Martin O’Neill tasted domestic defeat for the first time since returning to Celtic as his side dropped three crucial points in the race for the Scottish Premiership title with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Hibernian.
Substitute Kai Andrews netted a dramatic winner three minutes from time to earn Hibs’ first victory at Celtic Park since 2010.
Felix Passlack had initially fired the visitors ahead before Benjamin Nygren netted his 18th of the season to equalise on the stroke of half-time.
Despite a period of relentless second-half pressure, the champions were forced to play the final 17 minutes of the game with 10 men when Auston Trusty was shown a straight red card.
Celtic trail league leaders Hearts by six points ahead of a testing run of four consecutive away fixtures – including next weekend’s Old Firm game at Ibrox – live on Sky Sports.
Celtic got off to the worst possible start.
Once again, they found themselves behind as Passlack headed in Nicky Cadden’s sublime cross to open the scoring after 24 minutes.
It could and should have been worse.
Three minutes later Cadden picked out Martin Boyle’s clever run in behind Celtic’s backline. The Australian tried to round Kasper Schmeichel, but he took his touch too wide, and opted to shoot instead of squaring it to either Jamie McGrath or Owen Elding who were queuing up for a tap-in.
A let-off for the champions who responded with a barrage of attacks in their quest of an equaliser before the break.
Tomas Cvancara and Hyun-Jun Yang passed up golden opportunities before the in-form Nygren stepped up once again.
The Sweden international midfielder produced a diving header to convert from Kieran Tierney’s deflected cross on the stroke of half-time.
Celtic started the second half in the groove with wave after wave of green and white attack, but ultimately they paid the price for not taking advantage of their dominance.
Defender Auston Trusty was sent off in the 73rd minute for punching Jamie McGrath in the arm at a corner, and that’s when the game changed.
Hibs smelled blood and eventually got their winner in the 87th minute through Andrews.
The Coventry City loanee combined well with fellow substitute Arne Suto before calmly dispatching the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
What’s coming up in the Scottish Premiership?
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
