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Scottish leaders Celtic shocked by Hibernian

football22 February 2025 15:25| © AFP
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Josh Campbell © Getty Images

Celtic lost for just the second time in the Scottish Premiership this season as Josh Campbell's first half double fired Hibernian to a shock 2-1 win on Saturday.

Brendan Rodgers' side suffered a Champions League hangover after conceding in stoppage time in their agonising play-off round exit at Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

Hibernian are unbeaten in 13 matches after Campbell netted at the start and end of the first half.

The hosts had to withstand a second-half onslaught in which Japan forward Daizen Maeda pulled one back for Celtic and then had a late effort ruled out.

Celtic's second domestic loss this term is unlikely to dent their title charge as they sit 13 points clear of second-placed Rangers.

While it took Bayern until almost the last kick of the game to score against the Scottish champions, Hibs required less than two minutes.

Nectar Triantis drove forward and slipped the ball to Campbell, who drilled low past the exposed Kasper Schmeichel from just inside the area.

Hibernian had not lost since their previous meeting with Celtic on December 7 and they threatened a second in the ninth minute when Kieron Bowie's ferocious shot was beaten away by Schmeichel.

Alistair Johnston was denied by an excellent save from Hibernian keeper Jordan Smith after running on to Nicolas Kuhn's perfectly weighted pass.

Hibernian doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time when Campbell met an inswinging cross from Martin Boyle eight yards out and sent a downward header past Schmeichel.

Celtic got themselves back in the game in the 68th minute when Smith was slow to react after Reo Hatate sliced his shot from the edge of the area up in the air and, as it dropped towards the six-yard box, Maeda poked past the red-faced keeper.

The Hoops cranked up the pressure in search of an equaliser and Rocky Bushiri had to make a goal-line block from Jota after he danced round Smith in the 76th minute.

But Celtic were denied in the 83rd minute when Maeda fired home from a Johnston cutback, only for VAR to rule the ball had run out of play before the Canadian delivered it.

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