Celtic’s u-20 side went down 1-0 to Hibs tonight with all guns blazing.
Reduced to ten men halfway through the second half following a red card issued to Darnell Fisher Celtic pushed hard for an equaliser but couldn’t cancel out Jason Cummings first half strike.
After a tame first half the hoops pushed throughout the second period for an equaliser but found home keeper Paul Grant in top form.
The defeat leaves the title race wide open with Celtic level on points with Sevco with Hibs three points behind although they have played two games more.
There wasn’t much to excite the fans in the opening stages with only a great last gasp tackle from Marcus Fraser to deny Jason Cummings a scoring chance in the 15th minute to note.
Just past the half hour mark Hibs took the lead with a smart turn and low shot from Cummings beating Leo Fasan at his left hand post.
Celtic did create a couple of chances on the break but Holmbert Fridjonsson was lacking in support as the hoops chased an equaliser.
Within a minute of the second half starting Celtic could have been on level terms but Liam Henderson headed weakly at goalkeeper Grant after being picked out by a great cross from Filip Twardzik.
In quick succession Henderson and Fridjonsson both had 25 yard free kicks held by Grant as Celtic pushed for an equaliser.
The odds on an equaliser lengthened when Fisher was ordered off in the 62nd minute with one of those challenges that ‘gives the referee the opportunity’ to show a red card.
Celtic continued to push for an equaliser but despite a number of chances found Grant in top form barring the way to goal.
A number of promising crosses were delivered into the Hibs box but found no takers with the best chance falling to Fridjonsson in the 75th minute but his effort was blocked by Grant’s legs and cleared to safety.
HIBS: Grant, Black, Boateng, Gardiner, Baptie, Harris, Smith, Thomson, Martin, Todd, Cummings
CELTIC: Fasan: Fisher, O’Connell, Fraser, Waters: Herron, Kayal (McManus 60), Lindsay, Henderson, F Twardzik (McMullan 69): Fridjonsson
SUBS: Hart, McCart, Thomson, Breslin, Hendry
