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A disappointing night for Celtic as they only managed a draw against a fired up Hibs side who had the best of the chances on the night. Jamie Smith and Stephen Crainie started for Celts with Joos Valgaeren being rested. Didier Agathe was on the bench but didn't make an appearance. De La Cruz was giving Celtic some problems in the early part of the game and in 5 minutes Douglas did well to get a touch on a dangerous cross Celtic's first serious attempt at goal came when a long Stephen Crainie cross was met by the diving Hartson but the ball went well wide. On 22 minutes Hibs scored when John Hartson challenged for a deep cross. As he fell he headed the ball clear to Gary O'Connor who fired it home from the edge of the box. Bobo Balde was lucky not to see red as he put out his arm to block Paul Fenwick and caught him in the face. Fenwick collapsed as if struck by an anaesthetic dart but the referee didn't notice. The ball broke for Larsson whose angled chip was caught by Culkin. As half-time approached there were another couple of chances. Townsley hit a free kick round the wall but past the post and in injury time a Celtic corner led to a cross from Moravcik which Larsson headed over. Hibs had a great chance to make it 2-0 early on when Luna was played onside by Creaney. However Rab Douglas did well to stretch out his arm to block the striker's chip. Hibs were punished shortly afterwards. Their defence failed to clear and Jamie Smith laid off the ball to Moravcik on the right. He picked out Hartson beautifully with a left foot cross and the big man placed his header inside the post. Balde had a free header from a corner but he made poor contact and was well off target. Larsson was put in by Moravcik but hit the keeper with his effort. Guppy and Maloney came on for Petta and Moravcik and John Hartson had another chance close in which was saved well by the keeper. Perhaps at this stage on a dodgy pitch with a few injuries it wasn't too bad a result and we still have the same lead at the top of the league as we did have 2 weeks ago. |