Celtic Falter Again as Hibernian's Josh Campbell Leads Charge in Scottish Premiership
Josh Campbell's Stellar Performance Dampens Celtic's Spirits
On a chilly evening at Easter Road, Hibernian demonstrated why they’ve become a force to be reckoned with in the Scottish Premiership. Facing a Celtic team that had recently been knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich, Hibs seized the opportunity to exploit their opponents’ faltering morale. Right from the start, Josh Campbell made his intentions clear, taking advantage of a Celtic defensive error to slot the ball neatly past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel just two minutes into the match. It was a moment that signaled a long night ahead for Brendan Rodgers and his men.
Throughout the first half, Celtic struggled to regain control, frequently thwarted by Hibs' solid defense and the vigilant reflexes of goalkeeper Jordan Smith. Celtic's Kieron Bowie and Campbell each came close, but Smith's saves ensured Hibs held onto their lead. Campbell wasn't done yet, however. Just before the halftime whistle, he connected with a precise cross from Martin Boyle to head in a second goal. Even video assistant referee (VAR) checks couldn't deny him, as the goal stood, sending Hibs into the break with a comfortable two-goal cushion.
Celtic's Battle with VAR and Hibernian's Rising Fortunes
During halftime, Rodgers decided it was time for change, introducing three new faces—Youri Tielemans, Yuki Kobayashi, and Jota—in pursuit of a comeback. The changes injected some much-needed energy into the squad, and soon enough, Ritsu Doan set up Daizen Maeda, whose deflected shot pulled one back for Celtic in the 68th minute. This goal provided a glimmer of hope as Celtic intensified their efforts to level the score.
As the match neared its conclusion, the drama peaked in the 83rd minute. Celtic thought they had equalized when Maeda found the back of the net, but jubilation was short-lived. VAR intervened to rule out the goal, citing that the ball had crossed the byline in the build-up play. This decision not only frustrated Celtic fans but also led to criticism from Rodgers, who pointed out the lack of clarity in the VAR process.
While Celtic experienced yet another disappointment, Hibernian celebrated their strategic victory and extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games. Hibs climbed to fourth place in the Premiership standings, driven by managerial insights and Campbell’s outstanding contributions on the pitch. As for Celtic, the pressure mounts despite maintaining a 13-point lead at the top, leaving them to ponder over their recent league struggles and the impact of VAR on their campaign.