Super‑sub Kelechi Iheanacho proved decisive for Celtic as the Hoops secured a victory over a reduced‑strength Hibernian side, moving level on points with league leaders Hearts. Iheanacho entered the match in the latter stages and found the net in the 72nd minute, just 151 seconds after coming on, rescuing Celtic from a position that had looked increasingly likely to end in a disappointing draw. The Scottish champions had already been playing with a numerical advantage for more than 50 minutes after Jamie McGrath received a straight red card in the 21st minute.
If Celtic had failed to clinch the win, the controversy surrounding Joe Newell's equaliser for Hibs would have intensified. The ball appeared to brush Newell’s hand in the build‑up, a moment that occurred only minutes after Daizen Maeda had opened the scoring in the 41st minute.
However, the referee allowed the goal to stand, and Celtic ultimately claimed the three points in a near‑empty Easter Road, positioning themselves alongside Hearts ahead of the latter’s upcoming clash with Rangers, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on Monday. Playing a day earlier than their title rivals, Martin O’Neill’s side seized the opportunity to set a benchmark for both Hearts and Rangers. The match began cautiously, but the tempo rose sharply when Newell launched a reckless challenge on Alistair Johnston. Initially shown a yellow card, the incident was later reviewed by VAR and upgraded to a red card – Hibs’ fourth dismissal in three games.
From that point, Celtic dominated possession, though they struggled to convert their control into clear-cut chances. The deadlock was broken when Maeda tapped the ball home from close range, giving the visitors a lead after the goal had originally been ruled out for off‑side. The Scottish Premiership table continued to shift, with live updates and streaming options highlighted throughout the coverage. As the first half progressed, drama resurfaced when Newell managed to fire a shot from the edge of the box after Celtic failed to clear their defensive line.
A lengthy VAR review followed, as the ball appeared to make contact with Newell’s arm before the strike. Nevertheless, the goal was upheld, much to the astonishment of the Celtic players in black. The controversy could have become a major talking point in the title race, but Celtic’s persistence paid off in the second half.
After sustained pressure, Iheanacho finally broke the deadlock, stabbing the ball past Hibernian goalkeeper Jordan Smith to secure a crucial three points. The win lifted Celtic to 73 points, level with Hearts, and set up a high‑stakes encounter between Rangers and Hearts on Monday.
A Rangers victory would tighten the top three to a single point ahead of the final Old Firm showdown next weekend. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Celtic forward Kelechi Iheanacho expressed his satisfaction: "I’m really pleased. I’m happy to make an impact for my teammates and the club, so I’m really happy. I’m always ready, whether I start or come on, and I just need to keep my head straight and finish well.
We needed those three points and they are vital for us moving forward." Manager Martin O’Neill reflected on the performance, saying: "We started very brightly and created some good chances. Then Hibs had a man sent off, which gave us a comfortable lead. We conceded a poor goal just before half‑time, which was a nervous ending for us. Overall, the chances we created in the first half were fine, but Hibs fought right until the end, just as they did last week with nine men.
We made it difficult for ourselves at times, but we got the result. If we had gone in half‑time ahead, the game would have been different – they would have had to change their plans. They managed to get a goal which gave them something to cling to, but we didn’t create enough clear‑cut chances despite the possession we had." Regarding Daizen Maeda’s injury, O’Neill added: "I think he’s alright. I desperately hope he’s going to be okay." Hibernian manager David Gray also weighed in, defending the red card decision: "I defended other red cards in certain situations, but this one you just can’t defend.
It’s a definite red card, not for trying to do the right thing. He wasn’t trying to hurt anyone; it’s not his character, but it certainly cost us the game. The players gave everything, defending for their lives, and the goalkeeper didn’t have any massive saves. Credit to the defending effort – that’s how you try to stay in the game.
We earned the right to stay in it, but we couldn’t take the chance. It makes things difficult; we’re back in a situation where we rely on other results. Our next focus is the game against Falkirk, where we didn’t perform well last time, and we want to make amends." The match report also reminded fans to use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player, and it promoted a Super 6 competition with a £250,000 prize, encouraging readers to enter for free. The comprehensive coverage highlighted the significance of Celtic’s win in the context of the title race, the impact of disciplinary decisions, and the ongoing narratives surrounding key players and upcoming fixtures.