Hibs 1 Celtic 2 LIVE reaction as Adam Idah reveals penalty ‘confidence’ amid late drama

Celtic regained their three point lead at the top of the Premiership after claiming a last-gasp 2-1 away victory against Hibernian.

The Hoops were held to a 1-1 draw at Aberdeen at the weekend and looked set to drop more points until new signing Adam Idah bagged an injury-time winner with his second goal of the game from the penalty spot.

Brendan Rodgers’ had never won at Easter Road, but saw his team go into the break a goal to the good after Idah opened the scoring with his first penalty kick after Nectarios Triantis had smashed into Alistair Johnston.

The Canadian international had to to taken to hospital and as the game wore on Nick Montgomery’s Hibs began to get back into it. The home side vastly improved after the interval and deservedly got back on level terms when Dylan Levitt volleyed home his first goal in Hibs colours from Will Fish’s nod-down.

Idah and Lewis Miller then passed up huge opportunities to find a winner for their respective teams. The game appeared to be heading for another draw until a clumsy challenge by Joe Newell on Celtic sub Kyogo Furuhashi allowed Idah to confidently step-up to dispatch his second penalty of the game as Celtic responded to Rangers going joint-top of the table last night with a huge three points in the defence of their title.

It’s a bitter pill to swallow for a Hibs side who performed admirably in the second half but now have to quickly pick themselves up for a trip to Inverness in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup on Saturday.

Hibs: Marshall, Miller, Fish, Triantis, Obita, Levitt, Newell, Moriah-Welsh, Boyle. Youan, Vente Subs: Wollacott, Mayenda, Amos, Stevenson, Myziane, Le Fondre, Jair, Molotnikov, Megwa

Celtic: Hart, Johnston, Welsh, Scales, Bernabei, McGregor, O’Riley, Bernardo, Kuhn, Idah, Maeda Subs: Bain, Palma, Kyogo, Abada, Holm, Nawrocki, Vata, Kelly Ralston

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22:57Mark Pirie

Rodgers demands more

A nervy night at Easter Road – and the Parkhead boss wasn’t pleased.

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22:16Mark Pirie

Idah on ‘confident’ penalties

Adam Idah has insisted he was “confident” after taking two vital penalties to see off Hibs at Easter Road.

Idah stepped up in injury time to net in front of the visiting support – as his double marked his first goal since moving from Norwich City on loan.

I am quite a confident player. I knew where I wanted to put it. To score in front of the fans it was amazing.

22:15Anthony Evans

A dramatic ending

It took some time to get going, but we were really treated to an action-packed game of football in the second half.

Hibs gave it as good as they got but Celtic newboy Adam Idah is the man of the moment, scoring twice to keep the Hoops’ in front in the title race.

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22:01Key Event

FULL TIME: Hibs 1-2 Celtic

After an action-packed second half, Celtic have claimed a massive three points.

It looked for all the world that if anyone, Hibs would come out on top, but boss Rodgers will be breathing a hugh sigh of relief as with new man Idah grabbing the headlines with two crucial goals from the penalty spot.

The Hoops have now re-established their three point lead at the summit of the table ahead of the break for Scottish Cup action this weekend.

21:56Key Event

GOAL! Hibs 1-2 Celtic

In the first minute of injuy time, Idah has stepped up to convert a huge spot kick and send the away end behind the goal totally bezerk.

It’s harsh on Hibs, but new signing Idah has demonstrated his ice cool ability to score two fine penalty kicks.

21:55Anthony Evans

PENALTY TO CELTIC

Having consulted the screen, whistler Walsh points to the spot.

This could be a defining moment in the Premiership title race…

21:54Anthony Evans

VAR check in progress

The officials are checking for a potential penalty after Kyogo went down under a challenge from Newell just inside the box.

Nick Walsh has left the field to check the monitor.

21:49Anthony Evans

Fish fires wide

Montgomery’s men look like the team who are more likely to find a winner at the moment.

More good work from Youan sees the Frenchman put the ball back towards the penalty spot before Fish is able to turn and fire a shot narrowly wide of Hart’s right-hand corner.

It’s been an impressive second-half performance from Hibs.

21:44Anthony Evans

Miller puts it wide

Hibs are now the ones wondering how they haven’t gone in front.

Skipper Newell slides a perfect ball across the boss to the on-rushing full back Miller who sees his effort go narrowly wide.

10 minutes remain in Leith.

21:40Anthony Evans

Idah fluffs his lines

The Norwich loanee passes up a huge opportunity for a second goal after failing to properly connect with a cross from close range.

Strike partner Kyogo then takes too long to get a shot away on the follow-up.

21:36Anthony Evans

Kyogo and Palma on

The Hoops desperately need the three points and have introduced Kyogo and Luis Palma in place of Maeda and Bernardo.

We are approaching the final 15 minutes of play in the capital.

21:33Anthony Evans

Goalscorer Levitt replaced

Hibs have made another change, with another new signing Luke Amos replacing Wales international Levitt.

Maolida has made a lively impact off the bench and Amos will hope to do the same.

21:32Anthony Evans

Great defending by Newell

The hosts are almost caught out with Idah racing in behind down the left after robbing Lewis Miller.

However the forward hesitates ever so slightly and allows Newell to come back and make a brilliant tackle.

21:29Anthony Evans

Lacking control

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers (Image: SNS Group)

For the second time in the space of a week, the Hoops have made an incredibly slow start to the second half.

Rodgers has now gone to his bench, introducing Maik Nawrocki and and Liel Abada in the place of Welsh and the ineffectual Kuhn.

21:27Anthony Evans

Maolida almost completes a turnaround

Hibs have their tails up and are mightily close to overturrning the deficit.

Scales doesn’t deal with Boyle’s cross from the right-hand side and Joe Hart has to react well to keep out an acrobatic effort from sub. Myziane Maolida

21:24Key Event

GOAL! Hibs 1-1 Celtic

Dylan Levitt of Hibernian scores against Celtic(Image: Getty Images)

The home side have levelled things up on the hour mark!

Joe Newell’s floated free-kick is headed down by Fish and playmaker Dylan Levitt is on hand to volley home his first goal for the club.

Game on!

21:21Anthony Evans

Big stop from Marshall

The veteran keeper comes off his line to keep his side in the game.

Bernardo threads Idah through with a excellent pass but the former Scotland number one reads it well and deflects Idah’s shot wide for a corner.

21:18Anthony Evans

Idah hits the bar

After a clever move, the striker somehow hits the crossbar from close range after getting on the end of Maeda’s superb cross.

Fortunately for Idah, an offside flag then goes up against him.

21:16Anthony Evans

Fish booked

The Hibs centre back is shown a yellow card after hauling back Bernardo on the edge of the box.

The Man United loanee will have to be careful with 38 minutes still to play.

21:09Key Event

SECOND HALF: Hibs 0-1 Celtic

The second 45 minutes at Easter Road is underway.

Neither manager has opted to make any changes for the second half.

20:57Anthony Evans

Johnston taken to hospital

Celtic’s Alistair Johnston is stretchered off after a head knock with Hibernian’s Nectar Triantis (Image: SNS Group)

The head injury sufffered by Johnston has seen the full back rushed off to hospital as a precaution.

With Ralston the only other first team player avilavble at right back, boss Rodgers will be praying that the former CF Montreal’s issue is not serious with big domestic fixtures coming thick and fast.

20:54Key Event

HALF TIME: Hibs 0-1 Celtic

Celtic’s Adam Idah celebrates (Image: SNS Group)

The whistle is blown for the half-time interval, with Idah’s first Celtic goal enough to separate the sides.

The champions have had plenty of the ball but will want to solidify their lead in the second half and also ensure that they don’t give Hibs any chance of establishing a foothold in the game.

20:50Anthony Evans

Half drawing to a close

The delay in getting treatment for Johnston has seen a minimum of five additional minutes added on at the end of the first half.

Hibs have had a couple of set piece opportunities to send men forward but have been unble to generate any pressure on Joe Hart’s goal.

20:44Anthony Evans

Less than five mins to the break

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers(Image: SNS Group)

It’s not been a classic so far, but Hoops boss Rodgers will be delighted if his team can go into the break with the advantage.

Having never won here as a manager, the Irishman will be happy to get the three points in any manner possible.

For Hibs, they just need to keep believing that they can get themselves back into the game.

20:38Anthony Evans

More good play from Hibs

Obita and Youan are linking up well down the Hibs left and the latter is able to swing a ball into the box that just goes over the head of Boyle.

Celtic haven’t really been seriously troubled but will be hoping to regain the level of control that they had in the opening stages of the game as the half nears its conclusion.

20:32Anthony Evans

A bit more even

To their credit, the home team have made it more of a contest in the last 10 minutes or so.

Hibs have pace in abundance down either flank and need to try and pick out their dangermen at every opportunity, with counter attacks also offering a real chance to break at speed.

20:27Anthony Evans

What a chance for Youan

It’s taken them 24 minutes but Hibs have passed up a huge chance with their first real sighting of goal.

Jordan Obita produces a brilliant piece of skill down the left and whips in a wicked cross that bounces off Martin Boyle into the path of Elie Youan.

However the Frenchman’s powerful effort ends up going over the bar, with Liam Scales getting a crucial touch to deny what was surely an equaliser.

20:21Anthony Evans

Maeda lively

The winger only returned from international duty at the Asia Cup earlier this week but has already threatened in behind with a couple of penetrating runs.

Maeda is also keen not to shrug his defensive duties in harassing the Hibs defenders and forcing them to play backwards or to kick it into touch.

20:17Anthony Evans

Can Hibs respond?

Montgomery’s men have failed to win in their last six league games and have got off to the worst possible start here.

Paulo Bernardo is next to get a shot off for Celtic but his effort from the edge of the box flies over the top of Marshall’s goal.

20:11Key Event

GOAL! Hibs 0-1 Celtic

Celtic’s Adam Idah scores from the penalty spot(Image: SNS Group)

The away side have gone in front – with Irishman Idah marking his first start with a goal from the spot.

The Norwich loanee keeps his cool to side-foot the ball home and send David Marshall the wrong way.

20:09Anthony Evans

Johnston has to be replaced

The severity of the collision means that the Canada international has had to leave the pitch on a stretcher, with Anthony Ralston coming on in his place.

Let’s hope the 25-year-old is okay.

20:07Anthony Evans

PENALTY TO CELTIC!

Hibernian’s Nectar Triantis fouls Celtic’s Alistair Johnston which results in a penalty(Image: SNS Group)

Referee Walsh has pointed to the spot after Triantis comes through the back of Johnston in an aerial duel.

The taking of the kick is delayed while Johnston gets medical attention.

20:05Anthony Evans

Celtic quick out the traps

The Hoops are straight on the front foot and have enjoyed lots of possession high up the pitch.

Making the breakthrough is however a different story, with the champions paying the price for not taking their chances at Pittodrie last weekend.

20:01Key Event

KICK OFF: Hibs 0-0 Celtic

And we are off!

What lies ahead for us in the next 90 minutes at Easter Road?

19:55Anthony Evans

Five minute warning

We are moments away from getting underway in Leith.

It’s a bitterly cold night in the capital, but lets hope for an exciting encounter with drama and action at both ends of the pitch.

19:49Anthony Evans

Montgomery looking for a reaction

Hibs manager Nick Montgomery(Image: PA)

The former Sheffield United player’s side were haplessly beaten by St Mirren last time out, but Montgomery reckons the chance to play Celtic will see his team rise to the occasion.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said:

Celtic are a big challenge, but last time they came here we got a good result against them. We have got to be discplined, comitted and are looking for a reaction from the weekend.

19:42Anthony Evans

Rodgers hoping to end Easter Road voodoo

The Hoops boss is yet to claim a victory in Leith across his two spells at Parkhead but is confident that his men can rectify that statisctic tonight.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said:

It will be a difficult challenge. We have had chances to win here before but it hasn’t quite happened for whatever reason. For us it is about focusing on our own game and keeping an eye on the transtition where they have good speed, but we want to play with authority and create the possibilties to score.

19:37Anthony Evans

Idah had always dreamt of Celtic move

The Republic of Ireland international admits he had always envisioned himself turning out for the Hoops and has outlined his goals for the rest of the season.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said:

Celtic have always been a club that I wanted to play for, even when I was a kid. When I knew there was interest, it was pretty much a no brainer.

I want to keep on developing and with the gaffer here I think I can do that. I want to play games score goals and hopefully at the end it we’ll come away with some silverware.

19:20Anthony Evans

Form guide

There is a lot on the line in tonight’s fixture, and for different reasons.

While Celtic are aiming to re-establish their lead at the top of the table, Hibs are desperate to end a torrid run of form and move to within four points of 4th placed Kilmarnock.

Hibs’ last five games: LDLDL

Celtic’s last five games: DWWWW

19:12Anthony Evans

Lennon backs Hoops to get job done

Despite Rangers going level on points with his former side at the summit of the table, Neil Lennon still believes Celtic will go onto retain the title.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of tonight’s game, he said:

I still expect them to win the league. They have some new players who will need to step up and play consistenly over the next few years but they have the fulcrum of a team there that are experienced and have won trophies.

19:04Anthony Evans

Title odds

Celtic have the chance to regain their three point lead at the top of the Premiership tonight, but bookmakers have now priced Old Firm rivals Rangers at odds on to go and clinch the title after their 2-1 victory over Aberdeen last night.

OLBG: Scottish Premiership title winner

Rangers 4/5

Celtic 10/11

19:02Gavin Berry

Tight at the top

Bookies are struggling to separate the top two when it comes to the betting for the Scottish Premiership. OLBG have Rangers as marginal favourites at 4/15 with the Hoops 10/11.

18:59Anthony Evans

Kyogo omitted

(Image: SNS Group)

The Japanese star has been left out of the starting eleven having failed to score in four of his last six apperances.

However the 29-year-old is still a force to be reckoned with and will be keen to come off the bench and extend his goal tally of 11 goals in 32 games in all competitions so far this season.

18:57Anthony Evans

First starts for Kuhn and Idah

January additions Kuhn and Adam Idah are both brought in to the team from the start for their full Celtic debuts.

The duo made all the difference from the bench at Pittodrie last weekend, with Norwich loanee Idah teeing up German winger Kuhn for the away team’s equaliser.

Hibs also hand a first start to midfielder Nathan Moriah-Welsh since his winter move from Bournemouth while Australian youth international Nectarios Triantis makes just his second start for the club.

18:50Key Event

Hibs team news

Starting XI: Marshall, Miller, Fish, Triantis, Obita, Levitt, Newell, Moriah-Welsh, Boyle, Youan, Vente

Subs: Wollacott, Mayenda, Amos, Stevenson, Myziane, Le Fondre, Jair, Molotnikov, Megwa

18:46Key Event

Celtic team news

Starting XI: Hart, Johnston, Welsh, Scales, Bernabei, McGregor, O’Riley, Bernardo, Kuhn, Idah, Maeda

Subs: Bain, Palma, Kyogo, Abada, Holm, Nawrocki, Vata, Kelly, Ralston

18:43Anthony Evans

Most recent encounter

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 06: Celtic’s Oh Hyeon-gyu celebrates with Kyogo Furuhashi after making it 4-0 during a cinch Premiership match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park, on December 06, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

Hibernian were on the end of a heavy 4-1 loss againt Celtic the last time the two sides met in early December.

A brace from Oh Gyeon-Gyu and a goal apiece from Palma and Matt O’Riley had the Hoops well ahead before Christian Doidge who has since left Hibs to return to Forest Green Rovers, reduced the deficit in the second half.

But with Celtic boss Rodgers yet to taste victory on the Easter Road turf, could we be in for a totally different outcome tonight?

18:35Anthony Evans

Vente out of sorts

(Image: SNS Group)

Dutch striker Dylan Vente was seen as Hibs’ marquee signing last summer, arriving in the capital for around £700,000 from Roda JC.

The 24-year-old netted on his club debut against Luzern in a Europa Conference League qualifier but has since struggled to put together a run of form, having scored just five times in 28 games in all competitions this season.

His last strike came in a 2-0 win against Aberdeen at the start of December and the former Netherlands youth international will be desperate to get back on the goal trail to help his team cast aside their recent woes.

18:29Anthony Evans

Changes needed for the Hoops?

Brendan Rodgers speaks to Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah

Despite having 71 per cent of the posession and 22 attempts on goal, the champions were found wanting in the penalty box in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Peru star Luis Palma was guilty of passing up a huge chance to get on the scoresheet, while Celtic struggled to get last season’s top scorer Kyogo into the game.

Nicolas Kuhn popped up off the bench to bail his team out in the second half last weekend and will hope that his impressive cameo in the Granite City will see him handed his first start in green-and-white.

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18:24Anthony Evans

Ref watch

Nick Walsh(Image: SNS Group)

Whistler Nick Walsh will referee tonight’s clash at Easter Road.

Walsh has dished out 93 yellow cards and two red cards in his 18 games so far this season.

He officiated Celtic’s 2-1 Old Firm victory against Rangers last December, sending off Light Blues defender with 19 minute remaining.

Walsh has yet to referee a Hibs game this season, with his last match involving the Hibees coming in a goalless draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie in May 2023.

Walsh will be helped out by assistant linesmen Dougie Potter and Ross MacLeod, with Euan Anderson as the fourth official.

Andrew Dallas will be on VAR duty with assistance from Andrew McWilliam.

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