Celtic’s successful league run was delivered to a halt at Easter Highway as Hibs ended their dropping run towards the leaders this season with a goalless draw.
The beneath pars Hoops spilled two factors in Leith as they didn't bounce again from their midweek European exit.
Ange Postecoglou’s males had received 10 home gams on the spin however Shaun Maloney’s aspect have been effectively price their level in a dire recreation.
With their European journey over, Ange Postecoglou made seven adjustments from the aspect that went right down to Bodo/Glimt in midweek.
And there was no place for final week’s hat-trick hero Giorgos Giakoumakis who was lacking from the squad fully on account of sickness.
It was an open begin with two groups seeking to get the ball down and play nevertheless it was the guests who carved out the primary actual probability.
Jota performed a superb diagonal move for Liel Abada and the Israeli beat Matt Macey to the ball however his lob over the Hibs keeper went into the aspect netting.
The house aspect suffered an harm blow halfway via the primary half when Kevin Nisbet was compelled off after Carl Starfelt’s problem from behind which earned the Swede a reserving from Kevin Clancy.
Christian Doidge was launched rather than the crocked striker however the Hoops pressed for the opener late within the first half.
Abada slipped the ball via to Daizen Maeda however Macey was fast off his line to avoid wasting on the striker’s toes and Josip Juranovic had a free kick saved on the break - the one shot on the right track from both aspect the opening 45 minutes.
Sylvester Jasper, on mortgage from Fulham, was full of life and his shot early within the second half was set to check Joe Hart nevertheless it smacked off Doidge who bought in the best way.
Abada then had a shot blocked from Greg Taylor’s cross however Maeda was flagged offside because the guests scrambled to get the rebound.
Macey performed on regardless of an harm which was so dangerous he wanted Ryan Porteous - included regardless of his off-field points - to take his kickouts.
Going into the ultimate 10 minutes, the possibility was there for a hero and Josh Doig was so near being that man with the complete again embarking on an excellent run solely to shoot broad.
This is three speaking factors from Easter Highway:
Flat Hoops
The exit from Europe was supposed to assist Celtic of their title bid however the first signal since going out of the Europa Convention League wasn’t one.
However a few of the performances have hinted at this, with a warning as not too long ago as final week once they solely edged Dundee at dwelling.
Going out of continental competitors will solely be acceptable if it results in Postecoglou’s males being topped champions in Might.
However this can be a season that actually might go both method as they chase a treble they usually might want to get that depth again that has made them such a pleasure to look at at instances this season.
Title race jitters
It’s been some time because the title race was as intently contested as it's proper now and you may really feel the strain.
Rangers dropped two factors at Tannadice final week earlier than Celtic took full benefit with a nervy, late win towards Dundee.
And it seems like that’s the best way it’s going to be for the remaining video games of the season with little to separate the highest two.
It’s most likely not the perfect for followers whose nerves are shredded for 90 minutes most weeks and there could possibly be a couple of twists and turns.
Nisbet nightmare
When Kevin Nisbet went down below Carl Starfelt’s problem halfway via the primary half it was clear immediately that it wasn’t good.
The striker signalled instantly for change, suggesting that he knew himself it was a critical harm.
Nisbet may not have been at his finest in latest weeks however he stays Hibs largest objective risk with 9 to his identify this season.
It is going to be an issue for Shaun Maloney if he faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines however worse for the 24-year-old.