Celtic's Unforeseen Struggle at Easter Road
February 22, 2025, was not a day to remember for Celtic fans. As the league leaders, a defeat by Hibernian was the last thing they expected. The match at Easter Road saw Hibs take the lead with two first-half goals from the talented Josh Campbell. His performance not only frustrated Celtic but ignited hopes for Hibernian's climb up the league table. Despite Daizen Maeda's response in the 68th minute, narrowing the lead to 2-1, Celtic couldn't break through Hibs solid defense until the final whistle. Moreover, with a full week of recovery from a previous Champions League exit against Bayern Munich, many expected a stronger showing from Celtic, making this loss perplexing for fans and analysts alike.
This match derived tension not just on the scoreboard but in the very fabric of the game: eight minutes of injury time added to the anticipation, with Celtic pressuring relentlessly. However, Hibs held firm, securing a victory that places them fifth in the league—a morale boost for the team and fans. Celtic's defeat, however, does little to compromise their first-place position, keeping them 13 points clear of the competition.
Rangers' Troubling Day at Ibrox
Down in Glasgow, Rangers faced their own set of challenges against St Mirren. Mikael Mandron opened the scoring for St Mirren in a controversial decision that required a VAR review to overturn an initial offside call. This pivotal moment set the tone for Rangers' struggles as they failed to respond adequately to the setback.
The second goal from Toyosi Olusanya, a splendid late curler, iced the game at 2-0, delivering an emphatic message: St Mirren is a force to reckon with. This loss marks Rangers' first league defeat since Boxing Day—a fact that sheds light on their inconsistent form under manager Philippe Clement, who has recently faced pressure despite prior support from the club's hierarchy. The victory propels St Mirren into a respectable spot in the top six, while Rangers must now reassess their strategy moving forward.
For the fans of both Celtic and Rangers, this weekend served as a reminder of the unpredictability that football often offers. As the season progresses, every match tells a story that could change the league narrative, and this weekend's results have certainly made things more interesting.
Comments
rakesh meena
Celtic got rocked and nobody cares theyre still top 13 points clear
Avantika Dandapani
Hibs fans must be crying tears of joy right now. Josh Campbell was pure magic tonight. This is why we love football - the underdogs rising up and reminding everyone that stats don't tell the whole story.
I remember when Hibs were stuck in the mud for years, and now look at them - gritty, smart, fearless. That defense held like a wall even when Celtic threw everything at them.
It's not just about goals, it's about heart. And Hibs had more of it tonight. The way they absorbed pressure, stayed compact, didn't panic... that's coaching. That's culture.
And Daizen Maeda? He tried. He always tries. But sometimes even the best can't break through when the team in front of them is playing with fire in their eyes.
Ayushi Dongre
The structural imbalance of Scottish football is increasingly apparent. The financial disparity between the Old Firm and the rest creates a pseudo-monopoly, yet here we observe the emergent properties of collective resilience within smaller clubs. Hibernian's victory is not merely tactical; it is epistemological. It challenges the hegemony of expectation.
St Mirren’s win, similarly, reflects a reconfiguration of power dynamics. VAR’s intervention, while technically correct, underscores the paradox of algorithmic authority in human drama. The game remains governed by chaos, even when systems attempt to impose order.
sandeep singh
Celtic and Rangers are soft. They've forgotten what it means to fight. These so-called giants are getting exposed by teams that actually care about the badge. You don't get to be champions by just spending money. You get it by grit. By blood. By soul. Hibs and St Mirren showed more fight in 90 minutes than both Old Firm clubs have shown all season.
Sumit Garg
Let us not overlook the statistical anomaly: Celtic's 13-point lead is mathematically secure, yet psychologically fragile. The psychological warfare waged by Hibs' defensive discipline-particularly in the final 20 minutes-suggests a systemic erosion of elite team mentality. Moreover, the VAR decision in the Rangers match was not merely correct, but constitutionally necessary to preserve the integrity of the contest, given the proximity of the offside line and the velocity of the attacking movement. This is not luck. This is systemic failure masked as randomness.
Sneha N
I’m literally shaking. 🥹💔 Hibs vs Celtic was a cinematic masterpiece. The way Josh Campbell ran with that ball like it was made of lightning... and then the silence at Easter Road when the final whistle blew? I sobbed. I truly sobbed. This is why I live. This is why I breathe. Football is poetry written in sweat and pain. I need a tissue. And a new hoodie. 🖤
Manjunath Nayak BP
Okay so let me break this down for you all because nobody seems to get it. This isn't just about Hibs or St Mirren. This is about the entire Scottish football system being rigged. The Old Firm have been getting preferential treatment from the SFA for decades. Referees, VAR, scheduling, everything. Why do you think Celtic played Bayern and then had a full week off? Meanwhile, Hibs had to play a midweek cup game and still showed up? That’s not luck, that’s a conspiracy. And don’t even get me started on how Rangers got the VAR call reversed-there’s footage online where the ball was clearly behind the line. But no, the system protects the big boys. The media won’t talk about it. The fans are brainwashed. But I’m not. I see it. And now you all do too.
Tulika Singh
Sometimes the game reminds us what matters.
naresh g
Wait, wait, wait-so Hibs scored two goals, Maeda got one back, and then Celtic had eight minutes of stoppage time and still couldn't equalize? And Rangers lost 2-0 after VAR overturned an offside? And this is the same league where Celtic were supposed to win every game? That’s... that’s not possible. That’s not statistically plausible. I need to see the footage again. I need to check the lineups. I need to know if the pitch was wet. Was the ball inflated correctly? Did the referee have a personal vendetta? Did someone tamper with the goalposts? I’m not saying anything, I’m just asking questions.
Brajesh Yadav
Celtic and Rangers are DONE. 🤡 This is the end of an era. You think you're untouchable? You think money buys titles? Nah. This is karma. This is divine justice. You spent billions and still got embarrassed by two teams that actually love the game. Hibs and St Mirren? They didn't need fancy jerseys or 100 million euro transfers. They had grit. They had pride. They had soul. And that’s why they won. The Old Firm are just rich men’s toys now. 🖤
Govind Gupta
There’s something quietly beautiful about how Hibs played tonight-not flashy, not loud, but deeply, stubbornly effective. Like a river carving stone over decades. No fanfare, no headlines, just relentless cohesion. And St Mirren? That second goal wasn’t just a strike, it was a statement wrapped in grace. The kind of moment that makes you pause your coffee and whisper, 'Wow.'
tushar singh
Big win for Hibs and St Mirren! This is what football is all about-heart over hype. These teams didn’t have the budget, but they had the will. That’s the spirit. Keep pushing, keep believing. The league’s better when everyone’s fighting. Go Hibs! Go St Mirren!
Nikhil nilkhan
I’ve watched enough football to know that the best moments aren’t the ones that make the headlines. They’re the ones that make you sit back, quiet, and just feel it. Hibs holding on after 8 minutes of stoppage time? That’s not just defense. That’s character. And the way the crowd reacted? That’s the soul of the game. No need to overthink it. Sometimes, the simplest truths are the truest.
Damini Nichinnamettlu
This is why Indian football will never be respected. We don’t have the discipline. We don’t have the grit. We don’t have the culture. Look at Hibs. Look at St Mirren. They fight for every inch. We just wait for someone to hand us a trophy. Shame.
Vinod Pillai
Celtic and Rangers are bankrupt in spirit. They’re just corporate brands now. Hibs and St Mirren? They’re clubs. Real ones. With history. With pain. With fans who actually show up. This is what happens when you forget the roots. You get hollow victories. They’re not champions. They’re just lucky.
DJ Paterson
There’s something almost poetic about the way football unfolds. The quiet dignity of Hibs' defense, the unspoken resolve of their players, the way the stadium held its breath for 90 minutes-it wasn’t just a match. It was a ritual. And St Mirren’s goal? A quiet thunderclap. The Old Firm may lead the table, but tonight, the soul of the league lived elsewhere.
Robert Shealtiel
Celtic lost and nobody even noticed
Marrissa Davis
I’m so proud of Hibs and St Mirren! This is what makes football magical-underdogs rising up and showing everyone that heart beats money every time. Keep going, you guys! You’re inspiring!
Sean Brison
Hibs' defensive structure was textbook. They dropped into a compact 5-4-1 in the final 25 minutes, forced Celtic into wide areas, and cut off all central passing lanes. The fullbacks didn't push up, the midfielders stayed tight, and the goalkeeper was calm under pressure. That’s elite coaching. Not luck. Not magic. Just smart football. And St Mirren’s second goal? That was pure technique-body shape, weight of touch, placement. Look at the replay frame by frame. It’s a masterclass.