Hibernian did what Bayern Munich could not as Josh Campbell’s first-half double earned David Gray’s in-form side a stirring 2-1 home win over the Scottish Premiership leaders, Celtic. But they remain 13 points clear after their Old Firm rivals Rangers could not capitalise on Celtic’s dropped points – the Ibrox side were booed off after a 2-0 loss to St Mirren.
Celtic were widely lauded for their display in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw in the Allianz Arena as they exited the Champions League after conceding in stoppage time.
But Brendan Rodgers’ team were brought back to earth as they suffered only a second domestic defeat of the season at the hands of a Hibs side now unbeaten in 13 matches and tightening their grip on a top-six spot after a dire start to the season.
Campbell scored at the start and end of the first half before the hosts had to withstand a second-half onslaught in which Daizen Maeda pulled one back and then had a late effort ruled out.
Rodgers, however, was unconvinced as he faced the media afterwards. “Well, I’m hoping to see conclusive evidence that it was out,” he said. “The linesman on this side, he had his flag up quite a lot today, but for the goal he clearly has probably one of the best views in the ground and he kept his flag down, which tells me that he felt it was in, not all of the ball was out.
“Then you’ve got to go and review it with VAR, but then you’re taking an angle from the 18-yard line. If you’re taking the angle from the 18-yard line, and you can tell me that you can absolutely say 100 per cent, then you’re having a guess.
“These are big games to be guessing, especially at this point in the season. Obviously the linesman was in a great position, so it was disappointing to have the official overruled in that moment. We were in a great moment. We get to two each, then we’ve still got enough time to go and find a winner.”
Rangers fans’ boosted by hopes of rejuvenation under potential new ownership left Ibrox raging after a chastening 2-0 defeat by St Mirren. Reports say the Govan club are in advanced talks about a multimillion pound investment from a USA-led consortium that includes Paraag Marathe, the president of 49ers Enterprises and chairman of Leeds.
That prospect excited supporters but new hope met current reality as the home fans endured a disjointed, laboured performance with second-half goals from the striker Mikael Mandron and the substitute Toyosi Olusanya handing the Paisley side their first win at Ibrox since November 1991.
Just before the break, the Rangers striker Hamza Igamane was shown a straight red card by the referee, Kevin Clancy, for a foul on the Saints captain, Mark O’Hara, only for it to be downgraded to a yellow by the official after his VAR asked him to check his monitor, but that made no difference.
after newsletter promotion
Philippe Clement told the BBC: “We were very nervous from the start of the game on the ball and that created chances for the opponent. We had spells when we were better but we were by far not good enough for the standards of Rangers.
“I can say only sorry and apologise [to Rangers fans] out of me and out of the team because this is not what a Rangers team needs to show on the pitch. We all know this was by far below the standards that we all expect.
“I’m always fighting until the end. I wanted to be on the field to fight, I cannot do that so my task is to do it from the sidelines and get the team in the right mindset. That was not the case today so I need to find the solution.”
Source: theguardian.com
