LAST UPDATE | 22 Feb 2025

Hibernian 2-1 Celtic

HIBERNIAN DID WHAT Bayern Munich could not as Josh Campbell’s first-half double earned David Gray’s in-form side a stirring 2-1 home win over Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic.

The Hoops were widely lauded for their display in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw in the Allianz Arena as they exited the Champions League after conceding in stoppage time to the German giants.

But Brendan Rodgers’ team were brought back to earth as they suffered only a second domestic defeat of the season at the hands of a Hibs side now unbeaten in 13 matches and tightening their grip on a top-six spot after a dire start to the season.

Campbell did the damage with goals at the start and end of the first half before the hosts had to withstand a second-half onslaught in which Daizen Maeda pulled one back and then had a late effort ruled out.

Ireland striker Adam Idah returned to the Celtic starting XI, but the visitors found themselves trailing inside two minutes.

Hoops defender Auston Trusty was drawn into the opposition half for a duel with Bowie and as the hosts worked the ball into the middle, Nectar Triantis drove forward and slipped the ball into the space left by the out-of-position centre-back, allowing Campbell to dart in and drill low past the exposed Kasper Schmeichel from just inside the box.

Celtic were struggling to get their game going, and Idah blew a big opportunity on the counter-attack when he took too long to pick a pass to either Kuhn or Maeda, both of whom were unmarked, allowing Bowie to dash back and snuff out the danger.

Hibs 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 in at Schmeichel’s right-hand post. The goal was eventually allowed to stand after a lengthy VAR check for offside.

The visitors got themselves back in the game in the 68th minute when Smith was slow to react after Hatate sliced his shot from the edge of the area up in the air and as it dropped towards the six-yard box Maeda nipped in to the prod the ball beyond the hesitant keeper.

Celtic 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.

The hosts had another huge let-off in the 83rd minute when Maeda fired home from a Johnston cutback but – following a VAR check – the ball was deemed to have run out of play before the Canadian delivered it.

Rangers 2-0 St Mirren

RANGERS FANS BOOSTED by hopes of rejuvenation under potential new ownership left Ibrox raging after a chastening 2-0 Scottish Premiership defeat by St Mirren.

Reports this week claimed the Govan club are in advanced talks about a multi-million investment from a USA-led consortium which includes Paraag Marathe, president of 49ers Enterprises, and chairman of Leeds.

That prospect excited supporters but new hope met current reality as the home fans endured a disjointed, laboured performance with second-half goals from striker Mikael Mandron and substitute Toyosi Olusanya handing the Paisley side their first win at Ibrox since November, 1991.

Just before the break, Gers striker Hamza Igamane was shown a straight red car by referee Kevin Clancy for a foul on Saints skipper Mark O’Hara only for it to be downgraded to a yellow by the official after his VAR asked him to check his monitor but that made no difference.

It was a first return to Govan for Rangers since the humiliating Scottish Cup defeat to Championship side Queen’s Park and a successive home defeat had the enraged Gers fans again lambasting manager Philippe Clement and the players.

Rangers remain 13 points behind league leaders Celtic, but the Light Blues fans have long since accepted the likelihood of a trophy-less domestic season, albeit they have a Europa League last-16 tie against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce to come in March.

- Originally published 3pm, updated 6.10pm with Rangers report