Celtic’s development side fell to a classic sucker punch as they drew 1-1 at home to Hibs.
The hoops had hit Hibs with virtually everything as they attempted to build on a second minute own goal from Neil Martyneuk but were caught out in the 86th minute when substitute Cody Mulhall curled a shot around Leo Fasan.
The changing nature of the Development League was obvious with Leigh Griffiths, Stefan Scepovic, Beram Kayal and Jo Inge Berget all involved despite being on first team duty at Aberdeen.
Celtic set the tone from the first minute with veteran Hibs keeper Alan Combe doing well to push a Leigh Griffiths header over the bar for a corner.
The opening goal was barely delayed with Martyneuk putting a near post cross from Liam Henderson into his own net with Paul McMullan breathing down his neck.
Celtic’s aggressive start to the match certainly had Hibs rattled with Tom Gardner booked for a clash with Stefan Scepovic that saw the Celtic striker booked for retaliating. Shortly afterwards Beram Kayal was less than impressed when the ball was blasted at him from close range after he had been fouled.
The hoops failed to add to that early lead but started the second half brightly with Scepovic shooting over from 15 yards after McMullan had ran through the centre of the Hibs defence.
In the 50th minute Kayal sent Griffiths free on goal with the striker relieved to see the linesman flag for offside after Combe blocked his shot.
Berget was next to try his luck at goal with Combe well positioned to save the Norwegian’s header from a corner by McMullan.
It was one way traffic towards the Hibs goal but despite chances falling to Berget, Scepovic and McMullan the hoops were unable to extend their lead.
Those missed chances proved costly in the 86th minute when substitute Mulhall found space at the edge of the Celtic box and arced a left foot shot around Fasan
CELTIC: Fasan; Lindsay, O’Connell, Findlay, Waters; Kayal, Henderson; Griffiths, Berget, McMullan; Scepovic
SUBS: Tierney, Hart, McCart, Thomson, Breslin
