CELTIC PASSED UP the chance to claim a seventh consecutive Scottish Premiership title on Saturday, suffering a 2-1 defeat away to Hibernian.
Jamie MacLaren got Neil Lennon’s side up and running after 24 minutes, before second half substitute Vykintas Slivka put the hosts two goals to the good with ten minutes remaining.
A tidy finish from Odsonne Edouard three minutes from time looked like potentially sparking a late, great comeback.
However his strike proved a consolation as the league leaders look to next Sunday’s meeting with rivals Rangers to clinch the title.
Were results elsewhere to go in their favour, Celtic could still be crowned champions this weekend but know they can make sure of a seventh straight Scottish Premiership in that Glasgow derby in a weeks’ time.
“I thought the best team won,” the Hoops manager said afterwards.
“I thought Hibs were better than us on the day. We started very well and had good intensity but we didn’t defend well enough, so that was a disappointment.
“We didn’t play quick enough and we gave two poor goals away.
“We had five opportunities (to clinch the title) and now its down to four. Your last five games are always going to be tough, it was a tough one today and we’ve come out on the wrong side of the result.
“Now we have to get ready and look to do it next week.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
How on earth was Gearoid Hegarty overlooked for a nomination? He was one of Limerick’s best players this year ffs!
Agreed Hegarty was a colossus
Diarmuid Cody really?????
HOW on earth did he get a nomination?
He was dropped for the Carlow game and they got hammered by Wexford.
And taken off at half time against Dublin
Not a Cork man in sight. Further proof as if any were needed of how low the standard has fallen in Rebel land. Frank take another bow!
Very true but Limerick will get 11-12 players on the team with McDonald the only cert outside of them of a place.
Foley for Wexford is a cert too, Liam ryan also deserves a spot. De burca of Waterford too.
Bobby Duggan will definitely be on that team as well.
Duggan was roasted in the Munster final. Can’t see him getting selected. He was brilliant against Waterford though.
It mad to say but you can be sure a few the Kilkenny players who didn’t get nominated will end up with a pocket of All Ireland senior medals anyway…
Ha is Galway’s Paul Killeen not nominated? Gave probably the best full-back display of the summer in the semi against Limerick.
What nonsense
Galway come closer than any team all year and get a couple of token nominations. Open draw please
Why isn’t Cathal Mannion named?? Surely he should walk onto that team given he’s 1 of the front runners for young hurler of the year!!!
To be fair Mannion had a quiet game in the semi final and the nominations are taken purely from the U-21 games and not the senior ones.