Celtic Park was alive with energy as the Hoops extended their unbeaten streak at home with a commanding 3-0 win over Hibernian.

From a first half full of near-misses to a second-half surge that saw Celtic’s relentless attacking play rewarded, the champions once again proved why they’re the team to beat in Scottish football.

First Half: Celtic on Top Despite Hibs’ Early Threats

It was an intriguing first 45 minutes at Paradise, as Celtic dominated possession but were nearly undone by Hibs’ wastefulness. The visitors started brightly, surprising many by taking the game to the hosts. However, Kasper Schmeichel, was in inspired form, making crucial saves to deny Hibs an early lead.

One standout moment came when Hibs’ Mykola Kuharevich was played through on goal, but Schmeichel showed his class by expertly blocking the one-on-one chance. It was a miss Hibs would come to regret.

Celtic, as they so often do, punished the visitors quickly. A slick move down the right saw Nicolas Kühn link up with Alistair Johnston, who delivered a perfectly timed ball into the box. Arne Engels, making his return to the starting 11, was there to tap it home and give Celtic the lead.

But the Hoops couldn’t shake the feeling that they could have been further ahead. Adam Idah, presented with a golden opportunity to double Celtic’s advantage, missed an open goal from just three yards out. A lovely delivery from Kühn across the box set Idah up, but the striker’s backheel effort went embarrassingly wide. The home support was left in disbelief.

Despite the missed chances, Celtic remained firmly in control. Callum McGregor was pulling the strings in midfield, while Alistair Johnston and Greg Taylor pushed forward with intent. Hibs were left kicking themselves, especially after Joe Newell blasted yet another golden opportunity over the bar. The visitors’ wastefulness meant they were fortunate to be just a goal down at the break.

Second Half: Celtic Turn the Screw

Celtic came out with renewed purpose in the second half. Brendan Rodgers made a tactical switch at the break, bringing on James Forrest for Nicolas Kühn. The change injected extra creativity, as Celtic immediately regained control, pinning Hibs deep into their half.

A string of corners and close chances led to the breakthrough in the 54th minute. Adam Idah’s header from a Luke McCowan delivery came off Hibs captain Joe Newell and into the net for an own goal, doubling Celtic’s lead. The goal was a direct result of Celtic’s sustained pressure.

The Hoops continued to threaten, with several chances following the goal. Alistair Johnston was put through on goal but opted to shoot rather than square the ball to a waiting Idah, missing the opportunity to seal the game.

Schmeichel’s Heroics and Hibs’ Missed Opportunities

Though Celtic were in control, Hibs refused to go quietly. Schmeichel had to remain alert, especially as Hibs’ Élie Youan and Nicky Cadden tested him with well-struck shots in the 62nd minute. The veteran keeper was more than up to the task, pulling off some world-class saves to keep the clean sheet intact.

Meanwhile, Hibs squandered further opportunities. Rocky Bushiri and Lewis Miller both had chances, but Schmeichel’s sharp reflexes ensured the score line remained 2-0. On another day, Hibs might have pulled one back, but Celtic’s defensive solidity and Schmeichel’s calm presence meant there would be no comeback.

Kyogo Seals the Win with a Stunning Strike

As the match approached its closing stages, Celtic added a third, and what a goal it was. In the 84th minute, James Forrest played a perfectly-weighted through ball to Kyogo Furuhashi, who controlled it with ease before dinking it over Hibs’ keeper Jordan Smith. It was a finish of the highest quality from the Japanese forward, his eighth goal of the campaign. The game was well and truly over, and the Hoops’ superiority had been firmly confirmed.

Celtic’s Depth and Fresh Legs

With just over 20 minutes left, Rodgers made additional changes, bringing on Kyogo Furuhashi and Yang Hyun-Jun for Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda. The fresh legs kept Celtic’s intensity high, with Yang coming close to scoring after a brilliant run and shot that narrowly missed the target.

Paulo Bernardo and Reo Hatate were also introduced to ensure the Hoops kept control in midfield. As Celtic’s squad depth continued to shine, Hibs had no answer to their relentless energy and attacking intent. The visitors threw on the pacey Martin Boyle, but he, too, was unable to find a way through the Hoops’ defence.

Full-Time Thoughts: Another Clinical Performance

When the final whistle blew, the 3-0 score line accurately reflected Celtic’s dominance, though it didn’t tell the full story of Hibs’ missed chances. The Hoops, once again, showed why they remain untouchable in Scotland, with Schmeichel’s goalkeeping heroics and their attacking class ensuring a deserved victory.

This win not only keeps Celtic top of the table but also sets them up nicely for Tuesday in the Champions League clash against Dinamo Zagreb in Zagreb. With Brendan Rodgers continuing to rotate and keep the squad fresh, it’s clear that Celtic are primed for another successful season.