Interim manager Martin O’Neill’s perfect domestic record at Celtic continued at Easter Road on Sunday, as his side defeated Hibernian 2-1 to move within two points of Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts with a game in hand.
Celtic secured the victory with two goals in just 33 first-half seconds. The breakthrough came in the 27th minute when a defensive error by Hibs goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger allowed Reo Hatate to set up Daizen Maeda for the opener.
Moments later, Arne Engels doubled the lead with a brave header from a Hyun-Jun Yang cross.
Hibernian showed fight in the second half, pulling one back via a Martin Boyle penalty (56′) following a VAR review for a Liam Scales handball.
Despite late pressure and a fine effort from Chris Cadden being saved by Kasper Schmeichel, Hibs—who suffered their second consecutive defeat—could not find the equaliser.
O’Neill, who looks set to manage the team for one final time against Dundee on Wednesday before Wilfried Nancy’s arrival, has completely revitalised the champions, with Maeda being named Player of the Match.
