Celtic FC vs Hibernian report: Celtic FC match report
Celtic retained their top spot in the Premiership with a deserved 2-0 win over Hibernian at Parkhead on Sunday.
Rangers had leapfrogged the Hoops by one point with a similar victory against Motherwell at Fir Park earlier on Sunday. But the Hoops, back to full strength after a host of players missed the Europa League dead rubber against Cluj on Thursday, responded well and opened the scoring through returning right-back Jeremie Frimpong six minutes before the interval.
Odsonne Edouard, also back in the team, doubled the lead in the 66th minute and it could have been a more comfortable victory for Neil Lennon’s side.
Celtic started the game on the front foot as Olivier Ntcham tested Hibs keeper Ofir Marciano from 14 yards after fellow midfielder McGregor had set him up with a ball across the penalty area. At the other end, Kristoffer Ajer made a timely tackle to keep away Jason Naismith 10 yards from goal.
Hibs went closer soon after, as Martin Boyle skipped two challenges before bending a right-foot effort inches wide. Edouard then went just as close for Celtic as he met Frimpong’s cutback with his right foot, the ball always just bending away from the far post.
Hibernian defender Ryan Porteous sloppily lost possession to Edouard, who rolled the ball to Frimpong and he slipped the ball through the legs of Marciano for his first goal at Celtic Park. Chris Maxwell replaced the presumably injured Marciano for the start of the second half and he too had to be on his toes.
James Forrest, after controlling a deep cross from Bolingoli, cut the ball back for Edouard to knock the ball into the net from eight yards. For Hibs, Florian Kamberi’s deflected drive just missed the target and Celtic keeper Forster had to make a great reaction save from defender Christopher Jullien’s header to prevent an own goal.
More Celtic News:
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- Why Celtic should keep hold of Olivier Ntcham amidst interest
- Why Celtic should go all out to sign Fraser Forster permanently
After a comfortable 2-0 victory over Hibs, here’s how some Celtic fans reacted on Twitter.
Frimpong what a player 💚
— David (@David_Celts1888) December 15, 2019
No to over exaggerate but frimpong is a lot better than Tierney was at his age
— Bri (@briantaylor_98) December 15, 2019
Well done shld off been more comfortable tho 👏👏💚💚
— Dún Geimhin csc ⭐️ (@DungeimhinCsc2) December 15, 2019
Yes bhoys
— Josh (@Josh75025863) December 15, 2019
we move on
— MikeyJohnstonCSC (@csc_johnston) December 15, 2019
Well done bhoys 🍀 #HH
— 🏴 Paul Gibson 45% 🎗 🏴 (@gibbo411) December 15, 2019
Great performance and a great win today, back on top of the table 👏🍀🍀
— Indy Bhoy (@BhoyIndy) December 15, 2019
Well done Bhoys 👏🍀💚
— Kim McCormick (@Kimmccormick34) December 15, 2019
