Celtic turned in a more complete performance than of late to beat Hibs 4-1.
Tomoki Iwata and Oh Hyeon-gyu both turned in performances that will make put them into contention for more regular involvement with the Korean striker scoring twice to allow Kyogo Furuhashi a 63 minute break.
The only downside was the substitution of Cameron Carter-Vickers at half-time, afterwards Brendan Rodgers revealed that it was a precaution against a tightening of the hamstring.
Carter-Vickers missed two months of action earlier this season, another stint on the sidelines would disrupt the stability at the back with Nat Phillips, replacing the former Spurs man looking vulnerable as Hibs continued to push despite trailing by three goals.
Unusually Celtic opened the scoring from a corner with Oh deflecting a close range shot from Carter-Vickers beyond David Marshall in the fifth minute.
Rodgers was looking for an upbeat start to the match and got that from his side with most of the play directed down the left.
With Hibs settling into the match Celtic went 2-0 in front in the 36th minute, Matt O’Riley arriving behind Oh to glance a header into the net from a Luis Palma cut-back.
🍀 Celtic’s comfortable 4-1 win over Hibernian kept them eight points clear at the top of the #cinchPrem table ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/d3cSWxfxHj
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 7, 2023
Six minutes into the second half the match was done and dusted. John Beaton overlooked a foul on Alistair Johnston but after a VAR review Luis Palma confidently netted past Marshall from 12 yards out.
There was one more goal for the homeside wit Oh demonstrating his physical presence and finishing touch to brush off Will Fish then curl his shot into the net.
Soon afterwards the substitutions started, the momentum wasn’t maintained with some sloppy defending punished by Christian Doidge in the 72nd minute.
Celtic: Hart, Alistair Johnston, Carter-Vickers (Phillips 45′), Scales, Taylor (Ralston 57′), O’Riley, Tomoki, McGregor (Paulo Bernardo 82′), Mikey Johnston (Tilio 63′), Hyeongyu Oh (Kyogo 63′), Palma
Subs: Turnbull, Tilio, Paulo Bernardo, Bain, Forrest
🗣️ “We scored four goals and could have had a few more. Overall the mentality of the team is very good.”
Brendan Rodgers reflects on Celtic’s 4-1 win over Hibernian and praises the visitors, adding “the league would be a better league if teams play like Hibs” ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/BxWnYoG2Cf
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 6, 2023
