Ange Postecoglou reacts as Celtic’s winless run continues

By Patrick Sinat

May 24, 2023

Celtic continue their end-of-season winless streak with a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Hibs at Easter Road tonight.

The first half was fairly quiet despite both sides having opportunities to open the scoring early. Anthony Ralston, Hyeongyu Oh and Liel Abada all had chances to put Celtic ahead in the first thirty minutes of the match. But Ralston’s effort was knocked over the bar, Oh hit the bar and Abada knocked his chance well wide.

The deadlock was finally broken after Callum McGregor was completely wiped out by Hibs defender Lewis Stevenson. Hatate converted the spot kick to send Celtic in at half-time 1-0 up.

The second half was frantic and full of incidents. Hibs equalised in the 52nd minute after Elie Youan steered home a perfect volley after a poor clearance from Ralston.

Oh restored the lead in the 58^th minute after a through ball from Bernabei was placed home after the Korean battled the Hibs defence for the loose ball.

It all turned upside down for the Hoops when Maeda was sent off in the 67^th minute for persistent fouling. In truth, Maeda was unfairly booked in the first half but the winger should have still reigned it in after a quiet first-half word from Celtic captain, Callum McGregor.

Hibs equalised after Ralston conceded a penalty for a foul in the box and Kevin Nisbet converted. Elie Yoan put Hibs 3-2 up after Scott Bain fluffed a long-range effort in the 80^th minute.

Paul Hanlon compounded Celtic’s pain in the 86^th minute by adding the Edinburgh side’s fourth, although the goal was credited to Bernabei as an own goal.

Ange Postecoglou was asked his thoughts on the result after the game on BBC Sportsound and the Celtic manager was fairly philosophical.

Postecoglou said, “It just got a bit chaotic towards the end there. I think up until the sending off we were in a good position looking to finish strong.

“Then the sending off, sort of, gives them a bit of a lift and then there was a bit of chaos after that. Cancelled red cards and penalties. So yeah, it got a bit chaotic in the last half an hour and they got on top of us.”

When asked about Scott Bain’s error for Hibs’ third, Ange said, “I thought he was really good up until that point, to be honest. I thought he handled himself really well.

“Some of this is on me. I’m making a lot of changes and putting guys in there who haven’t played for a very long time.

“And in many ways, it’s a little bit unfair on them. I guess it’s just my way of doing things. I just feel that at times you just got to put people in the game and it’s easier coming into the team when it’s a settled lineup.

“And then when I’m making so many changes. So you know, a lot of this is on me but it’s just something I think we needed to do.”

Next up for Celtic is Trophy Day against Aberdeen this Saturday where the fans will be hoping for a better performance to match the occasion of the day.