David Gray bemoans Hibs missed chances against Celtic

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The Celtic Star

·8 December 2024

David Gray bemoans Hibs missed chances against Celtic

David Gray reckons he has never seen a ‘Hibs team having so many clear-cut chances at Celtic Park,’ as he laments his side’s missed opportunity…

The visitors remarkably tallied up nine shots on target in the match, one more than Brendan Rodgers’ men as Gray’s relegation-threatened Hibees passed up several chances.

Kasper Schmeichel had his busiest day

Man of the Match Kasper Schmeichel had his busiest day as a Celtic goalkeeper domestically since arriving as a free agent in the summer.

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Celtic v Hibernian – Scottish Premiership – Celtic Park – Reo Hatate and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel celebrate following the match at Celtic Park on Saturday December 7, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

Schmeichel produced two key saves to deny Ukrainian forward Mykola Kuharevich opening the scoring as the Hibs frontman’s darting runs caused havoc to Celtic’s backline.

Hoops record signing Arne Engels punished the opposition who had squandered the chance to take the lead. Alistair Johnston’s pinpoint cross found the feet of the Belgian midfielder who broke the deadlock.

Despite Hibs skipper Joe Newell’s own-goal courtesy of a dangerous Luke McCowan cross which decapitated any prospect of Hibs taking points from the encounter , the visitors still had decisive opportunities to reduce the deficit.

Celtic v Hibernian – Celtic Park Hibernian’s Joe Newell scores an own goal, for Celtic’s second goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park, Saturday December 7, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

But, Hoops shotstopper Kasper Schmeichel, who has now kept 12 clean sheets in 15 Scottish Premiership matches, proved to be unstoppable despite David Gray’s side’s staggering 14 shots.

Kyogo made sure of the three points

Kyogo sealed an important three points for the hosts delicately chipping the ball over new Hibs no.1 Jordan Smith for the clinical finisher’s sixth goal of the league campaign.

Kyogo Furuhashi scores in the second half of a Scottish Premiership football match against Hibernian on December. 7, 2024. Photo IMAGO

Meanwhile, Celtic widened the gap between themselves and Aberdeen to nine points following the Dons dropping more points courtesy of a 1-1 draw at Pittodrie against St Johnstone.

For the Scottish champions opposition, their positive attacking performance at Paradise does not reflect their league position. Due to rivals Hearts’ 2–0 victory over Dundee yesterday afternoon, Hibs languish at the bottom of the table on 13 points.

Speaking post-match David Gray bemoaned missed opportunities but praised his team’s approach to their encounter with Celtic.

“I can’t remember a Hibs team having so many clear-cut chances at Celtic Park”

“It’s quite difficult to digest at the moment because you know coming here that when you get chances you need to take them,” he said.

“I can’t remember a Hibs team having so many clear-cut chances at Celtic Park, so much so their keeper was man of the match. They got one chance early on and it goes in. We had numerous and didn’t score. That’s the difference.”

Celtic v Hibernian – Scottish Premiership – Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel celebrates following the match at Celtic Park on Saturday December 7, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

“It’s difficult to leave here with nothing. There’s really disappointment in the dressing-room. The players deserve a lot of credit for their effort. But if we take our chances in the game, it could have looked so much different.”

Gray explained, “there’s no point feeling sorry for yourself. Kyogo has a one-on-one late in the game and it’s a goal. But that’s why he plays in the Champions League for Celtic.”

“It’s about staying calm in that final action in front of goals. I have to take the positive side out of it – and that’s the way we created those chances.”

Conor Spence