It has been the story of Celtic’s season: Don’t make things easy for yourself.
That was proven on Sunday at Easter Road as Celtic beat ten-man Hibernian 2-1 to go level on points with Premiership leaders Hearts at the top of the table.
67 Hail Hail analysed three things learned from this nail-biting win for Martin O’Neill’s side, with the likes of Liam Scales and match-winner Kelechi Iheanacho featuring.
How about that, Celtic fans? Three massive points
Kelechi Iheanacho yet again!
Liam Scales proves why he divides opinion with Celtic fans
Make no bones about it, Joe Newell’s goal for Hibernian shouldn’t have stood. It hit his hand before he could put it into the back of the net.
But how that goal came about shouldn’t be forgotten. Scales sold his pass short, from just inside his own half, which was intercepted. That then led to the free kick, which led to Newell scoring.
There have been periods this season when Scales has been brilliant for Celtic and an underrated player.
But as he proved with that moment against Hibs, he still has those bad and unnecessary moments in him, and it’s why he divides opinion.
Goal number 15 from the bench for Celtic
It’s happened again. Iheanacho just can’t stop scoring…from the bench for Celtic!
With the Hoops going into the break level against ten men, you just knew the second half would prove to be frustrating, and that’s exactly what happened.
But minutes after Iheanacho came onto the pitch, he was putting the ball into the back of the net, after chesting the ball down magnificently from a corner and firing into the back of the net.
That goal also meant that Celtic’s subs have now netted 15 goals this season. More than anyone else in the Premiership.
| Team | Goals by Substitutes |
|---|---|
| Celtic | 15 |
| Rangers | 13 |
| Hibernian | 11 |
| Hearts | 9 |
| Aberdeen | 8 |
Pressure on Hearts and Rangers
It wasn’t easy, and Celtic have made a habit of that this season. But this is a massive three points ahead of Hearts’ showdown against Rangers on Bank Holiday Monday.
On paper, a point suits O’Neill’s side. But either way, this is going to be a monumental game in this crazy three-way Premiership title race.
There will now be extra pressure on both teams, and the Celtic Park faithful can relax and watch the drama and chaos unfold at Tynecastle.
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