Hibernian 0 – 2 Celtic

A bolt from the blue from Callum McGregor helped Celtic secure a comfortable 2-0 win over Hibernian at Easter Road.

Brendan Rodgers’ side made it two wins from two as they opened their Scottish Premiership campaign in the sunny Scottish capital.

The visitors took the lead when Nicolas Kuhn converted a James Forrest cross after Kyogo’s first shot had been saved by Joe Bursik (3).

Celtic doubled their lead in scintillating fashion when McGregor, who announced his retirement from international football this week, collected Kuhn’s pass and found the top corner from 25 yards (19).

The result takes Celtic to the top of the table with a six-point advantage over the weekend’s remaining games, while Hibernian are bottom having lost both of their opening games.

McGregor Rolls Back the Years with a Stunning Show

McGregor reminded Scotland manager Steve Clarke what he will miss. The 31-year-old midfielder fired into the top corner from nearly 30 yards two days after announcing his retirement from international football.

Hibs struggled to find Kasper Schmeichel’s goal until the latter stages of David Gray’s first home league game as permanent head coach.

Gray brought in Dylan Levitt and new signing Mykola Kuharevich after his side’s opening 3-0 defeat to St Mirren, while Celtic remained unchanged after their 4-0 win over Kilmarnock.

The champions were ahead after three minutes from a move that began with a Hibs throw deep into the Celtic half. Greg Taylor’s clearance from inside his own area found Kuhn, who played a quick ball over the top that left the Hibs defence exposed to the pace of Kyogo Furuhashi.

The Japanese striker should have probably brought Kuhn on, but opted for a 22-yard shot. However, Josef Bursik could only parry the low shot into the path of James Forrest, who set up Kuhn for the tap-in.

Celtic continued to look like a team picking up where they left off in last season’s title race, with the bonus of winger Kuhn demonstrating improved pace.

Hibs contributed to their own downfall with a series of poor passes in their own half. Josh Campbell’s poor pass gave Furuhashi a good chance which he squandered, and further poor passes left them on the defensive and allowed McGregor his 19th-minute moment of magic.

Things were in danger of getting out of hand for the home side. Centre-back Warren O’Hora volleyed Alistair Johnston’s cross off the underside of his crossbar and Matt O’Riley fired just over from 20 yards.

Celtic remained in complete control and stepped up their efforts to extend their lead early in the second half. McGregor’s shot deflected off the post and Kuhn and O’Riley both threatened before Taylor’s wonderful pass put Furuhashi in behind, but Bursik saved.

Hibs showed signs of life with passes on goal from Martin Boyle and Lewis Millert, and Gray handed Kieron Bowie his debut.

Rudi Molotnikov had the home team’s first shot on target around the 70th minute, but his effort went well wide after beating two men.

Furuhashi missed the chance to finish off a devastating counterattack before going down injured with two separate problems. He shook off both, but with no experienced replacement, winger Mikey Johnston stepped into the centre-forward role to give the Japanese striker some rest, and fired a shot not very wide from 20 yards.

Bowie’s performance gave Hibernian fans at least one positive to take from the game: the former Fulham striker’s shot from a tight angle hit the crossbar.

Johnston himself came off late after taking a blow to the face from Bursik while retaking O’Riley’s blocked header, and substitute Daizen Maeda finished the game at centre-forward.

Analysis: Celtic back on track

Chris Sutton of Vscek:

“It’s the perfect start to Celtic’s league campaign. They finished the end of last season extremely strongly and have quickly gotten back into the same routine. It fell apart a bit in the second half and I think the team got a bit tired.

“All the changes have upset Celtic’s rhythm, but it’s been a tough place for them in the past. I think Brendan Rodgers will be happy with the three points. Hibs are a work in progress.

“It takes a lot of patience with David Gray, so let’s hope he can do it.”

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