Hibs silence Celtic Park and reignite their second place hopes
Apart from the Hibees, its all gone quiet over there
Is it a shock that Hibs won at Celtic Park?
Hibs have attacking strength in depth and Celtic have been weak at the back, so when you add that together, it was always likely that the Leith men would be able to take something from the game. When you factor in the fact that Celtic are only likely to score once from every umpteenth chance, Hibs could maybe have been odds on for the victory.
They rode their luck at times but it all went Hibs way in the 92nd minute.
Celtic took an early lead when Marc Antoine Fortune powered home a header from a corner which flashed off the cross-bar and Celtic were massively dominant in the early period.
As per usual though, the Glasgow side were unable to convert when they were on top and from around the twentieth minute, the game got scrappy. Ian Brines was always likely to play a factor and his free-kick decisions were as baffling as always but even more consistent is Celtic’s defensive frailties.
A corner kick swung in from the right hand side as Celtic defended saw Boruc and O’Dea posted missing as Stokes flashed home the equaliser.
The rest of the first half looked to be petering out in tepid stalemate but a Celtic home game would not be complete without a major refereeing decision going against the side. Hibs keeper Smith made a mess of a corner and O’Dea poked home only for Iain Brines to chalk it off. The reason for the chopped off goal is still not clear but it prevented Celtic from gaining a lead they probably deserved.
The second half was the typical Celtic performance.
The vast majority of the ball was heading towards the Hibs goal but Celtic couldn’t get the second goal.
Niall McGinn had a shot superbly saved by Smith and Samaras managed to miss when it was easier to score. Even with Ki Sung Yueng and Morten Rasmussen coming off the bench, Celtic were unable to work Smith too hard.
One concern for Celtic fans was that Rasmussen looked very much like Stuart Gray, carrying a good few extra pounds and a hairstyle that should not have been allowed outside of the 90s. The Dane had the opportunity to become an instant hero but was unable to add any great power to his shot from inside the box.
Hibs, who had Miller and Stokes impressive throughout whilst the rest of the team worked their socks off, got their break in injury time.
Celtic were pressing and Ki Sung Yueng appeared to be bundled over. The immediate reaction inside Celtic Park appeared to be that Brines was performing as usual by not awarding the decision but those observers with the benefit of a replay appear to be saying the South Korean player made the most of minimal contact.
Hibs quickly broke and the ball eventually made its way to Danny Galbraith who slipped the ball past Boruc and grab all three points for John Hughes’ men.
Hibs are now just two points behind Celtic and must have serious intentions of taking over the Glasgow club.
Where to now for both clubs?
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Its all over for TM but will he jump? or be pushed. None of the players signed this window are his, they are for possible resale if impressive, sad days for Celtic
If you listen to the rumours he attempts to resign every week!
Given the money spent by Mowbray, you would think that the board would keep him in place….but if he merely picks the team from players he has given to him, he could be replaced.
That isn’t a view point that we prescribe to – the players brought in (Ki aside) have been for the areas where Celtic have been troubled so far this season, this would indicate it has been drive by the football side as opposed to the money making side.
Waahey!! Nice one hibs! Celtic in turmiol! What price Mr Mowbray gets sacked before the end of the season?
Can’t believe Celtic have sold the likes of Robson and replaced him with young Scandinavian lads with no real pedigree! It beggars belief! Can’t see past Gers for the title now. And the treble is a REAL possibility!
Celtic will miss some of the tenacity and dig of Robson but they certainly wont miss the embarrassing one footedness of the player.
Its been a hard one for Tony Mobwray. He has had to ship players out to get his own players in…and too many of Strachans players had no interest in playing for Mowbray / show they were good enough but when you move so many players en masse, its going to make it difficult to bring it all together.
No doubt you are happy bluebear but its a bit sad you comment on Celtic losing but leave your own clubs victory page untouched.
Cant see Mowbray being sacked….whether he resigns or both parties realise its not working is another matter.
Then again, when is a mutual consent decision ever such a decision?
In your report you mention the ‘referee’ and a contentious decision. Well I watched the highlights late last night and Samaras was clearly offside and interfering with play, indeed he actually touched the ball before it went over the line. As it was put to me on another thread just last week, it wasn’t a disallowed goal as the whistle went before it crossed the line, so let’s leave the paranoia aside for once eh?
For me Celtics biggest problem is leadership. There again last night, early goal and dominant missing chances along the way before Stokes get’s an equaliser. At that point someone needs to be rallying the troops, telling them not to worry as the second goal will come if they keep performing. It appears there is no-one there to step up to the plate and push the rest on. For all his faults, Caldwell is such a player and the nearest Celtic had to a leader in the team. Sacrificed for £1M, it’s sounds a bit like the board and their previous decision to sell Kenny Miller in order to make a quick buck.
The league is not over, Rangers will drop points again this season. The problem for Celtic though is can they capitalise? The next run of games for Celtic see them face Hamilton, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock & Rangers away, with Hearts & Dundee Utd at home. Does anyone genuinely believe that Celtic can at best go undefeated in these games? Better still win them all?
Mowbray has basically bought a new defence in the January window, they might indeed prove to be excellent signings, however you only need to look at Rangers for guidance in that area. Over the years players such as David May, Henning Berg, Frank De Boer & David Weir have all come in on free transfers at the twilight stage of their careers, they all strolled through the SPL because of one thing, experience. Again something that Celtic have overlooked.
With three days of the window left, what do Celtic fans feel will happen with player activity?
my mate squidward isnt doing to good
Sack TM ??? Get rid of Samaras first.
Quagmire – you got to see the highlights before posting..thats the difference.
As you’ll see in the report – the contention of the “foul” on Ki Sung Yueng was down-played because of what the replays showed.
Still not caught the highlights but as the consensus is now appearing to be that Samaras was offside, the goal was correctly chopped off.
As stated in the report “The reason for the chopped off goal is still not clear” was valid…at the time without replays, it was hard to see why. The follow-up line could have been written before though – thats implying the goal should have been seen as valid, whereas it was more Celtic’s play that would have seen few complaints about them being in the lead.
As for experienced players, ask Celtic fans about Stephane Henchoz!!
Fair enough WKSFA, as you say the report was written before TV pictures were conclusive, just thought you were maybe playing the referee card for the Celtic fans who need no invitation to think that the world is against them. Henchoz perhaps didn’t work, but my point remains true. There is no character or leadership in this current Celtic team, that will prove to be a huge issue for Mowbrays SPL challenge.
No worries, apologies for it not being written tighter, which could have made it clearer – there have been times this season when the ref card can be played for Celtic….but even though last night was Brines, the big decisions appeared to have been called right – so credit to him for that…and the usual discredit to Celtic for missing chances and looking weak at the back.
You are right about Celtic lacking leaders – thats how Gordon Strachan liked his team but its not the same under Mowbray – Celtic fans will have hopes for Hooiveld but its a lot of expectations to place on a player coming to a new country and culture.
Thanks for your posts – you always try and take the analysis a step further and balanced, keep them coming!
Hibs have a real chance of finishing second place . celtics next 7 games in the spl they only have two at home. Rangers home four out of seven.Hibs have four out of seven too. Hope the establishment never had the fixture secretary at any secret meetings nudge nudge wink wink.