Super‑sub Keleli Iheanacho proved the decisive factor for Celtic as the Hoops overcame a reduced Hibernian side to climb level on points with league leaders Hearts. Iheanacho entered the match with just over a minute left on the clock and, within 151 seconds, found the back of the net in the 72nd minute, turning a game that had seemed to be drifting toward a disappointing stalemate into a vital three‑point win. Celtic had spent more than half an hour with a numerical advantage after Jamie McGrath was shown a straight red card in the 21st minute.
The early dismissal should have given Martin O'Neill's men a comfortable platform, but the visitors struggled to convert possession into clear chances and appeared destined for a draw. The turning point arrived when Daizen Maeda broke the deadlock in the 41st minute, only for the goal to be initially ruled out for off‑side before the decision was overturned. Controversy lingered when Hibs equalised through Joe Newell. The ball seemed to brush Newell’s hand in the build‑up, prompting a heated debate that would have intensified had Celtic failed to respond.
Instead, the Hoops pressed forward, and the match’s drama escalated when VAR intervened on Newell’s challenge on Alistair Johnston. What began as a yellow card was upgraded to a red after a review, marking Hibernian’s fourth sending‑off in three games and leaving them with ten men for the remainder of the encounter. From that moment Celtic dominated the tempo, but genuine goal‑threats remained elusive.
Maeda’s close‑range finish gave Hibs a 2‑1 lead, and the home side continued to fight valiantly despite the numerical disadvantage. Late in the first half, Newell struck again from a tight angle after Celtic failed to clear a loose ball. Another lengthy VAR check examined whether the ball had contacted his arm before the shot, but the referee ultimately allowed the goal to stand, much to the dismay of the Celtic players in black. The second half saw Celtic apply sustained pressure.
Their persistence paid off when Iheanacho, who had been introduced as a substitute, seized his moment. In the 72nd minute, just two and a half minutes after stepping onto the pitch, he slotted a low, powerful finish past Hibernian goalkeeper Jordan Smith, securing a 3‑2 victory and the three points that lifted Celtic to 73 points, equal with Hearts. The win also set up an intriguing scenario for the upcoming fixtures.
Hearts were scheduled to face Rangers on Monday, while Celtic would host third‑placed Rangers later in the week. A Rangers victory in either match would tighten the top three to a single point ahead of the climactic Old Firm showdown next weekend. After the match, Iheanacho spoke to Sky Sports, expressing his delight at making an impact: "I’m really pleased.
I’m happy to be an impact today for my teammates and for the club. I’m always ready, whether starting or coming on, so I just need to get my head straight and finish well.
We’re going to take three points, which is important for us moving forward." Manager Martin O’Neill reflected on the performance, acknowledging both the positives and the missed opportunities: "We started brightly and created some good chances. Hibs had a man sent off, which should have made us comfortable. We did concede a poor goal just before half‑time, and the ending was a bit nervous. Overall, the chances we created in the first half were fine, but Hibs fought right to 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 into the break ahead, the game would have been different. They got a goal that gave them something to hang on to, and despite the possession we had, we didn’t create enough clear‑cut chances." When asked about Daizen Maeda’s injury, O’Neill offered reassurance: "I think he’s alright. I desperately hope he’s going to be okay." Hibernian manager David Gray also shared his perspective: "I defended other red cards in certain situations, but this one is indefensible.
It was a clear red, not a tactical foul. He’s not a player who tries to hurt anyone, but it cost us the game. The players gave everything, defending for their lives, and the goalkeeper didn’t have any huge saves.
Credit to the defence and the effort. We earned the right to stay in the game, but we couldn’t capitalise on it. It’s tough because we’re again relying 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." In summary, Celtic’s ability to overturn a precarious situation, combined with a timely substitution, allowed them to level with Hearts at the summit of the Scottish Premiership.
The match featured multiple VAR interventions, a red card, and a dramatic late winner, underscoring the intensity of the title race as the season approaches its decisive stages.