SPL Saturday September 20th

Hibernian 1

Celtic 2

1:0 Doumbe 38
1:1 Thompson 40 pen
1:2 Larsson 51

Att: 12,032

MIB: Alan Freeland

Celtic:
Hedman
McNamara Balde Varga
Agathe Sutton Lennon Petrov Thompson
Maloney Larsson
subs
Miller for Maloney 76

From the highs of a night in Europe, to the low of a visit to Edinburgh. Slumming it in Auld Reekie, Celtic were given a rough ride by the Hibees and were lucky to emerge with the three points.

Poor defending by the Sieve allowed Doumbe to put the Hibees one up. Unable to contain themselves they kept the party going in their own box and played musical bumps with Stilian. Incredibly, Celtic were given a penalty. Thommo netted for Celtic to keep it level in the first half.

I say this was incredible, as the MIBs were in fine form all afternoon, between the referee's bizarre interpretation of the rules and the linesmen flagging up some amazing offside decisions. With eyes seeing the match as if it had been painted by Picasso during his cubist period, it was a miracle that we were given anything.

The second period was not much better, though OFM seemed to have given the players a shake at half time. Varga and Maloney managed to combine well to set up Henke for a winner, before Bobo was sent for an early bath. Balde stupidly kicked out in retaliation following a niggly challenge. It was spotted and he had to walk, depriving the team of its most gifted defender before a visit to the Death Star.

Celtic then were forced to put the wagons into a circle and defend for the three points. Things will have to tighten up before Lyon visit on Tuesday.