Glasgow | Celtic held and frustrated by Hibs

Celtic 0 - 0 Hibernian

Celtic dropped points for only the second time this season and slipped to second place in the table after being held to a goalless draw by a resilient Hibernian side.

Author | Sean M

Stadium | Celtic Park

The result stretched David Gray’s unbeaten league run, with this a fourth successive draw to open their campaign. For Hibs, a point in Glasgow felt significant after a run of missed opportunities in recent matches.

Brendan Rodgers shuffled his attack, deploying Daizen Maeda on the right and starting Kelechi Iheanacho through the middle in search of greater fluency up front. Celtic looked lively early on and Iheanacho appeared set to deliver when Maeda’s break put him through, only for his shot to crash against the crossbar. Marcelo Saracchi went close from a tight angle and Callum McGregor was denied as Celtic’s frustration grew.

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Hibs might have snatched the lead when Kieron Bowie nodded a free-kick into the path of Warren O’Hora, who contrived to scoop over from close range. The visitors grew in confidence, defending stoutly after the interval and putting bodies in the way of Celtic’s attempts.

Iheanacho thought he had finally broken the deadlock but was flagged offside, then missed a clear chance from Saracchi’s cross. Rodgers turned to his bench, but Raphael Sallinger denied Paulo Bernardo and Johnny Kenny twice headed over from inviting positions as Hibs clung on to secure a hard-earned point.

Best Celtic reaction

Jonathan believed Celtic played well despite the dropped points. He said: “Lots of good football from us, but we probably didn’t work the keeper enough. Not the worst result and performance overall given the travelling in midweek.”

Patrick Steel, a Celtic supporter, said that while the team created openings and struck the crossbar twice, they should have made more of their dominance. He pointed out that Johnny Kenny passed up a couple of clear chances and added that Celtic needs to return to brushing aside opponents when enjoying so much possession.

The Hibs perspective

After the match, Hibs keeper Raphael Sallinger told the media: "It was a great effort from the team from the beginning of the game to show everyone we don't want to concede a goal. Especially after last Tuesday's game when we were 2-0 up and conceded two goals.”