CELTIC LET A two-goal lead slip as Hibernian came from behind to claim a 2-2 draw in a thrilling encounter at Easter Road on Sunday.
Scott Sinclair’s double in four second half minutes appeared to have the Scottish champions cruising to another league victory.
However, former Celtic player Efe Ambrose’s deflected shot gave Hibs hope in the 76th minute before Oli Shaw sent the home fans wild with an equaliser three minutes later.
Celtic’s 68-match unbeaten run almost came to an end in stoppage-time as Shaw’s shot was cleared off the line by Mikel Lustig to ensure a result that replicates the scoreline the last time the teams met in the league at Celtic Park in September.
The result means Celtic’s lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership has been cut to five points following rival Rangers’ 2-1 win against Ross County on Saturday.
“I thought we were outstanding in the game for the first 75 minutes and controlled the game,” Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said.
“We were 2-0 up and it should have been four or five with the chances we had and then we presented them with two goals.
“We’ll certainly reflect on it as two points dropped.”
After their disappointing defeat to Anderlecht in midweek, Celtic started the game with a point to prove and it took a perfectly-timed sliding challenge from Lewis Stevenson to nick the ball off the feet of Callum McGregor as he got in behind the Hibs defence early on.
Paul Hanlon then bravely blocked a rocket shot from Olivier Ntcham with his head before James Forrest should have given Celtic the lead.
A horrendous misplaced pass from Dylan McGeouch across his own 18-yard line was intercepted by his former Celtic teammate who raced in on goal, but the winger somehow put his shot wide of the post with only the keeper to beat.
The near miss seemed to be a wake-up for Hibs, who immediately created a chance of their own with John McGinn’s diagonal pass releasing Martin Boyle in the box but his drilled low shot was saved by Craig Gordon with his legs.
Hibs were doing well to frustrate the visitors but the game burst into life on the hour mark when Sinclair fired Celtic in front.
The winger’s shot was deflected into the path of Odsonne Edouard whose first time strike cannoned off the base of the post but Sinclair was quickest to react and bury the rebound past Marciano.
Sinclair scored his second minutes later as he cut in from the left and let fly with a thunderous strike that took a deflection off the back of Marvin Bartley on its way into the net.
The winger thought he had completed his hat-trick in the 74th minute when he sent an angled low shot into the bottom corner but his effort was adjudged to be offside.
Just as it looked Celtic were going to cruise to victory, Hibs pulled a goal back.
Ambrose pounced on a loose ball in the box after Steven Whittaker’s shot was blocked and his shot flew into the net via a deflection off Scott Brown.
Hibs had their tails up and levelled matters when Lewis Stevenson’s deflected cross fell to Shaw 12 yards out and he swivelled to fire high past Gordon.
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Mc Gregor is just a toe rag and his mates too.
@SF Nuts: totally agree. He’s nothing but a scu(m) bag. Maybe tesco might hire him to sell his muck whiskey.
@SF Nuts:
Agreed. Insufferable character.
Hopefully he’ll finally go away now and play with his money and that’s the last we’ll see/hear from him.
@Tweed Cap: He’ll be headlining the next card in a month
@SF Nuts: he’s a more accomplished individual than any commentor on here.
Proper 12 Whiskey. Now also available on tap.
@sequoia: brilliant. Take my hat off to that one :)
I don’t even know how people call that a sport, that’s up there with Badger Baiting.
@Dáithí O Raghailaigh: correct
@Dáithí O Raghailaigh: I’ve seen worse brawls in a GAA match tbh
@Dáithí O Raghailaigh: badgers don’t decide to train, don’t decide to study and don’t decide to test themselves against other badgers. You see the difference? Free will, expression , discipline, training , personal growth…
@Dáithí O Raghailaigh: well you’re clearly a moron if you can’t see the skill involved. Seriously, you must be mentally deficient.
I didn’t know that Conor could squeal like a little girl? Pride humbled – and then humiliated – is a awesome thing.
@Jane Aelst: make yourself feel better?
It’s interesting how the worm has turned on McGregor, not to Long ago social media and the comments on the site were full of how he was putting Ireland on the map and what a great role model he was for kids to follow their dreams.I think people have just got sick of his antics .Contrast McGregor to Anthony Joshua who is a great champion and a class act in and out of the ring, he is a real sporting role model
@Robert Woodward: Problem with Irish people is they enjoy seeing somebody’s rise to the top. Once you’re there, they hate them.
@Robert Woodward: He well and truly “Put Ireland on the map last night” —–for all the wrong reasons!!
@Robert Woodward: Coinage.
@Earl of Daventry: well said. The amount of people that go take time to stick the boot in is very Irish. Shows a lack of understanding of what’s involved and thereby reduces their right to pass judgement on character. I hope he comes back and beats Khabib. Doubt it but I hope he does.
@Robert Woodward: Anthony joshua who was convicted for drug offenses?
@Robert Woodward:
The question is who turned first? Conor or the worm? A couple of years ago he was someone that regardless of your opinion on UFC, it was difficult to dislike him. He was a great example of getting out and doing something with your life and a positive role model to young people.
Jump forward 2 years, he made more money before his 30th birthday than most people do in their lives, I find it an awful shame that he has been constantly in the media for the wrong reasons. This behaviour wears people out and the rough charm disappears.
@Michael Henvey: spot on! The native begrudgery is one of the most disgusting traits I’ve come across.
Feeling the need to weigh in, without any respect for what it has taken to get to this position, is the sign of a weak mind and makes me disappointed to be Irish, at times.
He’s spent 2 years out of the sport and his come back fight against an undefeated hungry active fighter?? The reality was McGregor should of taken at least 1 or 2 fights before he went up against Khabib. Khabib shouldn’t give him a rematch he’s beaten him easily enough. McGregor has a 6 fight deal so maybe do like Dustin Poirier and fight his way back for another title shot. I think making $100 million+ you loose some hunger and that’s what makes the difference sometimes.
@Davidnoack: spot on comment. Hunger is gone. Not a sport for hobbyists
@Davidnoack: why do people always talk about the money McGregor making .Do you ever hear people talking about the money Messi, or Usain Bolt or Rodger Feder or Tom Brady or Jonnie Sexton have.They are all doing well but people don’t talk about that , they talk about what they have won, they are winners and the money is a secondary consideration.
@Robert Woodward: its because the UFC like boxing is prize fighting. People do it to earn the purse you wouldn’t risk your life in the ring otherwise.
And Conor happens to be a master at negotiating massive purses for himself so that alone is news
@Robert Woodward: I’m just pointing out that when you have made a lot of money from a sport your drive and hunger sometimes isn’t a 100% and that’s what can be the difference between winning and losing. Rory Macilroy got a massive Nike deal and his form seriously dipped. With the UFC if your form dips you loose and usually career is over.
I’m having a McGregor Whiskey and diet choke after that laugh.
Whilst I’d like to think that it’s another theatrical staging, the thuggery appeared to be spontaneous. McGregor says he’s not pressing charges but surely it’s up to the police to make that call?
@Brendan T. M. P. Bur: they were certainly released very very quickly too, but yes many of the charges would be decided by the police and would not require a victim statement.
@Paul Fahey: Well versed on nevada state law as well as an expert on the north? Anything you aren’t an expert on?
@Mel roberts: Oh dear you really are not the brightest and yes I am a well versed in law as it is my profession. Like i knew you had chips on your shoulder seems you knew my prodession. Both psychic, now would you like vinegar with those.
@Paul Fahey: So you practice your profession in nevada???? For someone thats not very bright at least i proof read my comments!! Prodession is new on me
@Mel roberts: seems I do know what I am talking about and you are indeed utterly clueless.
https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/ufc/news/19828/11521544/no-arrests-after-ufc-mcgregor-v-khabib-fight-in-las-vegas-say-police
Glad he lost
Please take a moment to think of the tailors of Dublin who this morning face financial ruin, what will happen to the retailers who put their life savings into 3 piece peak lapel suits, french cuffed shirts and hopsack blazers?
What sort of accents do you people have
@Jonny: wannabe yank accents
@Lambo Moonski:
@Lambo Moonski: :) :) :) :) :) :)
can’t call this a sport, more like WWE with all the staging and story lines – yawn
@James Milligan: blah blah blah. At least make some effort to be witty or humorous…simple minds, simple pleasures, I suppose.
Another panto. Another day to rake in more money from people who call McGregor ‘Conor’ like he was their BFF. I’m convinced the guy is actually a genius, and only pretending to be a mouthy thug
@Paddy Downey: It’s a contrived act to sell tickets and PPV’s. Conor went to America with a business plan, gave the fans what they wanted in the process and made a lot of money. More respectful, humble fighters who are technically better than conor are still fighting for peanuts in comparison. He is a genius, very high IQ behind the hype and hyperbole. All that aside, he was badly exposed last night, very difficult to come back from the beating he took.
@Paddy Downey: he sees nothing wrong with hanging around with gangsters, so no he’s not pretending. He is a thug in a ‘sport’ for thugs.
@Dermot Lane: tool
Rematch….
@Willy Mc Caul: yep, apparently Conor has already tweeted he is looking forward to it. I agree with Gavan in this, did he really do anything to deserve one?
@Willy Mc Caul: I hope not, Conor has no plan B against Khabib who is technically far superior. Khabib went toe to toe in the 3rd round just to prove that he is better standing up or on the ground. Not sure where Conor goes from here, he looked on the decline last night, probably better to call it a day and focus on his business interests.
@Willy Mc Caul: isn’t that the first thing he said when Diaz beat him, but yet he’s never given a rematch or even defended a belt!
@Tony Maguire: How do you get past Khabib’s wrestling?? His legs alone?? Bear in mind he lost his first ever round tonight, nevermind fight. Conor vs. Tony.
Oh on the ground?…thought you’d be in the sky in Vegas.
Khabib owned McGregor last night. Regardless of all the antics, it will go down as a definitive victory.
Hats off to The Eagle for getting it done so convincingly. Not the result I was hoping for…
Lol at the middle class nerds who are enjoying this great warriors downfall
McGregor is a marketing genuis, how many turned up and tuned in to witness his beating,all fairly contrived and now set up for a remarkable comeback fight in Vegas.. he’s a cash cow.
Who won?
@Gene Parmesan: Dana
Thugs, all of them!
Am I missing something or did Khabib attack, was this not self defence? Obviously it’ll kick off then, but squarely all the blame is on Khabib imo.
Dana White is a focking joke!…..total hypocrite!….only in it for the money.
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