It was a day of high drama and bitter disappointment at Celtic Park on Sunday, as Celtic's Scottish Premiership title hopes suffered a major setback with a 2-1 defeat to Hibernian. The loss, which unfolded before a stunned home crowd, saw the reigning champions squander one of their crucial games in hand over league leaders Hearts, while Hibs consolidated their position in the top five with a spirited display.
From the outset, the mood in Glasgow was tense. The weather matched the atmosphere—drizzle gave way to heavy rain just as the action on the pitch heated up. Celtic, still reeling from a bruising 4-1 defeat to Stuttgart in the Europa League just days earlier, entered the fixture with several key players sidelined. Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Arne Engels, Callum Osmand, and Jota all missed out through injury, forcing interim manager Martin O’Neill into a reshuffle.
O’Neill, who took charge after a turbulent period that saw Wilfried Nancy and Brendan Rodgers depart amidst poor results, named Kasper Schmeichel in goal, with a back four of Julian Araujo, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales, and Kieran Tierney. The midfield engine room featured Callum McGregor, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Benjamin Nygren, while Yang Hyun-Jun, Sebastian Tounekti, and Tomas Cvancara led the attack. Options on the bench included Daizen Maeda, James Forrest, and Marcelo Saracchi, with O’Neill hoping for a spark if needed.
Hibernian, meanwhile, arrived in fifth place and eager to close the gap on the top four. Manager David Gray had his own injury headaches, missing Chris Cadden, Grant Hanley, Jordan Obita, Josh Mulligan, and Munashe Garananga. But the visitors had fresh momentum, buoyed by a 2-0 win over St Mirren in their previous outing, where January signing Ante Suto notched his second goal in three appearances.
The match, officiated by Matthew MacDermid with Daniel McFarlane and Chris Rae as assistants and Grant Irvine on VAR, began with both teams showing early intent. Celtic looked to assert themselves, with Nygren testing Hibs keeper Maxime Sallinger early on. Yet it was the visitors who struck first. Midway through the opening half, Felix Passlack rose highest to head home, silencing the Parkhead faithful and giving Hibs a shock lead.
Celtic’s response was swift and determined. Kieran Tierney, who was a constant threat down the left, whipped in a dangerous cross that found Benjamin Nygren at the back post. The Swede stooped to nod in his 18th goal of the season, bringing Celtic level and sparing them a chorus of boos at the break. As the teams went in at halftime, the score was 1-1, and the sense of unease among the home supporters was palpable.
The second half saw Celtic attempt to ramp up the pressure. Yang Hyun-Jun and Nygren combined well on the right, with Yang flashing a shot just wide of the post. Tomas Cvancara also came close, but Hibs’ defense held firm. O’Neill tweaked his formation, switching to a 4-2-3-1 in search of a breakthrough. However, the breakthrough would come at the wrong end for the hosts.
The game’s turning point arrived in the 65th minute. During a corner, Auston Trusty was sent off for violent conduct after forcefully batting away Jamie McGrath’s arm. The red card left Celtic with ten men and forced O’Neill into a tactical reshuffle, bringing on Benjamin Arthur for Yang and later introducing Marcelo Saracchi and James Forrest. The weather, now a torrential downpour, mirrored the mood in the stands.
With the numerical advantage, Hibs seized their moment. Substitute Kai Andrews, who had only just entered the fray, found space on the edge of the box and stroked a low shot past Schmeichel to put the visitors 2-1 up. The goal left Celtic Park in stunned silence, with only the Hibernian contingent celebrating in the rain.
Desperate for an equaliser, Celtic pushed forward, but chances went begging. Callum McGregor volleyed over, and Forrest fired high from inside the box. Even as the clock ticked into five minutes of stoppage time, Hibs held their nerve, defending resolutely against wave after wave of Celtic attacks. A VAR check for a possible penalty had the home fans momentarily hopeful, but no spot-kick was awarded, further adding to their frustration.
"Get up the park!" was the furious cry from Martin O’Neill on the touchline, as he urged his depleted side to find a late lifeline. But it was not to be. When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read Celtic 1, Hibernian 2—a result that sent shockwaves through the title race.
The defeat was a bitter pill for Celtic, who now find themselves further adrift of Hearts at the top of the table. With Rangers only managing a 2-2 draw at Livingston, the weekend represented a missed opportunity for the Bhoys to close the gap. Instead, their game in hand was squandered, and the pressure mounts as the season’s run-in approaches.
For Hibernian, the victory was a statement of intent and a reward for their resilience. Felix Passlack’s opener, the composure of Kai Andrews, and a disciplined defensive display underlined their credentials as a top-half side. The win also consolidates their fifth-place standing, keeping them firmly in the hunt for European qualification.
Reflecting on the afternoon, it’s clear that Celtic’s inconsistency and injury woes have left them vulnerable. O’Neill, who has steadied the ship since taking over, now faces his sternest test yet. The title race is far from over, but the margin for error has all but vanished. Hearts remain in pole position, but with both Celtic and Rangers struggling for form, the Scottish Premiership promises more twists before the final whistle of the season.
As the rain-soaked supporters filed out of Celtic Park, the sense of frustration was unmistakable. For Hibernian, though, it was a day to savour—a famous win on the road and a timely boost as the campaign enters its decisive phase.