Credit: Imago

Ciaran Morrison

Sun 3 May 2026 14:32, UK

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Celtic needed second half substitute Kelechi Iheanacho to net the winning goal to overcome the ten men of Hibernian 2-1 at Easter Road.

Jamie McGrath was sent off in the first half for a wild challenge on Alastair Johnston, and Celtic took advantage by dominating proceedings.

Martin O’Neill’s side found the breakthrough when Daizen Maeda tucked home Johnston’s cross from close-range.

However, Celtic were pegged back on the stroke of half-time when Joe Newell struck, following a lengthy VAR review for a possible handball.

Iheanacho had an instant impact off the bench in the second half to score the winning goal, and keep Celtic’s Scottish Premiership title hopes alive.

Daizen Maeda at the centre of the action at Easter Road

Daizen Maeda came into this match in form having scored three goals and grabbed two assists in his last two appearances.

The 28-year-old added to that tally at Easter Road, even though he missed two chances in the first half to break the deadlock sooner for Celtic.

The forward broke free of the Hibs defence on two occasions, but could not find the target, nor test goalkeeper Jordan Smith.

Maeda was also the centre of a major penalty shout for the Hoops, when Smith looked to have brought him down inside the penalty area, but the referee turned away the appeals.

Defensive calamity could have cost Celtic dearly

Whilst the return of Johnston was a boost for O’Neill, with the 27-year-old making his first start since August, the Hoops allowed Hibs back into the game before half-time.

Hibs’ equaliser was one of only two shots on target that the home side had in the opening 45 minutes, and came from a header back into his own penalty area from Benjamin Nygren.

Viljami Sinisalo and Auston Trusty then lacked communication to clear the ball, as Newell benefitted despite a hint of handball.

Celtic could target a new number one goalkeeper this summer, as sources revealed to Football Insider, whilst Trusty has still yet to fully convince that he is a long-term solution in the centre-back role.

Celtic player ratings vs Hibs

• Viljami Sinisalo – 5/10
• Alistair Johnston – 7/10
• Auston Trusty – 5/10
• Liam Scales – 5/10
• Kieran Tierney – 6/10
• Callum McGregor – 6/10
• Arne Engels – 4/10
• Sebastian Tounekti – 4/10
• Benjamin Nygren – 3/10
• Hyun-Jun Yang – 4/10
• Daizen Maeda – 7/10

Substitutes

• Luke McCowan (On for Johnston 63′) – 4/10
• James Forrest (On for Tounekti 63′) – 5/10
• Kelechi Iheanacho (On for Yang 70′) – 6/10
• Anthony Ralston (On for Nygren 77′) – 4/10