Celtic 3-0 Hibernian: Neil Lennon’s men extend unbeaten home record over Hibs

Celtic are still one point behind the Scottish Premiership leaders Rangers, one game less after Hibernian lowered them.

Hibs has not won at Celtic Park since January 2010, and goals from Callum McGregor, Ajeti and Mohamed Elyounoussi dashed hopes of breaking that record.

Despite the defeat, the Easter Road team is still third, but has played two more games than fourth-placed Aberdeen.

The Edinburgh team turned down many opportunities. Christian Doidge, Kevin Nisbet and Joe Newell fired at point-blank range.

Leigh Griffiths returned to the Celtic squad, the Scotland forward without a competitive game since a hat-trick against St Mirren in March. And on the bench he was joined by Odsonne Edouard, who was abandoned in favor of the summer signing of Ajeti.

But the first goal came from midfield, with McGregor finding a gap outside the box and launching a low shot into the far corner from Ofir Marciano’s outstretched hand.

However, the goal did not shake Hibs, who had started well, and Doidge was close to matching Hibs when he sent Nisbet’s cut over the bar from inside the area. Nisbet then shot high, with Martin Boyle also frustrated.

But they were punished for their missed opportunities when Celtic doubled their lead. Ryan Christie did well to hold the ball in the box under pressure, Jeremie Frimpong shoved his pass in the way of Elyounoussi, whose shot was blocked, but Ajeti rebounded for his fifth goal this season.

That was to be the last action of the Swiss forward, limping after, with Edouard back in the fray.

The two Celtic wingers were the cause of the Celtic threat, and a Greg Taylor cross found Frimpong in the race, but the Dutchman swerved. Scott Brown forced a good save from Marciano and seconds later the Israeli goalkeeper had to turn to David Turnbull, who replaced Christie at half-time, as Celtic looked for a third goal early in the second half.

Newell couldn’t find Hibs’s target from inside the area, and Doidge had a charged shot, but at the time the visitors’ chances were slim as Celtic dominated possession.

And Elyounoussi killed the game with a third goal as he approached Turnbull’s pass to slip the ball under Marciano.

Man of the match

What did we learn?

Celtic came under fire in the middle of the week despite beating FC Riga to reach the Europa League play-off round. During the 90 minutes against Hibs they wobbled at times despite their early lead, but improved as the game progressed with Taylor and Frimpong at heart to bring Celtic to life when they needed it.

Turnbull is also starting to settle in at Celtic after his move from Motherwell, and he impressed after replacing Christie at halftime.

Hibs had plenty of moments in the Celtic area and as always looked like a threat on the counter, but they weren’t clinical enough.

What they say

Celtic coach Neil Lennon: “It is without doubt the best (performance) of the season, and one of the best of my time in my two stints as a manager. I enjoyed it immensely. I thought the second half was absolutely brilliant.

“We were up against a good team that had won all their away games. It was a good test for us and I thought we got through it with great success. It was a brilliant team performance, absolutely brilliant.”

Hibernian manager Jack Ross: “I have no complaints about the final result, but the first half I thought we were very good, there were aspects of our performance that were very good, we find ourselves in good areas of the field regularly, but we were not clinical enough.”

“It’s unusual for us because we are normally very good at it. We just fell a little short today, but our work getting into that area of ​​the field was good.”

Whats Next?

Celtic will be looking for a place in the Europa League group stage when they travel to FK Sarajevo on Thursday.

Hibernian hosts Hamilton on Friday night as they look to get back on the winning track.

More to follow.