Celtic v HibsSNS

At a glance

  • Celtic drop points for second time in six games

  • Iheanacho effort disallowed and several other chances spurned

  • Resolute Hibs hold firm for point

Celtic v Hibs highlights

27/09/25

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Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Celtic Park

Celtic dropped Scottish Premiership points for the second time this season - and slipped to second place in the table - as they were held to a stalemate by a stuffy Hibernian.

The point extends David Gray's unbeaten league run, with this a fourth successive draw in an unbeaten start to their league campaign.

A point here in Glasgow would seem a significant boost, too, after they failed to capitalise in recent fixtures.

Brendan Rodgers opted to start Japan forward Daizen Maeda on the right, looking to find a solution to his front-three conundrum, with Kelechi Iheanacho starting centrally.

They looked sharp early on, and another big goal looked odds on for the Nigerian striker when, after a wonderful break, Maeda played him in but his shot struck the crossbar.

Marcelo Saracchi had the same outcome from a tight angle, and Callum McGregor was then denied, as Celtic continued to be frustrated.

It was Hibs who ought to have gone ahead, though, when Kieron Bowie nodded a free-kick into Warren O'Hora's path, but he somehow scooped over from a few yards.

Hibs then showed resistance throughout the second half, blocking shots and staying solid.

Iheanacho looked to have broken through but was deemed just offside, then he couldn't connect with Saracchi's centre when a goal looked certain.

Celtic reinforcements arrived. Paulo Bernardo was thwarted by Raphael Sallinger and Johnny Kenny, twice, nodded over from great positions as Hibs held on for a point.

Graphic

Analysis: Resolute Hibs frustrate Celtic

Not the outcome Celtic wanted on their return home after five games on the road.

This stalemate will, no doubt, add to fan anger over a lack of recruitment in the forward line. That said, they had enough chances and were very unlucky at times.

Celtic have struggled to score, particularly in the first half of Premiership games. Just one of their eight goals have come in the opening 45.

No shots on target until the 39th minute here answers that, to a degree, although they did hit the bar twice before that and got into some great positions.

Hibs couldn't keep much possession or get up the pitch as Celtic hemmed them in. But what a heroic defensive performance.

Players were so committed, throwing themselves to get blocks in. That answered some criticism of their back line.

They played with a high degree of stability and ought to have gone ahead just before half-time after riding their luck more than once.

What next for these teams?

Celtic return to Europa League action at home to Braga on Thursday (17:45 BST), before welcoming Motherwell next Sunday (15:00).

Hibs have the small matter of a trip across Edinburgh to face high-flying Hearts next Saturday (17:45).

Where next?

Player of the match

R. Sallinger
8.02
1 K. Schmeichel
5.19
36 M. Saracchi
5.16
17 K. Ịheanachọ
4.95
20 C. Carter-Vickers
4.88
23 S. Tounekti
4.86
5 L. Scales
4.78
14 L. McCowan
4.74
42 C. McGregor
4.71
56 A. Ralston
4.67
38 D. Maeda
4.59
28 Paulo Bernardo
4.47
8 B. Nygren
4.13
27 A. Engels
4.00
49 J. Forrest
4.00
24 J. Kenny
3.78
10 M. Balikwisha
3.67
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