Interim Celtic boss Martin O’Neill maintained his perfect domestic run as two rapid first-half goals helped his side defeat Hibernian and move to within two points of Premiership leaders Hearts, with a game in hand still to play.
O’Neill, who said before kick-off that he expects to remain in charge for Wednesday’s match against Dundee while Wilfried Nancy’s paperwork is completed, collected his sixth win in seven games thanks to finishes from Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels.
Hibs had begun brightly, carving out early chances for Martin Boyle and Jamie McGrath, but both failed to hit the target.
Minutes later, a defensive lapse turned the match on its head.
A loose pass from goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger gifted Reo Hatate possession on the edge of the box, and he squared for Maeda to roll the ball into an unguarded net.
Just 33 seconds later, Engels made it 2–0, bravely diving in to head home Hyun-Jun Yang’s cross despite taking a boot to the face.
Celtic nearly killed the contest before the break when Maeda cleverly flicked the ball into Marcelo Saracchi’s path, only for the full-back to strike the post.
Hibs, however, refused to fold.
They came out rejuvenated after half-time, and Boyle pulled one back from the penalty spot following a VAR-awarded handball against Liam Scales.
The goal sparked belief, and the visitors pushed hard for an equaliser.
Chris Cadden came agonisingly close late on, but Kasper Schmeichel produced a vital save with his legs to protect Celtic’s lead.
This was a performance reminiscent of Celtic at their high-tempo best-full of energy, quick pressing, and clean attacking combinations.
Qualities that had faded over recent months resurfaced convincingly.
Much of that shift comes down to O’Neill’s influence.
These are the same players who struggled under Brendan Rodgers earlier this season, yet they suddenly look revived.
Maeda was relentless, Hatate looked sharp and inventive, and Yang - so often inconsistent - has now delivered standout displays in consecutive matches against Feyenoord and Hibs.
With O’Neill pulling strong performances from a squad that had lost its identity, it’s becoming easy to see why many supporters may welcome a longer stint for him in the dugout.
Hibs, meanwhile, will be frustrated by their own part in the defeat.
Their blistering start deserved a goal, but wastefulness in front of goal followed by two rapid Celtic strikes left them chasing shadows.
Despite a spirited second-half effort, back-to-back losses mark a setback for David Gray’s side.
Hibernian head coach David Gray: "For very large periods we were on top. We definitely deserved to get something.
"I saw everything I asked the players to do. You need to take your chances against a team like Celtic, that's something that's maybe let us down today.
"You give Celtic a two-goal head start, it's a difficult thing [to come back from]. The players maybe got spooked by that. We saw a really positve reaction second half."
Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill: "We played some really, really lovely football again [in the first half]. The last 20-odd minutes [in the second half], I was so, so pleased with the team.
"The second half I knew Hibs would come strong. That's when the tiredness sets in, so for us to see the game through was pleasing."
