Celtic 0-0 Hibernian

Celtic surrendered another two points to fall further behind in the championship race, drawing 0-0 at home against Hibernian.  It was a unorganised looking performance from the home team who gave Graham Stack little to do in the Hibernian goal.

Gary Hooper squandered Celtic’s only gilt-edged chance of the game when, after playing a one-two with Anthony Stokes, he struck the outside of the post with Ki available for the square pass.  Anthony Stokes had earlier tested Stack, who failed to hold the ball but did enough to clear.

When the same teams met on Wednesday James Forrest transformed the game when he drifted inside but he spent most of today’s game adrift on the right wing.  On two occasions he cut inside with purpose, once testing Stack with a blistering shot from 22 yards and later when a 25 yard pile-drive struck the crossbar, but Hibs were content to limit Celtic to such speculative efforts.

Neil Lennon was justified in his criticism of his front pairing of Stokes and Hooper today but Celtic were equally clueless in midfield.  There appeared to be no cohesion and there was certainly not a productive match plan.

Motherwell’s away win in Inverness gives the Lanarkshire side a three point lead, having played a game more, going into next week’s crucial game against Celtic at Fir Park.  Manager-less St Johnstone dropped three points at home this afternoon, leaving them four points behind Celtic in the fight for the last Europa League place.

This is where we are people, scrapping between Motherwell and St Johnstone. Get used to it.