RANGERS’ win over Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday meant that Celtic were unable to wrap up their eighth consecutive Scottish title with a win against Hibernian at Easter Road yesterday.
But the Parkhead club would have come up short even if they had got that chance as they were held to a 0-0 draw – their third in six league games - in Edinburgh.
So what did we learn from events in the capital?
KIERAN TIERNEY IS A CUP FINAL DOUBT
Neil Lennon admitted after the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen at Hampden eight days ago that he would like to shut down the left back, who has been dogged by injury in recent months, for the rest of the season.
The Scotland defender was omitted from the Celtic squad yesterday and his manager revealed he will see a specialist about the pelvic and groin injury he had aggravated in the triumph against Rangers last month this week and may require to undergo surgery.
🎙 On the Match: #CelticFC manager Neil Lennon gives his thoughts after #HIBCEL stalemate.
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) April 21, 2019
Watch on YouTube ⬇️
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Will the 21-year-old be available for the Scottish Cup final against Hearts on Saturday, May 25? It is looking increasingly unlikely. He will be a huge loss for his side, who will be bidding to complete another treble, if he fails to make the starting line-up.
Emilio Izaguirre stood in for Tierney once again yesterday. But the Honduran is not the player he once was. Going forward especially. He lacks the searing pace of his young protégé and his delivery into the opposition box when he does get forward is nowhere near as dangerous.
It will be a concern for Lennon in the coming weeks. Jonny Hayes, who played in his favoured position on the wing yesterday, was preferred to Izaguirre at left back by his predecessor Brendan Rodgers. Does he follow his example?
OLIVIER NTCHAM NEEDS GAMES
This has been a season to forget for the French midfielder. He has gone from being linked with a £9m move to Porto and scoring the winner against Rangers to being a peripheral figure at Parkhead and looking a shadow of his former self when he does get game time.
His contribution yesterday left a great deal to be desired. He gave the ball away on numerous occasions due to his poor control and lack of urgency and at one point even passed the ball out of the park. He was replaced by Tom Rogic after an hour after ballooning a shot high over the Hibs crossbar.
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This was only the 23-year-old’s third start since his dire performance at Ibrox back in December – he spent the first few months of this year sidelined with a hamstring injury - so his showing can be partially attributed to rustiness.
He showed occasional flashes of what he can do. He forced Ofir Marciano to tip a dipping shot over his crossbar in the first-half.
Ntcham has always blown hot and cold during his two years in this country. When he is good he is very good, when he is poor he is, well, awful. He needs games, and to get his confidence back, badly.
PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM HAS DONE GOOD
Hibernian’s excellent form under their English manager continued yesterday. They have now just lost one of the 10 games they have played under him and haven't lost any of their nine league matches. It is a remarkable record given some of the personnel he has been missing. His side deserved their point.
DAVID GRAY WAS OUTSTANDING
The Hibernian captain will forever be adored by supporters of the Easter Road club for the winning goal he scored in the Scottish Cup final against Rangers back in 2016. But the right back will have risen even higher in their estimations yesterday. He nullified the threat posed by James Forrest, Hayes and then Scott Sinclair down the left flank. His robust challenge on his counterpart Scott Brown got the biggest cheer of the day.
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AS WAS OFIR MARCIANO
Aside from an ambitious long-range efforts from Daryl Horgan and Stephane Omeonga early on and an Oli Shaw attempt with a few minutes remaining, Hibs failed to test Celtic goalkeeper Scott Bain.
But at the other end of the park Ofir Marciano denied Odsonne Edouard twice and then Jozo Simunovic brilliantly in injury-time. The Israeli earned his team a deserved draw with his heroics.
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