As Celtic had to come from behind once again in the cinch Premiership league on Saturday afternoon, it was quite a strange game, all things considered. Hibernian went down to ten men but then went ahead courtesy of another controversial VAR decision. It meant the Hoops had to be patient again in domestic action as we clawed our way back into the match and left little room for error even with an injury to Reo Hatate.

Celtic v Hibernian – cinch Premiership – Celtic Park Celtic s Jota scores from the spot on Saturday March 18, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh

After our own penalty was converted by the Portuguese winger Jota, Hyeongyu Oh came off of the substitutes bench to fire in a bullet header – something we’ve been missing lately in the penalty area coincidentally. Then Sead Haksabanovic delivered another sensational strike from outside the box to compete the comeback and keep us nine points ahead of the chasing pack at the summit of Scottish football.

Celtic v Hibernian – cinch Premiership – Jota celebrates on Saturday March 18, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh

Ange Postecoglou spoke after the game and revealed his delight at the outcome, whilst also insisting that composure was key during this great 3-1 victory over Lee Johnson’s men. “There were always things happening other than the football and we just couldn’t really get into a rhythm or a flow and impose ourselves on the game”, he said. “So we had to work pretty hard and stay pretty disciplined through that and, again, credit to the lads. In the second-half I thought we maintained our composure a lot better and made the impact when we needed to.”

“I don’t think it (sending off) makes it more difficult but it just adds to that chaos,” said the Hoops boss. “We lost Reo early and it just seemed like there was a lot going on out there that was not football-related, even the penalty we conceded. So it’s fair to say that we just couldn’t into a real rhythm but I thought in the second-half we did that. Even before then we created some good chances and David Marshall pulled off a couple of good saves, chances we would normally put away, but as I said, the boys got the job done.”

Celtic v Hibernian – Reo Hatate leaves the pitch injured on Saturday March 18, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh

The boss was pleased to see January transfer window addition Hyeongyu Oh get his third goal since arriving at the club and said that despite him still learning his physicality brings a different edge up top for Celtic these days.

He said: “He’s a good player and he will be a good player for us. We’re easing him into things here and he’s still learning a lot, but you watch him at training every day and he’s got a real presence about him inside the penalty box, and it was good for him to get the goal today. I thought when he came on he made a difference just with his physicality.”

Watch the boss speak about the game below…