- Jasper Wellington
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Hibernian's Stellar Performance Against Celtic
On February 22, 2025, Hibernian delivered a standout performance by beating Celtic 2-1 in a gripping Scottish Premiership match. The game saw Josh Campbell netting twice in the first half, sending shockwaves through the stadium. Right from the start, Campbell took advantage of Celtic's shaky defense, scoring within the first two minutes. This early lead put Hibs in a commanding position, and they didn't hold back. Campbell struck again just before halftime with a precise header from Martin Boyle's expertly placed cross. After a tense VAR review to rule out any offside, the goal stood, doubling their lead.
Celtic, reeling from their recent Champions League elimination by Bayern Munich, found themselves struggling to get back into the game. Their usual composed style was missing, and it showed. They finally managed to rally when Daizen Maeda narrowed the deficit in the 68th minute with a well-taken goal.
Impact of VAR and Defensive Challenges
The match saw technology play a crucial role, especially with a key decision late in the game. Maeda's follow-up strike was denied after another meticulous VAR check, citing offside, which dashed Celtic's hopes for a comeback. Adding to their woes, Hibs' defense, particularly Rocky Bushiri, showcased immense resilience. Bushiri's superb goal-line block stopped Jota's shot, keeping Celtic at bay. Hibernian’s ability to withstand second-half pressure from Celtic and keep their advantage till the final whistle was commendable.
Now unbeaten in 13 league games, this win props up Hibernian's top-six ambitions, especially considering their rocky start to the season. For Celtic, this match exposed a few vulnerabilities, reminding them of the challenges that come following the high-stakes exertions of European fixtures.
While the spotlight was on Hibs and Celtic, another notable event occurred as Rangers fell to St Mirren at Ibrox. It's noteworthy this was Rangers' first home defeat to the Paisley outfit since 1991, adding an unexpected twist to the day's outcomes. Both Celtic and Rangers will undoubtedly be back to the drawing board, addressing holes in their strategies as they continue their campaigns.
