Scottish Premiership: Hibernian 0 Celtic 2 (Kuhn 3, McGregor 19)
Callum McGregor reminded watching Scotland manager Steve Clarke what he will be missing with a spectacular goal in Celtic’s dominant 2-0 victory over Hibernian at Easter Road.
The 31-year-old midfielder struck into the top corner from nearly 30 yards two days after announcing his retirement from international football.
Nicolas Kuhn had given Celtic an early lead which they never looked like relinquishing as Hibs struggled to make inroads on Kasper Schmeichel’s goal until the latter stages of David Gray’s first home league match as permanent head coach.
Gray brought in Dylan Levitt and new signing Mykola Kuharevich following his team’s opening 3-0 defeat against St Mirren, while Celtic were unchanged from their 4-0 win over Kilmarnock.
The champions were ahead inside three minutes from a move which originated with a Hibs throw deep in the Celtic half. Greg Taylor’s clearance from inside his box found Kuhn, who played a quick ball over the top which left the Hibs defence exposed to Kyogo Furuhashi’s pace.
The Japan forward probably should have played Kuhn in but opted to shoot from 22 yards. However, Josef Bursik could only palm the low shot into the path of James Forrest, who squared for Kuhn to tap in.
Celtic continued to look like a side who have picked up where they left off in last season’s title run-in with the bonus of winger Kuhn showing an improved burst of pace.
Hibs contributed to their own downfall with a succession of loose passes in their own half. Josh Campbell’s wayward ball earned Furuhashi a good chance which he squandered, and more inaccurate passing put them on the back foot and allowed McGregor his moment of magic in the 19th minute.
Things threatened to get out of hand for the hosts. Centre-back Warren O’Hora volleyed Alistair Johnston’s cross off the underside of his own bar and Matt O’Riley curled just over from 20 yards.
Celtic remained in complete control and stepped up their efforts to add to their lead early in the second half. McGregor’s shot was deflected off the post and Kuhn and O’Riley both threatened before Taylor’s wonderful ball got Furuhashi in behind, but Bursik saved.
Hibs showed signs of life with balls across he face of goal from Martin Boyle and Lewis Miller and Gray brought on Kieron Bowie for a debut.
Rudi Molotnikov produced the home team’s first shot at goal around the 70-minute mark, however he was well wide after beating two men.
Furuhashi fluffed a chance to finish off a devastating counter-attack either side of going down injured with two separate problems. He shook both off but, with no experienced deputy, winger Mikey Johnston came on in the centre-forward role to give the Japanese striker a rest, and curled not far wide from 20 yards.
Bowie’s display gave Hibs fans at least one positive to take from the game and the former Fulham forward’s shot from a tight angle brushed off the bar.
Johnston himself went off in the closing stages after taking a whack in the face from Bursik as he followed up on O’Riley’s saved header, and fellow substitute Daizen Maeda finished the game as a centre-forward.
