minutes remaining in the first half, Kühn levelled the scoring after latching onto a clipped ball in behind from Anthony Ralston. Idah initially went for it along with Rocky Bushiri but both players missed it, allowing Kühn to run in and take it around Smith before tapping the ball into an empty net. 

Celtic had their tails up and forced another solid stop from Smith when Kühn cut inside from the right before shooting straight at the Hibs 'keeper. 

The constant pressure eventually paid off for the home side, with Kühn turning provider minutes later to set up Idah who fired the ball into the bottom corner from a tight angle – turning the scoreline on its head within the space of five minutes.

Half-time: Celtic 2 Hibs 1

It was Hibs who came out in the second half in the ascendancy, winning a flurry of corners inside the opening couple of minutes of the second 45. Both Rocky and Kuharevich had sightings at goal following deliveries into the box, but neither were able to divert their efforts on target.

Jack Iredale and Kühn were then booked for an off-the-ball scuffle, with both players shown a yellow card for their troubles. 

Celtic added their third of the afternoon through Hatate just inside the hour mark. The Japanese midfielder showed good composure to find the bottom corner after a clever lay-off from Engels. 

Idah blazed over the bar from six yards, before Obita forced a routine save from Schmeichel as the game began to open up. 

With 25 minutes remaining, Gray made a triple substitution with Kieron Bowie, Junior Hoilett and Nicky Cadden entering proceedings for Boyle, Kuharevich and Iredale – with Obita moving to centre-back and Nicky Cadden slotting in at left-wing back. 

The substitutions nearly made an immediate impact, with Nicky Cadden crossing early for Bowie, but the striker mistimed his volley and the chance flashed by. Bowie then showed good link-up play to find Hoilett who cut inside and shot straight and Schmeichel. 

The Hibees continued to carve out chances with Nicky Cadden proving a threat on the left-flank. Rocky was next to try his luck – heading wide from Cadden's out-swinging corner. 

Dwight Gayle was introduced to proceedings replacing Josh Campbell as the Hibees looked for a way back into the game in the last quarter of an hour.

Chris Cadden and Nectar Triantis both had their name taken by referee Colin Steven for stopping Celtic counter-attacks, as the hosts began to see out the game. 

Dylan Levitt made way for Alasana Manneh, for the final 10 minutes of the tie. The Hibees huffed and puffed but the game eventually petered out at Celtic Park with the hosts claiming all three points.