HIBERNIAN STRUCK EARLY in both halves to inflict Celtic’s first league defeat in 10 games with a 2-0 victory at Easter Road and leave Kilmarnock on top of the Scottish Premiership.
Vykintas Slivka opened the scoring for the hosts after just 46 seconds and a Celtic side featuring four changes from Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to RB Salzburg in the Europa League failed to muster any response.
Florian Kamberi doubled Hibs’ advantage at the end of a flowing counter-attack just before the hour mark to secure just a second win for the Edinburgh side since they were beaten 4-2 at Celtic Park in October.
A third domestic defeat of the season for the Scottish champions means Celtic remain a point behind Kilmarnock at the top of the table, albeit still with two games in hand.
However, third-placed Rangers can go top on goal difference should Steven Gerrard’s men beat lowly Hamilton at Ibrox later on Sunday.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers bemoaned a heavy December schedule in midweek with nine games this month and the visitors badly missed the injured Dedryck Boyata, Kieran Tierney, Ryan Christie and Tom Rogic in a performance reminiscent of their early season struggles.
It was a good day for Ireland international Daryl Horgan, meanwhile, as he completed 90 minutes for the hosts.
Additional reporting by Paul Fennessy
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