Soccer

Mikey Johnston returns to Celtic line-up as they are held by Hibernian

Ireland international winger denied by Hibs goalkeeper David Marshall in first game for club since March 2022

Celtic's Mikey Johnston in action against Hibernian's Lewis Miller during the Scottish Premiership match at Easter Road. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
Celtic's Mikey Johnston in action against Hibernian's Lewis Miller during the Scottish Premiership match at Easter Road. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
Sat Oct 28 2023 - 17:32
Hibernian 0 Celtic 0

Celtic were held to a goalless draw at Easter Road as Hibernian survived some sustained late pressure.

There had been few clearcut chances heading into the final quarter although David Marshall saved brilliantly from Celtic attacker Daizen Maeda and Martin Boyle missed a glorious opportunity for Hibs.

Celtic sparked into life after making a series of attacking substitutions. Ireland international Mikey Johnston forced another impressive stop from Marshall and James Forrest hit the bar but Hibs held on.

The result puts Celtic eight points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership but Rangers can cut the gap when they host Hearts on Sunday.

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Brendan Rodgers had started with the same team that played the majority of the Champions League draw with Atletico Madrid as Paulo Bernardo made his first start for the club following his early introduction for the injured Reo Hatate on Wednesday.

Hibs started with Boyle up front alongside Dylan Vente, with Jair Tavares making only his fourth start for the club on the right wing. Rocky Bushiri replaced Paul Hanlon in central defence following the previous weekend’s 4-0 defeat by Rangers.

Celtic dominated possession early on but it was sloppy passing from Hibs that led to their first two half-chances. Bernardo shot just wide from 22 yards before Marshall denied Callum McGregor and Luis Palma hit the rebound wide.

[ Scottish Premiership table ]

Anthony Ralston replaced Alistair Johnston after the Celtic right back took a Bushiri clearance flush in the face.

Ralston and fellow full back Greg Taylor were taking up positions in the middle of the park but Celtic were struggling to break Hibs down.

The only time they got in behind in the first half saw Taylor’s low cross reach Bernardo, who could not get ball out of his feet but forced it away from Marshall only for the goalkeeper to recover brilliantly to block from Maeda.

Hibernian’s only moments of note in the first half saw Elie Youan shoot straight at Joe Hart after starting a counterattack himself and Vente fire over following a set-piece.

Hibernian’s best chance came just after the interval when Jordan Obita curled in a perfect cross for Boyle, but the forward could not keep his volley down from six yards.

Rodgers brought on four attacking substitutions before the midway point of the second half as Johnston made his first appearance for the club since March 2022, after spending last season on loan with Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal.

The subs made their mark as Celtic began to pin their hosts back. Oh Hyeon-gyu had a difficult header saved before Marshall threw himself to his right to parry Johnston’s long-range strike.

Good play from Johnston saw David Turnbull try to set up Oh but his low cross was turned behind before James Forrest volleyed against the bar from the resulting corner.

The final chance saw Forrest turn Turnbull’s low cross past the near post in stoppage time.