Jonnyboy
21-11-2020, 05:50 PM
The stats for this game will show that Celtic pretty much dominated possession throughout and yet it took a late, late goal to salvage a point against a Hibs side that often made life difficult for itself.
There were starting eleven places for Sean Mackie, his first in the league for many months and Stevie Mallan. The absence of Doidge due to injury saw Hibs lining up in a 4-5-1 formation although Martin Boyle was always on hand to join Nisbet when Hibs were attacking. Unfortunately, Hibs didn’t do much by way of attacking in the first half but to their credit they kept their, out of possession shape, well.
Celtic started strongly and around the five minute mark, Marciano saved well from a Ryan Christie effort. It was a sign of things to come and the start of a busy afternoon for the Hibs keeper. The visitors were being helped in their possession stats by the fact that Hibs kept giving them the ball back. Elyounoussi was next to threaten but his left footed effort from the edge of the box soared over the bar.
A wonderful through ball from Joe Newell set Martin Boyle free but just as the Hibs man pulled the trigger, Ajer got across to put in a fine block. Murphy was next to try his luck, but his effort didn’t trouble Bain in the Celtic goal.
The visitors had Hibs hemmed in, but the home defence held firm and when Hibs made a rare attack the ball was cleared to Frimpong who looked set to scurry away down the right until Mallan stopped his progress, earning a yellow card in the process. Rocky was soon in action again and did well to deny Laxalt before Elyounoussi really should have done better when he escaped Gocic at a corner kick, but his headed effort flew well wide.
At the other end, a Murphy cross eluded Laxalt but Boyle couldn’t get enough on his header to trouble Bain and then Christie was denied by a fine block by Hanlon. Next came two quickfire attempts by the visitors with the first by Elyounoussi easily blocked and then a curler from Christie bringing out a fine save from Marciano. On a rare visit to the Celtic end, Joe Newell tried to steer an effort inside Bain’s right hand post, but the ball swerved to the outside.
With Celtic dominating the ball and Hibs keeping their shape to deny them any openings I confess I was willing the half time whistle to come as I wanted Jack Ross to have the opportunity to spur his men into being more assertive in possession. I’ve no idea what JR said to his charges at the break, but Hibs looked far more positive in the opening stages of the second half.
Some five minutes into the half, Nir Bitton committed a silly foul in challenging Nisbet for a high ball. The resultant free kick was delivered into the penalty area and it looked like Hanlon might have got a touch as the ball reached Martin Boyle, who was facing away from goal and offering no threat at all. Inexplicably, Scott Brown barged him to the ground and Bobby Madden pointed to the spot. It was a stupid challenge but a correct decision. After missing his last penalty, Kevin Nisbet stepped up, but his shot was saved by Bain down to his right. The ball ran free and Jamie Murphy was first to react, striking the ball past Bain and into the net off the far post.
Around six minutes later, another daft challenge from a Celtic player resulted in a free kick to Hibs. From just inside his own half, Ryan Porteous launched the ball diagonally towards Murphy who beat Nir Bitton in the jump and glanced the ball into the path of Kevin Nisbet who struck a magnificent left footed first time effort across Bain and in off the same post that the Murphy first goal struck.
I was in heaven by this time as there’s no way I could ever have seen that coming – leading Celtic 2-0 when we’d allowed them to dominate possession. The good news was that we had a two goal lead whilst the bad news was that there was still half an hour to go and history shows us that Celtic are like a wounded animal when behind.
As expected, Neil Lennon made changes and his side were pushing hard to get back into the game, but it was Hibs that almost scored next when Nisbet’s effort struck a defender and looped over the bar. Next, Porteous reached a headed chance first but his effort skimmed the top of the bar on the way over.
Neil Lennon had replaced the ineffective Ajeti with Edouard and the newcomer soon had Marciano making another fine save. Lennon brought on Griffiths and Duffy, replacing Brown and Elyounoussi and changed the shape of his side in an effort to get back amongst the goals and it was Griffiths who combined well with Edouard who once again brought out a fine save from Marciano.
With ten minutes left, a sclaffed clearance from Porteous shot up into the air and when it dropped both Porteous and McGinn seemed to get in each other’s way to clear it and unfortunately for McGinn the ball seemed to bounce up and hit his arm. By the letter of the law it was a penalty which Bobby Madden didn’t hesitate to award – Paul Hanlon booked for his too aggressive protests. Up stepped Edouard and from twelve yards he beat Marciano, who dived the right way but was beaten by the pace of the ball.
In an attempt to try and maintain their lead, Jack Ross replaced Murphy with David Gray and then Hallberg for Mallan. To be honest, the players were now in panic mode and any attempted clearance just came straight back into the mix.
I honestly thought we were going to hold out but a panicked clearance from Paul Hanlon landed right at the feet of Laxalt and the Celtic man gleefully thrashed the ball home from ten yards. It was gut wrenching but to their credit Hibs did try to get back in front and inside the last minute, Mackie fired the ball over the bar with Bain nowhere to be seen.
My mood over the piece was interesting. The first 45 minutes had me raging as we were far too docile. The second 45 minutes had me on a high until that equaliser went in. Interestingly, I saw a clip of Jack Ross just after Laxalt scored and he looked like he was raging as he shook his head in disbelief.
I listened to John Collins’ view of the game and like him I think that whoever made that ruling on what constitutes a penalty must never have played the game. I accept a pen when the hand ball is intentional but can’t get my head around giving one in the circumstances of today’s.
The players
Marciano – Although Rocky was beaten twice, once from the spot and the other from point blank range I thought he gave a really good account of himself. For all of the saves and a better command of his box at corners etc., he gets my man of the match award.
McGinn (P) – Like his fellow defenders he played his part in largely neutralising the threat from Celtic and I felt he was really unlucky that the ball struck his arm at the penalty incident.
Porteous – For the most part I thought Ryan was excellent. His sclaff at the penalty incident was unfortunate whilst on the plus side his long diagonal free kick to Murphy for our second goal had a mark of quality about it.
Hanlon – I am gutted for Paul as I thought he’d had an excellent game. I’ve looked at his duff clearance a couple of times and I think the ball might have struck his standing left foot just as he was swinging his right to clear it.
Mackie – Sean should rightly feel good about his performance. He handled the threat of Frimpong, something we’ve struggled with in the recent past, and I can’t recall the Celtic man ever getting past him to hit the byeline.
Boyle – I didn’t see a lot from Boyler in the first half but felt he was good in the second. Worked his socks off, especially late on, in sprinting across the park to try and stop Celtic players from playing the ball forward.
Mallan – What little we did create in the first half came from either Mallan or Newell. Stevie demonstrated that he can indeed track back and can indeed tackle and can indeed play a cracking pass – all things I keep reading on here that he can’t do.
Gogic – At half time I was thinking to myself that Gogic had not had a particularly good game but on reflection I realised he had largely stifled the play of the likes of McGregor and Ajeti. Had a better second half, generally speaking.
Newell – Joe played two fantastic through balls in the first half, when we were under the cosh, and only good defending stopped Boyle and then Nisbet from capitalising.
Murphy – Jamie took his goal very well and I thought he mostly looked good in possession. Credit is also due for the help he afforded to Mackie by doubling up when Celtic came down their right.
Nisbet – Kevin got absolutely no service in the first half and as a result he rarely featured but he was far better in the second and struck his goal beautifully. I’m not sure he’ll still be on penalties though.
Gray – SDG defended well enough, coping quite well with the threat down our right hand side. As an aside I found it interesting that his introduction meant we had only two of our Scottish Cup winning side on the park.
Hallberg – I’m fairly sure Jack Ross will have told him to go on and help stem the tide and he didn’t quite manage that unfortunately. I confess I wondered where he was when Laxalt was given the freedom of the ER penalty area for the equaliser.
McGinn (S) - Only got the last few minutes.
Jack Ross – I was disappointed Hibs TV didn’t stay on air long enough to hear his interview. I suspect disappointment will be the order of the day for him, having watched his charges lose such a late goal.
Bobby Madden – As is usually the case with him I felt he tried to let the game flow, rather than whistling every few seconds as some of his compatriots are inclined to do.
On now to Tuesday night when we face St Johnstone in the league.
There were starting eleven places for Sean Mackie, his first in the league for many months and Stevie Mallan. The absence of Doidge due to injury saw Hibs lining up in a 4-5-1 formation although Martin Boyle was always on hand to join Nisbet when Hibs were attacking. Unfortunately, Hibs didn’t do much by way of attacking in the first half but to their credit they kept their, out of possession shape, well.
Celtic started strongly and around the five minute mark, Marciano saved well from a Ryan Christie effort. It was a sign of things to come and the start of a busy afternoon for the Hibs keeper. The visitors were being helped in their possession stats by the fact that Hibs kept giving them the ball back. Elyounoussi was next to threaten but his left footed effort from the edge of the box soared over the bar.
A wonderful through ball from Joe Newell set Martin Boyle free but just as the Hibs man pulled the trigger, Ajer got across to put in a fine block. Murphy was next to try his luck, but his effort didn’t trouble Bain in the Celtic goal.
The visitors had Hibs hemmed in, but the home defence held firm and when Hibs made a rare attack the ball was cleared to Frimpong who looked set to scurry away down the right until Mallan stopped his progress, earning a yellow card in the process. Rocky was soon in action again and did well to deny Laxalt before Elyounoussi really should have done better when he escaped Gocic at a corner kick, but his headed effort flew well wide.
At the other end, a Murphy cross eluded Laxalt but Boyle couldn’t get enough on his header to trouble Bain and then Christie was denied by a fine block by Hanlon. Next came two quickfire attempts by the visitors with the first by Elyounoussi easily blocked and then a curler from Christie bringing out a fine save from Marciano. On a rare visit to the Celtic end, Joe Newell tried to steer an effort inside Bain’s right hand post, but the ball swerved to the outside.
With Celtic dominating the ball and Hibs keeping their shape to deny them any openings I confess I was willing the half time whistle to come as I wanted Jack Ross to have the opportunity to spur his men into being more assertive in possession. I’ve no idea what JR said to his charges at the break, but Hibs looked far more positive in the opening stages of the second half.
Some five minutes into the half, Nir Bitton committed a silly foul in challenging Nisbet for a high ball. The resultant free kick was delivered into the penalty area and it looked like Hanlon might have got a touch as the ball reached Martin Boyle, who was facing away from goal and offering no threat at all. Inexplicably, Scott Brown barged him to the ground and Bobby Madden pointed to the spot. It was a stupid challenge but a correct decision. After missing his last penalty, Kevin Nisbet stepped up, but his shot was saved by Bain down to his right. The ball ran free and Jamie Murphy was first to react, striking the ball past Bain and into the net off the far post.
Around six minutes later, another daft challenge from a Celtic player resulted in a free kick to Hibs. From just inside his own half, Ryan Porteous launched the ball diagonally towards Murphy who beat Nir Bitton in the jump and glanced the ball into the path of Kevin Nisbet who struck a magnificent left footed first time effort across Bain and in off the same post that the Murphy first goal struck.
I was in heaven by this time as there’s no way I could ever have seen that coming – leading Celtic 2-0 when we’d allowed them to dominate possession. The good news was that we had a two goal lead whilst the bad news was that there was still half an hour to go and history shows us that Celtic are like a wounded animal when behind.
As expected, Neil Lennon made changes and his side were pushing hard to get back into the game, but it was Hibs that almost scored next when Nisbet’s effort struck a defender and looped over the bar. Next, Porteous reached a headed chance first but his effort skimmed the top of the bar on the way over.
Neil Lennon had replaced the ineffective Ajeti with Edouard and the newcomer soon had Marciano making another fine save. Lennon brought on Griffiths and Duffy, replacing Brown and Elyounoussi and changed the shape of his side in an effort to get back amongst the goals and it was Griffiths who combined well with Edouard who once again brought out a fine save from Marciano.
With ten minutes left, a sclaffed clearance from Porteous shot up into the air and when it dropped both Porteous and McGinn seemed to get in each other’s way to clear it and unfortunately for McGinn the ball seemed to bounce up and hit his arm. By the letter of the law it was a penalty which Bobby Madden didn’t hesitate to award – Paul Hanlon booked for his too aggressive protests. Up stepped Edouard and from twelve yards he beat Marciano, who dived the right way but was beaten by the pace of the ball.
In an attempt to try and maintain their lead, Jack Ross replaced Murphy with David Gray and then Hallberg for Mallan. To be honest, the players were now in panic mode and any attempted clearance just came straight back into the mix.
I honestly thought we were going to hold out but a panicked clearance from Paul Hanlon landed right at the feet of Laxalt and the Celtic man gleefully thrashed the ball home from ten yards. It was gut wrenching but to their credit Hibs did try to get back in front and inside the last minute, Mackie fired the ball over the bar with Bain nowhere to be seen.
My mood over the piece was interesting. The first 45 minutes had me raging as we were far too docile. The second 45 minutes had me on a high until that equaliser went in. Interestingly, I saw a clip of Jack Ross just after Laxalt scored and he looked like he was raging as he shook his head in disbelief.
I listened to John Collins’ view of the game and like him I think that whoever made that ruling on what constitutes a penalty must never have played the game. I accept a pen when the hand ball is intentional but can’t get my head around giving one in the circumstances of today’s.
The players
Marciano – Although Rocky was beaten twice, once from the spot and the other from point blank range I thought he gave a really good account of himself. For all of the saves and a better command of his box at corners etc., he gets my man of the match award.
McGinn (P) – Like his fellow defenders he played his part in largely neutralising the threat from Celtic and I felt he was really unlucky that the ball struck his arm at the penalty incident.
Porteous – For the most part I thought Ryan was excellent. His sclaff at the penalty incident was unfortunate whilst on the plus side his long diagonal free kick to Murphy for our second goal had a mark of quality about it.
Hanlon – I am gutted for Paul as I thought he’d had an excellent game. I’ve looked at his duff clearance a couple of times and I think the ball might have struck his standing left foot just as he was swinging his right to clear it.
Mackie – Sean should rightly feel good about his performance. He handled the threat of Frimpong, something we’ve struggled with in the recent past, and I can’t recall the Celtic man ever getting past him to hit the byeline.
Boyle – I didn’t see a lot from Boyler in the first half but felt he was good in the second. Worked his socks off, especially late on, in sprinting across the park to try and stop Celtic players from playing the ball forward.
Mallan – What little we did create in the first half came from either Mallan or Newell. Stevie demonstrated that he can indeed track back and can indeed tackle and can indeed play a cracking pass – all things I keep reading on here that he can’t do.
Gogic – At half time I was thinking to myself that Gogic had not had a particularly good game but on reflection I realised he had largely stifled the play of the likes of McGregor and Ajeti. Had a better second half, generally speaking.
Newell – Joe played two fantastic through balls in the first half, when we were under the cosh, and only good defending stopped Boyle and then Nisbet from capitalising.
Murphy – Jamie took his goal very well and I thought he mostly looked good in possession. Credit is also due for the help he afforded to Mackie by doubling up when Celtic came down their right.
Nisbet – Kevin got absolutely no service in the first half and as a result he rarely featured but he was far better in the second and struck his goal beautifully. I’m not sure he’ll still be on penalties though.
Gray – SDG defended well enough, coping quite well with the threat down our right hand side. As an aside I found it interesting that his introduction meant we had only two of our Scottish Cup winning side on the park.
Hallberg – I’m fairly sure Jack Ross will have told him to go on and help stem the tide and he didn’t quite manage that unfortunately. I confess I wondered where he was when Laxalt was given the freedom of the ER penalty area for the equaliser.
McGinn (S) - Only got the last few minutes.
Jack Ross – I was disappointed Hibs TV didn’t stay on air long enough to hear his interview. I suspect disappointment will be the order of the day for him, having watched his charges lose such a late goal.
Bobby Madden – As is usually the case with him I felt he tried to let the game flow, rather than whistling every few seconds as some of his compatriots are inclined to do.
On now to Tuesday night when we face St Johnstone in the league.