CELTIC 3 HIBS 1
CHAMPIONS Celtic eased a remarkable TWENTY points clear at the Premiership pinnacle in another season of celebration.
With just two league games to play and the fourth successive title sealed a fortnight ago, the Hoops remained focused in the impressive victory over Hibs with goals from Nicolas Kuhn, Adam Idah and Reo Hatate at Parkhead this afternoon.
The Hoops, sportingly afforded a guard of honour before the kick-off from their opponents, dominated the opening stages in the sunshine in the east end of Glasgow.
The first chance fell to Idah in the ninth minute when Reo Hatate sent the Republic of Ireland international striker racing clear into the penalty area.
Unfortunately, the frontman lost his composure at the crucial moment of impact and walloped his effort off the outrushing Jordan Smith.
Four minutes later, Idah was given another opening after a defence-raking pass from Greg Taylor, but again he fluffed the opportunity with a tame effort that was easily held by the grateful Hibs keeper.
HOOP HOOP HOORAY…Adam Idah yells in delight.
It was turning into an afternoon of missed opportunities for the Irishman when he failed to make contact with a low left-wing cross from Daizen Maeda shortly afterwards.
On the 18th minute, returning keeper Kasper Schmeichel rescued the champions after Martin Boyle had a clear shot at goal after the got the break of the ball.
The raider thumped in a powerful 10-yard drive, but the keeper spread himself to block the effort as his team-mates breathed a sigh of relief.
However, there was no reprieve in the 25th minute when Boyle was allowed another free drive from close range and this time the Easter Road captain drilled the ball past the exposed Dane.
Auston Trusty mis-kicked a Josh Campbell effort straight to the Aussie international frontman and he didn’t hesitate to whip a low drive past Schmeichel at his left.
The Hoops responded by taking control of the game once more, but Idah’s misery continued when he failed to connect with a superb ball from the left by Maeda in the 36th minute.
Five minutes later, the champions deservedly levelled after some quick thinking from Kuhn, but a lot of the credit must go to Anthony Ralston with the peach of a pass into the box from wide on the right.
Idah and Rocky Bulshiri challenged for the ball and it broke to the German who took a clever touch to race round Smith before stroking the ball home.
YIPPEE…Nicolas Kuhn hit his 21st goal of the season with the second against Hibs.
Referee Colin Steven awarded the goal, but it was reviewed for over a minute by VAR before it was rubberstamped.
Idah, at last, got his angles right in the 45th minute after being set up by Kuhn who danced past challenges before releasing the pass that led to the second goal.
The powerhouse frontman maintained his calm and poise before sliding an angled right-foot wide of the stranded Smith.
It seemed only a matter of time before the £9.5million man got a goal as a reward for his strong running.
In the 58th minute, Hatate thumped in No.3 as the Hoops swept forward in relentless fashion. Maeda was involved with a danger left-wing cross from the byline that was pushed away by the frantic Smith as Idah came racing in.
Kuhn recovered the clearance, knocked the ball inside to Callum McGregor who picked out Arne Engels in the box.
The Belgian elegantly stroked the ball in front of Hatate who swept an unstoppable first-timed right-foot shot wide of the keeper low to his left.
THREE CHEERS…celebrating Reo Hatate struck No. 3 against Hibs.
In the 72nd minute, Brendan Rodgers made his first changes as he took off skipper McGregor and Kuhn and sent on Paulo Bernardo and James Forrest.
Eight minutes later, Luke McCowan and Johnny Kenny joined the action as they replaced Hatate and Idah.
Seventeen-year-old Sean McArdle made his first-team debut as he came on for Engels in the 85th minute.
It was a day to remember for the youngster – and everyone else on a day the sun continued to shine on Paradise.
TEAM: Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Taylor; Engels (sub: McArdle 85), McGregor (sub: Bernardo 72), Hatate (sub: McCowan 80); Kuhn (sub: Forrest 72), Idah (sub: Kenny 80), Maeda.
