Hibernian boss David Gray has paid tribute to Celtic following his side’s 2-0 defeat at Celtic Park this afternoon, which ended their remarkable 15-game unbeaten run across all competitions.
Despite the loss, Gray acknowledged Celtic’s superiority, and his post-match comments reflected both his respect for the Hoops and Brendan Rodgers.
Celtic’s Deserved Victory
In the aftermath of the match, Gray was quick to give credit to Celtic, he said: (Premier Sports), “I think it’s obviously not a feeling we’ve been used to for a very long time. It’s never a nice feeling. We’ll never accept losing games of football. But I think, on the whole, Celtic deserved to win the game.” The Hoops were dominant throughout, with Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah both scoring to seal the win and book Celtic’s place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals.
Gray reflected on his team’s performance, noting, “Even the way we defended at times and started the game, Celtic came out flying as we thought they would.” Despite the early pressure, Hibs remained competitive and did their best to stay in the match, but the quality of Celtic’s attack proved too much for them to handle.
A Frustrating First Half
The first half saw Celtic take control, with Maeda’s goal just before the break proving to be a key moment in the game. Gray acknowledged the disappointment of conceding so late in the half, saying, “We lose a goal just before half-time, which is always disappointing.” That goal set the tone for the rest of the match, but Gray’s side showed resilience, managing to hold their ground in the second half without truly threatening Celtic’s goal.
Hibs’ Effort Was There
Despite not creating many clear-cut chances, Gray praised his team’s effort, stating, “We stayed in the game right to the very end without really hurting Celtic. That was the one thing I would say on reflection. We had a bit of a go towards the end, but it just broke down too many times.”
In the end, Gray had no complaints about the result, admitting, “So I’ve got no complaints on us getting knocked out, the performance and effort was always there.” It was clear from his words that while he was disappointed with the outcome, he recognised the quality of Celtic’s play and the challenge his team faced.
Looking Ahead
While Hibs’ unbeaten run has come to an end, Gray will surely take confidence from his team’s effort and their ability to stay competitive against the top team in the country. For Celtic, the victory sees them march on to the semi-finals, with both Maeda and Idah’s goals ensuring they remain firmly in the hunt for a domestic treble this season. With Rangers in the Scottish Premiership at Celtic Park next Sunday, the Hoops got the perfect preparation for Barry’s buzzing Blues.
