(Credit: Imago)

Evan Shaw

Sun 3 May 2026 13:59, UK Updated Sun 3 May 2026 14:58, UK

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Hibernian were unable to stop Celtic piling the pressure on leaders Hearts as the Bhoys won 2-1 at Easter Road on Sunday.

Daizen Maeda tapped home the opener for the visitors in the 43rd minute, as Alistair Johnston marked his first start since October with an assist.

Joe Newell stepped up to equalise for the hosts in first-half stoppage time, as the goal was awarded following a prolonged VAR review, despite replays seemingly showing that he inadvertently controlled the ball with his arm.

Kelechi Iheanacho was then on hand to come from the bench and net the winner in calm fashion, as he controlled the ball on his chest before firing in from close range in the 71st minute.

Martin O’Neill’s side knew that victory would see them go level on points with Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership, and they took full advantage after Jamie McGrath’s 19th-minute red card.

Celtic’s victory looked like it wouldn’t come at one stage, and with that in mind, Football Insider picks out three errors from referee David Dickinson during the game.

David Dickinson’s view of Jamie McGrath red card baffling

McGrath’s red card was the first major decision of the game, as he left the referee with a big call to make after he lunged in on Johnston.

The midfielder charged out to meet the right-back near the touchline, but barrelled into him, with replays showing that he planted his studs above the ankle of the Canadian.

Dickinson had an excellent view of the incident, and immediately rushed over the brandish a yellow card for the challenge.

However, he was then called ot the pitch-side monitor for a further review of the tackle, which saw him upgrade his original decision to a red card.

The fact that McGrath received his marching orders was undoubtedly the correct outcome, but it was hugely concerning that Dickinson didn’t deem it to be worthy of a red in real time.

He had a perfect view of the incident, and it was certainly a mistake from the man in the middle at first.

Celtic hugely unfortunate with Joe Newell goal

Newell’s goal gave Hibs a lifeline on the stroke of half-time, but he appeared to control the ball with his arm after Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo had knocked it forward in the box.

Dickinson awarded the goal in real time, before a lengthy VAR view appeared to cast doubt on whether he made the correct decision.

Replays from several angles were scrutinised, and it was ultimately decided that the man with the whistle had made the correct decision out on the pitch.

However, goals should not be allowed to stand if the ball makes contact with an attacker’s arm at any stage of the immediate build-up, making it hard to argue that Hibs’ should have counted in this instance.

The ball appeared to come off a combination of Newell’s midriff and his right arm before he turned it home, but that should still have been enough for the goal to be ruled out.

Jordan Obita yellow card extremely harsh

Jordan Obita was introduced by Hibs boss David Gray at half-time, as he tried to disrupt Celtic by getting a little more physical presence on the pitch.

The left-back tried to put himself about from the very beginning of his 45-minute cameo, and that saw him in hot water with the referee just three minutes after entering the fray.

Obita appeared to catch Yang Hyun-Jun with a stray arm after a challenge, and Dickinson immediately showed him a yellow card, despite the incident not seeming overly severe.

Obita could certainly count himself unlucky to have gone into the book for the challenge, especially since it was his first foul since coming onto the pitch.

He was then left walking a tightrope for the remainder of the game, which could have easily resulted in Celtic’s numerical advantage being doubled.