Celtic’s reserve side staged a brilliant second half fightback to earn a 2-2 draw with Hibs.
Tommy McIntyre’s side were barely able to string a move together during the first 45 minutes but after the break it was all change with the hoops throwing everything at the Hibs goal.
Wallace Duffy and Jack Aitchison leveled the scores before the hour mark but despite creating a dozen or more chances the third goal proved to be elusive.
Hibs dictated play throughout the first half forcing Conor Hazard to save well from Galantes in the 10th minute but the visitors took the lead a minute later with a similar move completed by former Celt Innes Murray whose low shot found the net from 15 yards out.
Celtic were struggling to put any pressure on the Edinburgh side with the visitors looking sharper and more purposeful in possession.
Just before the half hour Hibs doubled their lead when Yrik Galantes was put through on Hazard and curled his shot out of reach of the Celtic keeper.
Celtic had a few scraps around the Hibs penalty box but there was little to worry Maciej Dabrowski in the Hibs goal.
Five minutes into the second half Celtic were back in contention after forcing a few corners. When a loose ball broke to Kerr McInroy his shot was going nowhere in particular but a deflection took it to Duffy who showed good composure to drill the ball across the keeper into the net from 15 yards out.
Aitchison had moved into the centre forward position at the break, ten minutes into the second half the Scotland youth team striker leveled the scores when he raced onto a long ball and poked his shot past the onrushing Dabrowski from 20 yards out.
Celtic were unrecognisable from their first half display, with Crossan wide right and Aitchison through the middle the Hibs defence were struggling to keep the hoops at bay.
Dabrowski pulled off some impressive saves but was grateful for the linesman’s flag in the 80th minute when Aitchison popped the ball home.
There was some incredible misses around the Hibs goal as the Edinburgh side hung on for a draw.
In contrast to the way the first team seemed resigned to a draw at Easter Road the young Celts played with incredible passion to get back into the game with a point scant reward for their efforts.
CELTIC: Hazard; Bell (Deas 46), Welsh, Duffy, Church; Bitton (McLaughlin 74), McInroy; Robertson, Aitchison, Oko-Flex; Crossan
SUBS Willison, Kennedy, Mazis, Diver, Caffrey