disappointment as hibs take the spoils
David Friel
AN injury-time winner from Danny Galbraith gave Hibernian all three points and put a dent in Celtic’s title hopes.
The Hoops had taken the lead after just five minutes when Marc-Antoine Fortune headed home Paul Caddis’ corner.
Anthony Stokes equalised midway through the first-half and, despite huge Celtic pressure in the second-half, it was the visitors who stole the victory in added on time.
Tony Mowbray was forced to make one change to his side following the impressive 4-1 win over St Johnstone.
Glenn Loovens was still suffering the effects of his head knock from Sunday’s match and he was replaced in central defence by Darren O’Dea, with Paul Caddis moving to the left-back position.
New Bhoys Morten Rasmussen and Jos Hooived were also on the bench and in line for their first appearance.
The Hoops started the match in determined mood and quickly had the visitors on the back-foot and it was no surprise when they went in front after just five minutes.
A typical run from Aiden McGeady on the left won a corner off Kevin McBride. Paul Caddis swung in the cross and Marc-Antoine Fortune continued his recent goalscoring run by rising highest in the box to head the ball in off the underside of the bar.
McGeady had looked in the mood from kick-off and, as well as causing consternation to Hibs’ right-back David Wotherspoon, the winger threatened goalkeeper Graeme Smith several times with shots from the edge of the area.
At this stage, it looked like Celtic would add to their lead with Samaras and Fortune creating havoc, and it was the latter who was next to try his luck.
On 15 minutes Caddis dug out a low cross, aiming for Samaras. The Greek striker was beaten to the ball by his marker, but the ball fell kindly to Fortune whose left foot shot was blocked.
But despite all this early pressure, Hibs drew level midway through the half. From an innocuous free-kick, Chris Hogg headed back across goal and Artur Boruc had to dive to his left to prevent Josh Thompson scoring an own goal.
From the resulting corner, Stokes nipped in front of Boruc to head the ball home. That seemed to spark the visitors into life and first Riordan, then Stokes tested Boruc with long-range efforts.
It was not until late in the half that Celtic were able to drag themselves back into the game. And for a brief moment it looked like they would go in front.
Marc Crosas floated in a free-kick and when Samaras challenged Smith, the ball fell kindly for Darren O’Dea who prodded home.
But referee Iain Brines drew the anger of the crowd by chopping off the goal for a foul on Smith. And the referee further provoked the anger of the crowd when he booked Samaras after Smith seemed to run into him.
After the break the Hoops immediately re-took the initiative. Within 60 seconds of the restart, a driving run from Fortune found McGeady in space in the box but, under-pressure, he could only drag his shot wide of the near-post.
And on 55 minutes Samaras passed up a fantastic chance to put Celtic back in front. After a cross was fired in from left by Caddis, the ball was fired back in from the right and the Greek striker found himself unmarked just yards from goal, but he miss-hit his shot.
The home side were now pouring forward and McGinn drew a great save from Smith after Samaras knocked the ball down to him inside the box.
On 66 minutes Samaras was agonisingly close again to restoring the lead. Caddis hit the byline and delivered a dangerous cross, but just when it looked easier to burst the net, he headed over the bar.
That was the cue for Tony Mowbray to introduce new signing Morten Rasmussen to the fray in search of a goal.
However, although dominating possession in midfield and forcing a succession of corners, the Hoops were finding it difficult to breach the Hibs backline.
As Celtic pushed for the winner late in the game, Hibs broke forward and Rankin found Galbraith in the box and he beat the offside trap and drove beyond Boruc into the corner.
CELTIC...1
(Fortune 5)
HIBS...2
(Stokes 25, Galbraith 90)
CELTIC (4-4-2) Boruc; Hinkel, Thompson, O’Dea, Caddis, McGinn (Ki 60) Crosas, Zheng ( McCourt 71), McGeady, Samaras (Rasmussen 67) Fortune
SUBS: Zaluska, Hooiveld, McGowan, Rasmussen, McCourt, Ki, Naylor.
BOOKED: Samaras 45
HIBS (4-3-3) Smith, Wotherspoon, Hogg, Hanlon, Murray, Miller, McBride, Rankin , Riordan (Stevenson 64), Nish (Galbraith), Stokes.
SUBS: Ma-Kalambay, Cregg, McCormack, Stevenson, Benjelloun, McCann Galbraith.
BOOKED: Rankin 61
Referee: Iain Brines
WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: Josh Thompson
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