Celtic move level with Hearts after win over 10-man Hibs
TL;DR
Celtic defeated 10-man Hibernian to equalize points with league leaders Hearts. Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning goal just 151 seconds after coming on as a substitute.
Key points
- Celtic beat 10-man Hibernian
- Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning goal
- Celtic moved level on points with Hearts
- Hibernian played with 10 men after a red card
- Controversy surrounded Hibs' equalizer
Super-sub Kelechi Iheanacho was the hero for Celtic as the Hoops beat 10-man Hibernian to move level on points with league leaders Hearts.
Iheanacho scored in the 72nd minute - just 151 seconds following his introduction - when Martin O'Neill's side had looked to be limping to a disappointing draw having played for more than than 50 minutes with a man advantage courtesy of Jamie McGrath's 21st-minute red card.
Had Celtic failed to win, there would have been more controversy surrounding the nature of Joe Newell's equaliser for Hibs, with the ball appearing to hit his hand in the build-up just minutes after Daizen Maeda's 41st-minute opener.
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Kelechi Iheanacho gives Celtic the lead against Hibs
However, Celtic were able to claim the three points in a near-empty Easter Road and move alongside Hearts ahead of the latter's clash with Rangers live on Sky Sports on Monday.
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Kris Boyd was not happy with the lack of Hibs support at Easter Road before their game with Celtic
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Playing a day earlier than their title rivals, O'Neill's side were given an opportunity to lay down a marker for Hearts and Rangers and were given the perfect opportunity to do so early on.
After a tepid start, the game sprung into life as Newell lunged into a reckless challenge on Alistair Johnston. He was initially shown a yellow card, only for a VAR check to lead to that being upgraded to a red - Hibs' fourth in three games.
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Jamie McGrath sees red after a VAR check against Celtic
From then on, Celtic controlled proceedings without being overly threatening. That was until Maeda tapped home from close range to give the visitors the lead after originally being adjudged to have been offside.
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Daizen Maeda gives Celtic the lead after a VAR check
There was still time for drama late in the first half, as Newell fired home from close range after Celtic failed to clear their lines.
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Hibs hit back before half-time against Celtic! But did Joe Newell use an arm to control the ball?
Another lengthy VAR check ensued as the ball appeared to strike the Hibs man on the arm before his shot. However, the goal was allowed to stand much to the shock of everyone in black.
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It could have proved to have been a major talking point in the title race had O'Neill's men not found a winner. After consistent second-half pressure, they did get their breakthrough as Iheanacho stabbed home past Jordan Smith to secure a crucial three points.
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It means Celtic move level with Hearts on 73 points ahead of Derek McInnes' sides clash with third-placed Rangers on Monday.
A win for Rangers will mean the top three is separated by just a single point ahead of the final Old Firm showdown next weekend live on Sky Sports.
Celtic Rangers
Sunday 10th May 11:00am
Kick off 12:00pm
What's coming up in the Scottish Premiership?
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Q&A
How did Celtic's win over Hibernian affect their league standing?
Celtic's victory allowed them to move level on points with league leaders Hearts.
What was the key moment in the Celtic vs Hibernian match?
Kelechi Iheanacho scored the decisive goal in the 72nd minute, shortly after being substituted in.
Why was Hibernian playing with 10 men against Celtic?
Hibernian was reduced to 10 men after Jamie McGrath received a red card in the 21st minute.
Was there controversy surrounding Hibernian's equalizer?
Yes, there was controversy as Joe Newell's equalizer appeared to involve a handball in the build-up.
