League leaders Celtic beat Hibs to increase gap at top of Premiership

Celtic have increased their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a victory over Hibernian in Parkhead.

The champions never had it all their own way in the east-end of end of Glasgow and Kasper Schmeichel was on top-form as they weathered a few storms before running out 3-0 winners.

Hibs goalkeeper Jordan Smith also had a good game with both sides creating plenty of chances throughout the duration of the game on Saturday afternoon.

Arne Engels opened the scoring early in the first-half before a Joe Newell own-goal early in the second doubled the lead.

A late strike by Kyogo Furuhashi secured all three-points for Brendan Rodgers’ men.

The victory means the Hoops are now nine points clear at the summit, with a game in hand, after second-placed Aberdeen were held to a 1-1 draw with St Johnstone at Pittodrie. .

Two early chances fell to the away side with Mykola Kukharevych put through one-on-one with the keeper before forcing Kasper Schmeichel into a save from point-blank range after just two minutes.

Nicky Cadden was next up when he had an effort from the edge of the area that was kept out again by the Denmark goalkeeper as Hibs started brightly.

But it was Celtic who took the lead soon after when Engels turned an Alistair Johnston cross past Smith to make it 1-0.

Luke McCowan came close to doubling the lead just moments later but his shot glanced off the bar before sailing over.

Hibs goalie Smith then did well to prevent Adam Idah getting on the scoresheet in a hectic opening 15 minutes in Parkhead.

Up the other end, a good chance fell to David Gray’s captain Joe Newell just outside the box, but he failed to hit the target.

Hibs continued to look dangerous on the counter-attack and Celtic had Schmeichel to thank again for keeping them in-front when he sprung into action to deny Kukharevych, who seemed to finding acres of space at ease between the Hoops defence in the first-half.

Smith produced another good save to deny Idah from doubling Celtic’s lead just before half-time.

However, he couldn’t stop the Hoops from making 2-0 after the break when the Republic of Ireland forward headed a corner from McCowan across the face of the goals before Newell put it into his own net.

Schmeichel was also kept busy in the second-half and he was called upon to make two good saves from Lewis Miller as Hibs pushed to get back into the game.

Kyogo secured all three points with five minutes left on the clock when he was put through by James Forrest before delicately chipping it over Smith and into the net.

It is Dinamo Zagreb away up-next for Celtic as they look to secure a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Following that will be the League Cup final against Rangers at Hampden next Sunday.