Scottish Premiership
Saturday, November 21, 2020
Easter Road

HIBERNIAN…2
(Murphy 52, Nisbet 59)

CELTIC…2
(Edouard 80pen, Laxalt 90)

DIEGO Laxalt rescued a point for Celtic at Easter Road as the Hoops fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Hibernian in added time.

Jamie Murphy put the home side ahead early in the second half and Kevin Nisbet doubled Hibs’ lead seven minutes later. Odsonne Edouard grabbed a goal back from the penalty spot with 10 minutes remaining before Laxalt grabbed the equaliser in injury time.

Celtic started with a good tempo and were purposeful in their attacking intent. Hibernian keeper Ofir Marciano was under pressure early on, and Hibs found themselves chasing the game as Celtic zipped the ball around in search of an opening.

Albian Ajeti had his first sight on goal in the 11th minute after turning away from Paul Hanlon, skipping away from another challenge and firing off a left-foot shot from the edge of the area but the Swiss striker could not keep his shot from rising high over the crossbar.

Celtic also threatened through the middle, with Ryan Christie seeing a shot blocked from the edge of the penalty area and Ajeti narrowly missing out on a through ball into the box.

Elyounoussi nearly added to his recent goal tally after Christie beat Ryan Porteous on the byline and rolled the ball to his team-mate inside the penalty area, but the Norwegian’s right-footed shot was blocked.

Christie was lively in midfield despite having played so many minutes for Scotland over the international break and looked most likely to score for Celtic. He forced an excellent save from Marciano shortly before half-time with a curling left-foot shot that was fizzing towards the far corner before the Hibs keeper tipped it over the bar.

Celtic picked up from where they left off at the start of the second period and wasted no time in testing Marciano, and the Israeli keeper had to punch clear Christie’s shot from 25 yards out.

Hibernian were gifted a way into the game six minutes into the second half when Martin Boyle went down in the box under a challenge from Scott Brown and the referee awarded a penalty. Scott Bain saved Kevin Nisbet's spot-kick, but Jamie Murphy was first to the rebound and slotted the ball in off the far post.

And the Hoops were dealt a further blow just before the hour mark when Jack Ross’ side doubled their lead. Murphy was given space to head on a long ball 25 yards from goal which Nisbet ran on to and rifled the ball in off the far post.

Hibs continued to attack when in possession but Celtic gradually began to threaten in front of goal. Edouard almost reduced the deficit after Christie slipped an excellent pass through, but the keeper dived low to make a good save and deny the Frenchman.

Neil Lennon made further changes with less than 20 minutes to go as he switched to a back three and brought Leigh Griffiths on alongside Edouard. The strike pairing showed early signs of scoring with some neat play on the edge of the area resulting in Griffiths teeing Edouard up, but Marciano again rescued his side with a great save.

Celtic’s pressure paid off with 10 minutes remaining and Hibs conceded a penalty after a Paul McGinn handball.

Edouard fired into the top corner and Celtic immediately set about pushing for an equaliser. Christie and Rogic both had shots saved in the closing minutes but their attempts were comfortable saves for the Hibs stopper.

Celtic’s persistence broke Hibs in the dying minutes of the game and an attempted clearance from a corner was intercepted by Diego Laxalt who quickly pulled the trigger and smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

CELTIC: Bain; Bitton, Brown (Duffy 72), Ajeti (Edouard 57), Christie, Rogic (Ntcham 87), Elyounoussi (Griffiths 72), Frimpong, Ajer, McGregor, Laxalt.
Subs: Barkas, Taylor, Klimala, Elhamed, Henderson

HIBERNIAN: Marciano; P. McGinn, Hanlon, Porteous, Mackie, Gogic, Boyle, Mallan (Hallberg 84), Newell (S. McGinn 89), Murphy (Gray 80), Nisbet
Subs: Barnes , McGregor, Doig, Wright, Bradley, Gullan.

Celts draw against Hibernian after late comeback