Iheanacho Strikes 151 Seconds After Coming On as Celtic Beat 10-Man Hibernian to Level on Points with Hearts

Key facts

• Kelechi Iheanacho scored 151 seconds after entering the match in the 72nd minute.
• Jamie McGrath received a red card in the 21st minute after a VAR review for a reckless tackle on Alistair Johnston.
• Daizen Maeda opened the scoring for Celtic in the 41st minute from a low cross by Johnston.
• Joe Newell equalised for Hibernian in first-half stoppage time with a goal that appeared to come off his arm.
• The victory moved Celtic level on points with league leaders Hearts, who face Rangers on Monday.
• Attendance at Easter Road was 18,113, with thousands of empty seats reflecting fan discontent.
• Hibernian have now had four players sent off in three games.

Substitute's Instant Impact Decides Tense Encounter

Kelechi Iheanacho scored just 151 seconds after coming off the bench to secure a 2-1 victory for Celtic against 10-man Hibernian at Easter Road, lifting Martin O'Neill's side level on points with Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts. The Nigerian forward, who had been a key figure in recent wins over Dundee and St Mirren, chested down a corner from Kieran Tierney and fired home in the 72nd minute after Arne Engels had headed the ball into his path. The goal came at a moment when Celtic appeared to be limping towards a disappointing draw despite enjoying a numerical advantage for more than 50 minutes.

Early Red Card Shapes the Contest

Hibernian's cause was dealt a severe blow in the 20th minute when midfielder Jamie McGrath slid recklessly into Alistair Johnston, catching the Canada international on the ankle. Referee initially showed a yellow card, but the video assistant referee (VAR) advised a pitch-side review, leading to an upgrade to a straight red. It was the fourth sending-off for Hibernian in three matches, a pattern of indiscipline that has undermined their campaign. The home side had already shown defiance early on when Warren O'Hora charged down a shot from Benjamin Nygren, but the red card forced them into a defensive posture for the remainder of the first half.

Maeda Strikes Before Controversial Equaliser

Celtic capitalised on their man advantage in the 41st minute when Johnston played a one-two with Nygren on the right and delivered a low cross that Maeda turned in from three yards. The visitors had started purposefully, with Maeda blazing over after being released by Callum McGregor, and they camped in the opposition half after the red card. However, Hibernian equalised in first-half stoppage time when Nicky Cadden's cross was not cleared properly by Nygren or goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo, and captain Joe Newell scooped the loose ball from seven yards. The ball appeared to roll off Newell's arm before he shot, but the goal stood after a lengthy VAR check, sparking frustration among the Celtic players and fans.

Iheanacho's Decisive Intervention and Nervy Finish

With tension rising in the away end, O'Neill introduced Iheanacho in the 69th minute, and within three minutes the substitute had made his mark. Arne Engels headed on Tierney's corner, and Iheanacho controlled the ball with his chest before firing home. Celtic had to endure nervy moments in the closing stages as Hibernian pushed for an equaliser, but they held on for a fourth consecutive league win. The victory moved Celtic four points clear of third-placed Rangers and behind Hearts only on goal difference, with Hearts and Rangers set to face each other at Tynecastle on Monday.

Fan Discontent and Title Race Dynamics

The atmosphere at Easter Road was notably subdued, with thousands of empty seats reflecting a section of Hibernian supporters who wanted their team to lose in order to damage the title hopes of their bitter rivals Hearts. O'Neill acknowledged the unusual dynamic after the match, saying he would be watching the Hearts-Rangers clash on Monday. 'Even if we won the rest of the games, we're not guaranteed to win the league, because if Hearts won all their games, they've got a better goal difference than us,' he said. The manager added that a draw between the two title rivals would be the best result for Celtic, as it would see both drop points.

O'Neill Philosophical on Contentious Goal

Reflecting on the controversial equaliser, O'Neill was measured in his response, noting that the ball appeared to come off Newell's arm before he scored. 'I probably would have a different answer had we lost the game,' he said. The goal stood after a lengthy VAR check, and O'Neill's side ultimately secured the three points. The result leaves Celtic in a strong position in the title race, with their fate now partly dependent on the outcome of Monday's match between Hearts and Rangers.

What Lies Ahead for the Title Contenders

Celtic's victory sets up a pivotal Monday evening when Hearts host Rangers in a 17:30 kick-off. A win for Hearts would open a three-point gap at the top, while a Rangers victory would lift them above Celtic into second. A draw would keep the top three tightly bunched. O'Neill's side have now won four consecutive league matches and will look to maintain momentum. For Hibernian, the defeat leaves them in the lower half of the table, with disciplinary issues a growing concern after four red cards in three games.

The bottom line

• Kelechi Iheanacho's 72nd-minute goal, scored 151 seconds after his introduction, secured a vital win for Celtic.
• Jamie McGrath's 21st-minute red card was the fourth sending-off for Hibernian in three matches.
• Joe Newell's contentious equaliser, which appeared to involve a handball, stood after a VAR check.
• Celtic moved level on points with leaders Hearts, who face Rangers on Monday.
• Thousands of empty seats at Easter Road reflected some Hibs fans' desire to see their team lose to harm Hearts' title hopes.
• Martin O'Neill said a draw between Hearts and Rangers would be the best result for Celtic.