16.12.2018 15:51 h

Celtic beaten at Hibs to miss out on top spot

Hibernian struck early in both halves to inflict Celtic's first league defeat in 10 games with a 2-0 victory at Easter Road and leave Kilmarnock on top of the Scottish Premiership.

Vykintas Slivka opened the scoring for the hosts after just 46 seconds and a Celtic side featuring four changes from Thursday's 2-1 defeat to RB Salzburg in the Europa League failed to muster any response.

Florian Kamberi doubled Hibs' advantage at the end of a flowing counter-attack just before the hour mark to secure just a second win for the Edinburgh side since they were beaten 4-2 at Celtic Park in October.

A third domestic defeat of the season for the Scottish champions means Celtic remain a point behind Kilmarnock at the top of the table, albeit still with two games in hand.

However, third-placed Rangers can go top on goal difference should Steven Gerrard's men beat lowly Hamilton at Ibrox later on Sunday.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers bemoaned a heavy December schedule in midweek with nine games this month and the visitors badly missed the injured Dedryck Boyata, Kieran Tierney, Ryan Christie and Tom Rogic in a performance reminiscent of their early season struggles.

Slivka got Hibs off to a flyer when he cut inside Jozo Simunovic to fire past Craig Gordon.

The Celtic 'keeper made amends for a huge blunder that led to Salzburg's second on Thursday by saving Stevie Mallan's free-kick moments later.

Yet, despite the visitors dominating possession, Ofir Marciano in the Hibs goal was rarely troubled.

And Hibs had breathing space on 59 minutes when substitute Sean Mackie teed up Kamberi to control and drill an excellent finish high past Gordon.