Scottish PremiershipSunday, May 3 2026Easter Road, Edinburgh HIBERNIAN…1(Newell 45+3) CELTIC…2(Maeda 41 & Iheanacho 72) Celtic will return to Glasgow with three precious points after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Hibernian at Easter Road moved Martin O’Neill’s side level with Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership table. In a game packed with drama, VAR checks, a red card and long spells of Celtic pressure, the Hoops found a way to get the job done in Edinburgh, with goals from Daizen Maeda and substitute Kelechi Iheanacho proving decisive. Celtic made a strong start and created a big early opening after excellent work from Maeda, who won possession from Jack Iredale high up the pitch. Yang pounced on the loose pass, drove into the box and looked to cut the ball back for Benjamin Nygren, whose right-footed effort was blocked by Rocky Bushiri. Moments later, Callum McGregor lifted a clever pass over the Hibernian defence to find Maeda, who timed his run well and took the ball down before firing over the bar as Celtic continued to look dangerous in the opening stages. There was then a VAR check for a possible penalty after Maeda appeared to be clipped inside the box by Jordan Smith, but after a review, the decision was made not to award a spot-kick. The game’s first major turning point arrived after 19 minutes when Jamie McGrath was initially shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Alistair Johnston. Referee David Dickinson was then sent to the monitor, and after reviewing the incident, upgraded the punishment to a red card, leaving Hibernian to play the rest of the match with 10 men. Celtic continued to press for the opener, and Yang almost created it with a brilliant pass on the counter-attack to release Maeda. The Japanese forward stayed onside and timed his run well, but pulled his shot just wide of Jordan Smith’s goal. Johnston, making his first start since October, was heavily involved down the right and picked out Sebastian Tounekti at the back post with a lofted ball. The Tunisian controlled it well and found Nygren, whose left-footed strike was parried away by Smith. The breakthrough finally arrived four minutes before the interval. Following a well-worked move, Johnston fired the ball across the six-yard box, where Maeda was on hand to tap home from close-range. Assistant referee Douglas Ross initially raised his flag for offside, but VAR overturned the decision after replays showed Maeda was behind the pass, giving Celtic a deserved 1-0 lead. However, Hibernian found a leveller deep into first-half stoppage time. Cadden’s delivery to the back post was headed back into the danger area by Martin Boyle, and after Viljami Sinisalo was unable to clear strongly enough, Joe Newell prodded the ball home. After a lengthy VAR check for offside and handball, the goal was awarded, giving the 10 men a lifeline.Hibernian made changes at the break, introducing Jordan Obita and Josh Campbell, and both were quickly involved in the action. Obita was booked after catching Yang in the face with an outstretched hand, before Campbell was also shown a yellow card following a coming together with Maeda after a physical challenge on Nygren. Celtic continued to push for a second goal, with Kieran Tierney’s corner eventually falling to McGregor outside the box, but his effort was comfortably gathered by Smith. Tounekti then delivered a dangerous low cross across the face of goal, but it just evaded both Nygren and Maeda. Martin O’Neill turned to his bench midway through the half, introducing James Forrest and Luke McCowan in place of Johnston and Tounekti, before Kelechi Iheanacho replaced Yang as Celtic looked for a way through the Hibernian rearguard. And the Nigerian striker made an immediate impact. Just moments after coming on, Iheanacho was in the right place when Tierney’s corner came all the way through to him inside the box, and he calmly side-footed the ball beyond Smith to restore Celtic’s lead. The closing stages brought tension as Hibernian pushed for another equaliser, and they had a major chance in the 89th minute when the ball fell to Ante Suto inside the area. The Croatian took aim with his left foot from 12 yards, but dragged his effort wide of Sinisalo’s goal. That proved to be the final scare for Celtic, who saw the game out to claim a crucial victory on the road. Next up for the Hoops is the Glasgow derby at Paradise, as the title race continues to gather pace towards its climax.FixturesHibernian Vs. Celtic – Sun, May 3rd 2026, 12:00
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