CELTIC’S CHARGE TOWARDS an eighth straight Scottish Premiership title was slowed down by a goalless draw away to Hibernian on Sunday.
The Hoops are still firm favourites to be crowned champions once again given a draw left them nine points clear of second-placed Rangers with just four games remaining.
But it was a frustrating afternoon for Celtic all the same at Easter Road in a match where Hibs goalkeeper Ofir Marciano made several key saves during an open game which was far from one-sided, although often short on quality.
Celtic have not lost in nine games since former Hibs boss Neil Lennon took over until the end of the season in February after Brendan Rodgers’ surprise mid-season move to English Premier League side Leicester.
Hibs made a bright start with Hoops goalkeeper Scott Bain forced into saves from Ireland international Daryl Horgan and midfielder Stephane Omeonga within minutes.
But in the 10th minute Celtic’s French striker Odsonne Edouard saw a shot on the turn from a James Forrest cross flash wide of the target.
Marciano then did well to tip Olivier Ntcham’s curling shot from the edge of the box over the bar and later saved a header from Celtic defender Mikael Lustig.
Lennon replaced the struggling Ntcham with Australia’s Tom Rogic on the hour mark and five minutes later Celtic almost scored when an Edouard free-kick heading for a the top corner was saved superbly by Marciano.
Rogic drove inches wide before Edouard rounded Marciano and put the ball in the net only to be flagged for offside.
Additional reporting by Paul Fennessy
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Frustrating performance, Lennon not the man to take us forward!
@Stephen O Toole: I agree. David Wagner(ex Huddersfield) would be my choice
@Stephen O Toole: playing like that all season lad
Have been exceptionally poor all year at breaking teams down and it was going on with Rodgers too. Give youth a chance . Plenty of talent in reserves who should be getting game time this time of year
Horgan did well for hibs , put in great crosses , one inches from a goal , lustig scored most of his goals against hibs , but he missed a sitter from six yards out , Celtic only going through the games with a real lack of urgency , tough one now against Kilmarnock ? Have to up the performance .
Seriously frustrating, the players really should have closed out that game comfortably. There were more than enough opportunities to score in both halves. Lennon is too slow making changes too, bringing on Sinclar who’s been absolutely cat recently is a head scratcher! He definitely can’t be given the job.