Hibee History: Scott Brown helps to shoot down his new club
The 21-year-old, who agreed a £4.4m summer move to Celtic on Wednesday, headed in a 60th-minute equaliser from Dean Shiels’ cross. That left substitute Ivan Sproule to break clear and fire a late winner.
Former Hibee Derek Riordan had put Celtic ahead after 56 minutes when the striker powered down the left and finished from the tightest of angles.
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Hide AdBut that goal came against the run of play and Hibs’ dramatic victory, which ended a run of nine games without a win, was as deserved as it was unlikely.
Celtic, whose manager Gordan Strachan sat in the stands after undergoing a hip operation, made a host of changes with the Scottish Cup final in mind - keeper Mark Brown and midfielder Theodore Bjarnason making their debuts.
Hibs, looking for their first home win over Celtic in 12 games, were the better side in the first-half.
Brown, who was loudly cheered by both home and away fans, relished his chance to impress and he was unlucky not to make contact with a fine David Murphy cross after just six minutes.
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Hide AdHibs had much the better of the first-half, without making too many clear-cut chances, while Celtic were limited to a Bjarnason shot which was tipped onto the bar by Andrew McNeil.
Celtic looked to be asserting themselves on the game after the break when Craig Beattie latched on to a Thomas Gravesen pass and stroked the ball home, only to be flagged offside.
Nonetheless, Riordan’s goal came as something of a surprise.
The ex-Hibs player was chased to the byeline by Chris Hogg but still managed to get in a shot which somehow beat Hibs keeper Andrew McNeil.
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Hide AdFour minutes later, Brown’s flying header levelled matters and Merouane Zemmama should have made it 2-1 two minutes from the end but he blazed over from six yards out.
But there was still time for a final twist, Sproule rounding Celtic’s Brown and firing through Stephen McManus’ legs.
Hibs: McNeil, Whittaker, Jones, Hogg, Murphy, Stevenson, Zemmama, Scott Brown (Chisholm 90), McCann, Fletcher (Campbell 82), Shiels (Sproule 83). Subs Not Used: Simon Brown, Beuzelin, Gray, Martis.
Celtic: Brown, Perrier Doumbe, Kennedy, McManus, O’Dea, Hartley, Caldwell, Gravesen (McGeady 69), Bjarnason, Riordan, Beattie (Sheridan 88). Subs Not Used: McGovern, Irdine, Conroy, Cuthbert, Paul Caddis.
Ref: Iain Brines.
Att: 13,885.