Celtic laboured to take advantage of Hibernian’s fourth red card in three games before securing a victory that lifts them level on points with Heart of Midlothian at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Jamie McGrath was the latest Hibs sinner with a lunging challenge on Alastair Johnston after just 21 minutes.

The reigning champions looked set for an easy victory when Daizen Maeda scored his fourth goal in three games soon after.

But Joe Newell netted a controversial equaliser – where he seemed to control the ball with his hand – just before the break, only for Kelechi Iheanacho to secure the close-range winner.

It means Celtic only now trail Hearts on goal difference before the long-time leaders host Rangers, who are four points behind in third, on Monday.

Hibs, meanwhile, are left six points adrift of fourth-placed Motherwell and only two clear of Falkirk in the race for European qualification.

Hibs still looked shellshocked by their derby loss to Hearts in a lacklustre start during which Rocky Bushiri had to block a Benjamin Nygren shot and Maeda was put clear only to blast wastefully over.

Johnston was making his first start since picking up an injury in October and the Canada right-back was lucky not to suffer another as McGrath’s outstretched foot connected above his ankle.

It had already been one-way traffic with Hibs at full stretch and it became a defence versus attack training exercise when a VAR check confirmed the Republic of Ireland midfielder’s exit.

Celtic’s pressure told when Johnston found Maeda with a low cross to sweep home from five yards. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but the decision was reversed following a VAR check.

Hibs had rarely been in the Celtic penalty box but struck back on the stroke of half-time in controversial circumstances.

Goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo’s weak punch fell to Newell and the midfielder prodded home from 10 yards. It looked like the ball had come off the Englishman's arm, but the goal stood after VAR decided there was insufficient evidence to rule it out.

Celtic were struggling to create chances after the break, but substitute striker Iheanacho settled the game as he controlled a corner on his chest before a calm finish from five yards.

Striker Ante Suto, nevertheless, had a chance for a second shock equaliser two minutes from time, but the substitute fired into the side-netting.

The chat before the game was whether Hibs and their fans could contemplate a victory that might help city rivals Hearts to their first league title since 1960.

It could explain the empty seats dotted around Easter Road for what was a vital game for their own chances of European qualification.

The lack of atmosphere may have contributed to the home side’s lacklustre start, but they also looked uncertain at the back in the absence through suspension of goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger and wing-back Felix Passlack from last week’s derby defeat, along with centre-half Grant Hanley from the previous week’s red card.

McGrath’s moment of madness added to their woes, but even by then Celtic were on their way to an 85% domination of possession by half-time.

Defeat was probably no surprise considering Hibs have now failed to win any, and have lost nine, of the 13 league games when they have conceded the opening goal this season.

Since Hibs shocked Celtic 2-1 in Glasgow in February, David Gray’s side have won just once in seven outings, losing their latest three, while Martin O’Neill’s side have lost only once, winning nine of their 10 games, including their latest five.

Celtic’s scorers were probably no surprise either, Maeda having rediscovered his scoring touch and now found the net on his latest three visits to Easter Road.

Iheanacho proved to be the super sub again, just as he had with his extra-time double in the Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren, as his fourth goal in five games perhaps handed Celtic the momentum in a seesaw, three-team title race.

Winning is everything at this stage of the season.

What they said

Hibernian head coach David Gray: “It is a case of déjà vu going down to 10 men. I thought Celtic started fast, as we expected, but then you find yourself down to 10 men and it makes it extremely difficult.

“It is a definite red card. I think the most important thing is to stay in the game and we have done that – and then take the opportunities when they come.

“They put the bodies on the line to give us the chance to have a go in the last 10 minutes and we had one big chance and didn’t take it.”

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill: “A man sent off for Hibs, they had a couple sent off last week, and you think 11 v 10, we should be reasonably comfortable.

“We lost a very poor goal from our viewpoint just before half time and it changes the complexion of the game – Hibs having something to hold on to and defend very strongly, as they did last week with nine men.

“Of course there was an anxiety before the goal, but we got there. What do I want for tomorrow [when Hearts face Rangers]? I genuinely don’t know. We’ve won today, so there’s a bit of relief for 24 hours.” (BBC)

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