Hibs are out of the Scottish Cup after losing 2-0 to Celtic at the quarter-final stage.
Celtic dominated the game but the Hibees were always in it until Adam Idah put a seal on things in stoppage time after Daizen Maeda’s earlier opener.
The visitors were keeping their heads above water pretty well, not allowing themselves to be cut open and throwing bodies in front of shots in and around their own penalty area. They weren’t too much of a threat at the other end though, save for Kieron Bowie being denied by Kasper Schmeichel after getting in behind the home defence.
Then came a massive blow when their standout of this season, Nicky Cadden, pulled up with what looks like it could be a bad hamstring injury.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, they fell 1-0 down just four minutes later. Jordan Smith saved Nicolas Kuhn’s initial effort but Daizen Maeda was following it in.
The Hibees continued to do well to stay in the game while not creating a massive amount in front of goal.
Their hopes were extinguished by Adam Idah in stoppage time as the Easter Road men suffered a first defeat in 16 games.
Nicky Cadden Hibs injury blow
Losing Cadden was a blow for today, but also for upcoming games if his injury keeps him out for a while.
The left sider, operating at wing-back, has been Hibs’ most creative player this season and they could really have done with him a game where chances were always going to be at a premium.
That was underlined when they fell behind just minutes after he was replaced by Jordan Obita.
It looked like the 28-year-old may have been signalling to David Gray it was a serious one and that could even mean he misses the rest of the season. A huge blow in their bid to stay in third.
Hibs showed a grit but not enough threat
Last time they came to Celtic Park, Hibs created a glut of chances but didn’t take them and lost 3-0, too easy to score against themselves.
It was almost the entire opposite today as they showed more of a grit out of possession to ensure the home side didn’t get it all their way.
But, aside from a really good chance for Kieron Bowie in the first half, they didn’t create all that much this time.
Jordan Smith keeps up form
After coming in as number two with not a lot expected of him, Jordan Smith has really endeared himself to the Hibs support with his performances since taking over from Josef Bursik in goals.
He was in top form again today.
The save from Kuhn before Maeda got the rebound was fantastic, and the keeper could do nothing do stop the Japanese forward.
Moments after that there was another terrific stop from a fierce, fierce Reo Hatate strike.
Earlier, Smith did really well to stop Callum McGregor scoring an opener in the first few minutes