Hibernian 1 Celtic 4

August 25th 2001
Scottish Premier League
Attendance: 14,701

Scorers:
Hibernian: Fenwick.
Celtic: Moravcik, Sutton(2), Larsson.

This is a copy of a report of the game as it appeared in the Scotland on Sunday on Sunday 26th August 2001

Celtic's Easter parade

IF Celtic are at all distracted by the imminence of an unprecedented Champions League campaign in which they will they will hob-nob it with Europe's finest, they had a funny way of showing it in the familiar and altogether more humdrum surroundings of Easter Road last night.

A merciless haul of four goals in the opening half-hour indicated that the vision of Juventus, Porto and Rosenborg before them is not to the detriment of their title defence. Lubomir Moravcik, Chris Sutton (twice) and Henrik Larsson found the net in a startling opening period that strangled the occasion and extended their team's lead over Rangers.

Hibs, meanwhile, have more to think about than the UEFA Cup trip to AEK Athens. By the standards of those who analyse every cough and splutter emerging from the Old Firm on a weekly basis, Celtic must have entered this game wondering if one of these regular Old Firm crises was not developing.

In the wake of their euphoric triumph in Amsterdam, Martin O'Neill's side had been lethargic in a 0-0 draw with newly-promoted Livingston and uncharacteristically hesitant in the return leg against Ajax.

It took them just a quarter of an hour to settle on the familiar territory of Easter Road and remind doubters of their pre-eminence. Moravcik, being policed by the formidable frame of Matthias Jack, accepted a quick free-kick from Paul Lambert and exploited the space in the way he knows best. Some 30 yards out, he glanced towards the far corner and picked his spot with a sweet left-foot shot that seemed to pick up speed, like a burst balloon, as it fizzed beyond the flailing hand of Nick Colgan.

No sooner had O'Neill returned to his spot in front of the dugout, after rushing out to acclaim another magical contribution from his two-footed Slovak, than he was back on the touchline to acknowledge another. Didier Agathe, the former Hibs player who had been subject to venomomous abuse as he charged back and forth in front of the East Stand, forced Ulrich Laursen into a passback that amounted to a gift for Sutton. It was no surprise to see the big Englishman shrug off Paul Fenwick and knock it over the line.

Sutton had been putting himself about long before then. The omens were clear when Larsson dwelled for what seemed an eternity over a free-kick while his striking partner wrestled first with Fenwick and then John O'Neil in an effort to create space in the wall.

Laursen had no chance, really, when the resilient striker held him off, after a pass by Moravcik, to score Celtic's third from what may have been an offside position.

This was becoming ridiculous. Three goals in four minutes and Larsson hadn't scored any of them. That oddity was on a par with Celtic's white shirts, an inexplicable hue given the appearance of Hibs in fluorescent purple.

He rectified his oversight on the half hour, connecting with a corner by Alan Thompson and directing a header in off Grant Brebner on the goal-line.

Moravcik's goal apart, the humiliating spree was an instructive lesson for Hibs' uncomfortable defence.

Only Fenwick looked the part in a back three which also included Laursen, the Dane who is far more effective at wing-back than he is as a central defender, and Franck Sauzee. Even lovers of Hibs' ageing Frenchmen have been holding their breath for some time now, wondering when those creaking limbs will give way once and for all.

Of course, he still has touch and intelligence to die for. That much was clear 11 minutes into the second half when his delicate free kick, a 20-yarder which he wrapped his foot around as though it were a birthday gift, seemed to be heading for the bottom corner. Only an agile stretch by Robert Douglas, enabling him to scoop it down the byeline, denied Hibs an early consolation.

But it was asking a lot to demand of Hibs' defence, with Sauzee in the middle, that it fan out in response to Agathe's progress down the right.

Even O'Neill was carried away with that 15-minute period in which his team's self-belief, based on a not unreasonable assumption that they would score every time they ventured over halfway, was matched only by Hibs' nervousness.

Four goals up and without any logical need to risk life and limb by setting off in search of more, the Celtic manager was waving his men forward and urging the supporters with frantic hand signals to galvanise the visitors.

Only deep into the second half, when passion had drained from the match and O'Neill was enjoying a more sober perspective, did he settle for less.

Steve Guppy replaced Neil Lennon, John Hartson came on for Johan Mjallby and Sutton again dropped back to fill the void at centre-half.

Sadly for Hibs, he even bestowed on the occasion the air of a pre-season friendly by throwing on Dmitre Kharine for Robert Douglas.

Hibs restored a measure of pride in those circumstances. Former Watford striker Allan Smart debuted as a second-half substitute and almost furnished it with a goal when his crisp shot from the edge of the area tested the goalkeeper. He, at least, had something to play for.

On one of the entrances to the new West Stand at Easter Road a sign beckons "press and scouts". If any of the latter were there to watch Hibs, they had probably headed for the exits at half-time.

The Teams:

Hibernian: Colgan, Murray, Sauzee, Jack, J O’Neil, Fenwick, Laursen, Orman, Brebner, Brewster, McManus.

Celtic: Douglas, Boyd, Tebilly, Mjallby, Sutton, Agathe, Lennon, Lambert, Thompson, Moravcick, Larsson.

Tale from the Terracing - Fatty's View

What a disaster! After holding Celtic for 15 minutes the roof caved in. Moravcik scored a wonderful goal from 25 yards, but this was followed by a defensive mix up straight from the restart that let Sutton score a second.

Within the nect 10 minutes Celtic had added another two and the game was all over at 4-0.

Hibs did continue to try and go forward and did create a number of half chances, De La Cruz in particular started the second half brightly.

A Fenwick header 5 minutes from time was the only consolation for Hibs who were totally outclassed.

On a brighter note - Alan Smart came on late in the game and looks as though he can link up and score goals. Let's just hope that we don't play Celtic every week.

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