On Sunday May 3 2026 Celtic travelled to Easter Road to face Hibernian in a crucial Scottish Premiership clash that carried huge weight in the title race.
The match ended 2 1 in favour of Celtic but the result told only part of the story. It was a tense, controversial and emotionally charged encounter that left supporters talking long after the final whistle.
Goals from Daizen Maeda and substitute Kelechi Iheanacho secured the win for Celtic, but the performance was far from comfortable. In fact, manager Martin O’Neill later admitted that his side benefited from certain moments during the game, a comment that immediately sparked discussion across Scottish football.
His post match reflection was simple but striking. He said Celtic had “a few things in our favour” during the match, a statement that many interpreted as an acknowledgment that the victory was not entirely straightforward or dominant.
High Stakes in the Scottish Premiership Title Race
This fixture came at a crucial point in the Scottish Premiership season. Celtic were pushing to keep pace at the top of the table, with Hearts leading the race and Rangers still within striking distance. Every match carried pressure, and dropping points at Easter Road would have been a major setback.
Hibernian entered the game with their own motivation. Despite inconsistency during the season, they had shown strong fighting spirit in previous matches, even when reduced to fewer players. That resilience would again become a major theme of this encounter.
From the opening minutes, Celtic looked sharp in possession and controlled large parts of the game. However, they struggled to turn dominance into clear chances, and Hibs gradually grew into the match with disciplined defending and quick counter attacks.
First Half Drama VAR Decisions and Momentum Shifts
The breakthrough came just before half time when Daizen Maeda found the net for Celtic. The move was well constructed and finished with pace and precision, but there was immediate tension as VAR checked the goal for a potential offside in the build up. After a brief pause, the goal was awarded, giving Celtic a 1 0 lead.
The atmosphere shifted again just before the interval. In stoppage time Hibernian struck back through Joe Newell, who finished clinically after a well worked attacking move. The goal was surrounded by controversy as Celtic players appealed for a possible handball in the build up, but the referee allowed it to stand.
Suddenly the match was level at 1 1 and the home crowd erupted, sensing a possible upset.
The Red Card That Changed Everything
The most decisive moment of the match came when Hibernian were reduced to ten men. Jamie McGrath was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Alistair Johnston. The decision was checked but ultimately upheld, leaving Hibs with a major disadvantage for the remainder of the game.
Despite going down to ten men, Hibernian refused to collapse. Instead they reorganised defensively and continued to compete aggressively, making life extremely difficult for Celtic.
It was during this period that Martin O’Neill later made a revealing observation. He admitted that Celtic may have actually played better when Hibs had eleven players on the pitch, suggesting that the psychological shift after the red card disrupted Celtic’s rhythm more than it helped them.
Iheanacho Once Again the Difference Maker
As the match progressed into the second half, Celtic manager Martin O’Neill turned to his bench in search of a breakthrough. One of those changes proved decisive.
Kelechi Iheanacho, who has developed a reputation for scoring important goals off the bench, entered the match around the 70 minute mark. Just minutes later, he made his impact felt.
The goal came from a well delivered cross by Kieran Tierney. Iheanacho positioned himself perfectly inside the box, controlled the ball calmly, and finished with composure to restore Celtic’s lead at 2 1.
It was another example of his growing importance to the squad. O’Neill was full of praise afterwards, describing his contribution as outstanding and highlighting his consistency in crucial moments.
A Nervy Finish Under Pressure
Even after retaking the lead, Celtic were far from comfortable. Hibernian, despite being down to ten men, continued to push forward in search of an equaliser. They committed players into attacking positions and forced Celtic into a defensive mindset during the final stages.
Celtic struggled to maintain control of possession and at times looked vulnerable under pressure. Several late chances and dangerous balls into the box created anxiety among the visiting supporters.
When the final whistle finally blew, Celtic had secured all three points, but the relief was clear.
Martin O’Neill’s Honest Post Match Reaction
After the game, Martin O’Neill delivered a refreshingly honest assessment of the performance. Rather than focusing purely on the win, he acknowledged the difficult nature of the match and admitted that Celtic had benefited from certain key moments.
He stated that the team had “a few things in our favour” and also described the performance as “nervy” and at times disjointed. He even suggested that Celtic may have been their own worst enemies during parts of the game.
His comments reflected a manager who is more focused on long term improvement than short term celebration. He recognised that while the result was important in the title race, the performance itself left room for concern.
Title Race Implications Still Wide Open
The victory ensured Celtic remained firmly in the title conversation. With Hearts still leading and Rangers applying pressure, every point matters at this stage of the season.
Celtic’s win moved them level on points with Hearts, although goal difference still plays a crucial role in separating the top teams. Rangers remain close enough to take advantage of any slip ups, meaning the race is far from settled.
Matches like this one could prove decisive in the final standings. Grinding out results even when not performing at their best may ultimately define Celtic’s season.
Tactical Observations and Key Performers
Several key players stood out during the match. Daizen Maeda once again showed his importance with his pace and movement, constantly stretching the Hibs defence and creating attacking opportunities.
Kelechi Iheanacho continued his reputation as a decisive substitute, delivering yet another crucial goal when it mattered most. His ability to remain calm in high pressure moments is becoming a major asset for Celtic.
In defence, Celtic held firm despite late pressure, but there were moments of uncertainty that could have been punished on another day. Hibernian’s aggressive pressing and determination made life uncomfortable until the final whistle.
Hibernian’s Discipline Problems Continue
One of the recurring issues for Hibernian this season has been discipline. The red card for Jamie McGrath added to a growing list of dismissals, raising questions about decision making under pressure.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Hibs showed commendable resilience and continued to compete strongly. However, repeated red cards are likely to hinder their progress in the league and could become a major concern for the coaching staff.
Final Thoughts
Celtic’s 2 1 win over Hibernian was a match defined by tension, controversy and fine margins. While the result keeps them firmly in the title race, the performance highlighted areas that still require improvement.
Martin O’Neill’s candid admission that Celtic had “a few things in our favour” added an extra layer of intrigue to the result and has already sparked debate among supporters and analysts.
In the end, it was a classic case of a team finding a way to win without producing their best football. In a tight title race, those are often the matches that make the biggest difference.
