Hibs suffered their second defeat of the season as they lost 3-0 on the road to Celtic.
Two first half goals for the home team at Celtic Park had Jack Ross’ side trying to scale a steep hill. Callum McGregor scored after seven minutes before Albian Ajeti doubled the lead 35 minutes in, although he injured himself when putting Celtic further ahead.
It finished 3-0 as Mohammed Elyounoussi added a third 10 minutes from time. Hibs still sit third, although Aberdeen are breathing down their neck. The Dons sit just two points behind them with a two-game advantage on the Hibees.
Ross’ men were full of confidence heading into this. They had won five of their opening eight games this season, a 2-2 draw with Rangers at Easter Road last weekend showing Hibs can compete with the Premiership’s best.
But this was going to be their toughest test yet. The Easter Road side had gone for a very attacking lineup in Glasgow, Kevin Nisbet, Christian Doidge, Joe Newell, Drey Wright and Martin Boyle all starting.
After seven minutes their task got much harder. McGregor picked the ball up from range and blasted past Ofir Marciano, a setback for Ross but his team were far from out this.
Boyle missed a chance inside the box and then Nisbet had a great chance after the 20th minute, cutting inside with Shane Duffy beat, only managing to put his decent shot wide of the target. The first half was like a game of basketball as it cannoned from side to side.
35 minutes on the clock and Celtic were in cruise control. Elyounoussi forced a save from Marciano, Ajeti following up to double the home team’s advantage. But it was a bittersweet goal, the forward heading down the tunnel as a consequence of his effort on goal.
Whilst the first half had an intense tempo, the second 45 was slow. Celtic were much more dominant in possession and limited Hibs’ opportunities, Marciano tested by Scott Brown, David Turnbull and Nir Biton inside the first 10 minutes.
Hibs were limited to half-chances in the second half as Celtic looked likely to stroll over the finishing line. They were still probing for a third but Marciano was doing his best to prevent that, McGregor stopped from getting a second by the Israeli’s big hand.
Eventually that third goal was to come, Turnbull playing a lovely pass into his Norwegian teammate’s feet, Elyounoussi making no mistake with the finish. Just as Hibs were creeping into the game, Celtic killed it off, as the Hibees suffered their second defeat of the season.