FULL strength restored, normal service resumed. Of a sort.

For at the moment, normal service for Celtic consists of rather disjointed performances that have required moments of late inspiration to save them. This time though, Celtic couldn’t find the answer after another questionable performance, and so spilled precious points for the first time in 10 league matches.

Hibernian will deservedly take the credit after earning a goalless draw against the league leaders, and it was probably a fair reflection of a game that won’t live long in the memory for the action – or lack thereof – on the field, but could go down as a critical moment in the title race.

There was huffing and puffing from Celtic, but they could not knock the stuffing out of a Hibs team that is starting to prove itself a tough nut to crack under Shaun Maloney after a difficult start to life at Easter Road for the former Celtic player.

If there was ever any doubt about the way Ange Postecoglou had prioritised this match over the limp UEFA Conference League exit to Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night – and there wasn’t – the evidence was writ large on the Celtic teamsheet.

There were seven changes from that side who predictably succumbed to defeat in the frozen north, with captain Callum McGregor and the rest of the big-hitters restored to the line-up. Daizen Maeda led the line with Giorgos Giakoumakis missing through injury.

There would be no excuses concerning the conditions this time either, with the sunshine on Leith a welcome tonic after the relentless cold and wind experienced in Bodo.

Hibs manager Maloney had little choice with his own line-up given he had a host of players missing through illness and injury, but Drey Wright was brought into the midfield in place of the ineligible Ewan Henderson, who is of course on loan at Easter Road from Celtic.

Early goals have been the undoing of Hibs against Celtic this season, particularly in October on their own patch where they were three down within half an hour, and they almost fell behind immediately once more.

Josip Juranovic got down the right and fired over a low cross that Tom Rogic just couldn’t turn home amid a sea of bodies.

That seemed to be a signal of intent from the visitors, but as they like to under Maloney, Hibs managed to establish a measure of controlled possession to get them through the opening 10 minutes.

Celtic created the next chance though, a wonderfully weighted diagonal from Jota on the left tempting Matt Macey from his goal, but Liel Abada’s dinked finish over the Hibs keeper landed the wrong side of the post from the winger’s point of view.

There was a huge blow for the hosts when Kevin Nisbet went down awkwardly under a poor Carl Starfelt challenge from behind, the Celtic defender picking up a booking and the Hibs forward signalling immediately to the sidelines that he was in trouble.

As feared, he was forced from the action with Christian Doidge coming on, and how long he will be absent must be a huge concern to Maloney given how quick he was to signal the gravity of his situation.

Hibs were containing Celtic for the most part at this stage, and it took a while for Postecoglou’s men to threaten again, the oft-fouled Sylvester Jasper ceding possession and Abada releasing Maeda in behind.

Macey got out to narrow the angle, and as the forward attempted to dance round him, the keeper got one of those long arms out to palm the ball to safety.

And that was about it for a first-half that was heavier on endeavour than quality, and was rather in-keeping with the laboured showings produced by Celtic since half-time in their win at Pittodrie. They have won games since then, of course, but the free-flowing football that was the hallmark of the thrilling wins over Rangers and Motherwell has been conspicuous by its absence of late.

They almost got a helping hand at the start of the second period, a sliced clearance from Ryan Porteous skidding just wide of his own post.

It would be Hibs who would eventually produce their first threat of the day next though, Jasper taking a pass from Chris Cadden inside the area and getting a shot away that looked to be troubling Joe Hart, but Wright inadvertently got in the way of his teammate’s shot.

Postecoglou had seen enough, hooking the ineffective Rogic for Matt O’Riley, while Maloney responded by taking off Wright for Chris Mueller.

Both made an impact, O’Riley picking up pockets of space in front of the Hibs defence and using the ball well, and Mueller getting back brilliantly to deny Reo Hatate a shot at the edge of the area.

With less than 15 minutes to go, Celtic finally showed a bit of cut and thrust as Jota and Greg Taylor linked down the left to fire a ball across goal that Abada thumped on target, only for the lumbering Macey – who was by now carrying a leg injury – to get a foot out to repel. Maeda, who was struggling to make any sort if impact, had been called offside in any case.

Josh Doig then threatened at the other end, going on a great run that had the Celtic defenders backing off, but firing into the side netting with his right foot at the vital moment.

Six minutes were added and Celtic pushed for another moment of late salvation. A clipped cross from Hatate cleared Macey, the stadium held its breath, but the ball cleared the head of Jota by inches as the goal lay gaping.

Small margins, that could be of huge consequence.