Camilo Duran scores for Celtic against HibernianSNS

Camilo Duran's strike put Celtic in front shortly before half-time

At a glance

  • Duran strike seals Celtic win after Kerr own goal brings visitors level

  • Elding earns Hibernian lead as Celtic caught napping after two minutes

  • Celtic restore four points lead at top, Hibs remain point adrift at bottom

Highlights: Hibernian v Celtic

25/10/26

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Andy Campbell
BBC Scotland

Camilo Duran scored his 10th goal of the season as Celtic recovered from an early setback to beat Hibernian and restore their four-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Owen Elding lashed Hibs in front following a quick free-kick by Joe Newell, a late entrant to the starting line-up after illness beset Martin Boyle.

But the lead was short-lived as Jason Kerr headed an own goal from a Celtic corner two minutes later.

Thibaut Klidje could not keep his lob down after capitalising on more slackness in the visiting defence and, within moments, Duran swept in Celtic's second from a loose ball near the edge of the box.

Mika Baur tested Hibs goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger from distance as Celtic tried to put the game to bed in the second half and Cameron Carter-Vicker blocked Josh Mulligan's late shot for the hosts.

Hibs remain a point adrift at the foot of the table, having not won in the league for two months. For Martin O'Neill's defending champions, it's nine wins out of 10 in the Premiership.

Reedijk still looking for answers - Hibs analysis

Three games in, it's three defeats for new Hibs manager Marink Reedijk, with only one more match to play before next Sunday's Edinburgh derby League Cup semi-final against Hearts.

The onus is now on Wednesday's league trip to St Mirren to build some sort of momentum and confidence for Hampden.

On the plus side, Newell took full advantage of his unexpected start, not just with his quick thinking assist but his overall performance over 76 minutes after limited game time in recent weeks.

Perhaps the windy conditions played their part but what will frustrate the Hibs faithful is the ease with which they gave up their lead. The closest player to Kerr as he nodded Benjamin Nygren's delivery into his own net was team-mate Elding.

The Klidje chance proved to be the real turning point, though. Difficult as it was to convert a lofted cross-field ball, inability to do so and Duran showing a ruthlessness at the other end really dented Hibs' hopes.

Hibs did not crumble after falling behind and made the second period a contest, without really threatening Sam Johnstone's goal.

Veteran Scotland defender Grant Hanley was thrown on in the closing stages to boost Hibs' attack - to no avail.

Defence & Hogh questions remain - Celtic analysis

Celtic came into the Easter Road match having lost from a winning position against midweek Europa League visitors Celta Vigo.

The switch off at Hibs' opener was not the visitors' only defensive lapse. Distribution out from the back was particularly poor.

Alistair Johnston returned from injury as a second-half substitute but lasted 21 minutes before being withdrawn as fellow defender Carter-Vickers made his own re-introduction following a spell out.

Going forward, the intent was clear. Callum McGregor's deflected strike touched wide forced the series of corners from which Celtic equalised.

Callum Osmand set up Kasper Hogh for a chance at close range but the striker could not make a telling connection. He did connect moments later after Duran mis-hit another Osmand pass but Raphael Sallinger stood up well. Withdrawal just after the hour meant it was a 12th game in a row without a goal for Celtic's record signing Hogh.

Dundee United travel to Celtic Park in midweek, with the hosts knowing any win will strengthen their position over third-placed Hearts and/or second-placed Rangers, with the latter two sides meeting in Edinburgh.

What they said

'Hibs can build something' - Reedijk

Hibernian manager Marink Reedijk: "What I saw is a team who kept on fighting and made it very difficult for Celtic. Celtic were very clinical.

"I wanted to change something in order to get a little bit of chaos. Eventually, I think it worked. Granty did a fantastic job, all credit to Granty. He was a handful for the two defenders and they didn't know how to cope with him and we created two good chances out of this. All credit to Joe Newell, who all of a sudden needed to start and he did a good job."

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill: "Absolutely delighted with it. Considering the circumstances, considering the conditions today and considering what has happened on Thursday, I thought this was our best win of the season and we didn't play particularly well in the game.

"Thankfully, we did score so quickly afterwards [the Hibs goal] and we got the winning goal. It's a difficult afternoon even in good conditions for me. I always find Easter Road really difficult."

'Celtic's best win of the season' - O'Neill

Player of the match

C. Durán
6.86
7 O. Elding
5.74
11 J. Newell
5.39
1 R. Sallinger
5.38
25 F. Passlack
5.24
3 A. Mayor
5.13
5 M. Ivezić
5.09
17 J. McGrath
5.05
14 M. Chaiwa
4.96
18 T. Klidje
4.61
8 J. Mulligan
4.52
4 G. Hanley
4.47
6 J. Kerr
4.16
47 A. Abdulai
3.97
22 A. Šuto
3.70
39 R. Matondo
3.61
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