Source: Team_Talk
Keane clinches victory for Celtic
Robbie Keane scored a second-half penalty as Celtic won 1-0 at Hibernian to move back to within 10 points of SPL leaders Rangers.[LNB] Hibs had the better of the first half but found Celtic's stand-in goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska, replacing Artur Boruc who was out due to a family bereavement, in fine form.[LNB]Celtic rallied and in the 61st minute, after Anthony Stokes made a high challenge on Aiden McGeady which was judged worthy of a spot-kick by referee Charlie Richmond, Keane slammed the ball confidently past Graham Stack.[LNB]It was the Irish striker's 12th goal in 12 games since arriving on loan from Tottenham in January and will increase interim manager Neil Lennon's chances of getting the job on a permanent basis.[LNB]With the Leith club in the throes of completing the re-building of their stadium, the backdrop to the game was a demolished east stand.[LNB]The threadbare pitch did little to embellish the surroundings but the home side looked in good condition in the early stages.[LNB]In the fourth minute Zaluska made a fine save from Ian Murray's header at the expense of a corner, and as the visitors failed to clear their lines properly Hibernian defender Sol Bamba hooked the ball over the bar from six yards.[LNB]Moments later the Polish goalkeeper made another good save, this time from Stokes, blocking the Irishman's angled drive after he had raced clear of the Celtic defence.[LNB]Celtic retaliated, with Bamba having to make a saving tackle on Marc-Antoine Fortune 10 yards out after the Celtic striker had been set up by McGeady.[LNB]In the 12th minute, Lee Naylor's corner from the right was headed back across goal at the far post by Georgios Samaras and Josh Thompson volleyed over.[LNB]Then referee Richmond ignored a penalty claim from Keane after he claimed Murray had handled the ball in the box when dispossessing the striker.[LNB]Play zipped from end to end with more pace and power than precision.[LNB]Hibs had the upper hand but only just, with the battle between Celtic defender Darren O'Dea and Hibs striker Colin Nish symbolising the meaty encounter.[LNB]As the game nudged over the half-hour mark Samaras had a 25-yard drive saved with some comfort by Stack.[LNB]Stokes had the ball in the Celtic net in the 39th minute but the offside flag was already up.[LNB]As Celtic tried to impose themselves on the game Keane mis-kicked from Fortune's cross two minutes from the interval.[LNB]Celtic started the second half in seemingly more determined mood and McGeady, who had showed glimpses of skill earlier, cut inside and drove over the bar from 16 yards.[LNB]In the 57th minute, as the home side pressed with some purpose, Nish had an effort from 25 yards easily saved by Zaluska, moments before Stack had a similarly comfortable save to make from Fortune at the other end.[LNB]However, Celtic took the lead shortly after Hibs defender Steven Thicot was booked for a foul on Samaras 25 yards from goal.[LNB]Naylor's left-footed free-kick was pushed away by Stack for another corner but as the home side tried to clear their lines from the set-piece, Stokes raised his foot in challenging McGeady and Richmond pointed to the spot.[LNB]Keane stepped up and rifled the penalty to Stack's right-hand side and took the acclaim of the Celtic fans behind the goal.[LNB]Hibs staggered for a few moments but almost drew level in the 68th minute when former Hoops star Derek Riordan, who hitherto had been disappointing, sent a shot from 25 yards crashing off the top of the Celtic bar.[LNB]Riordan and John Rankin were replaced by Danny Galbraith and Abdessalam Benjelloun as the Leith side tried to get back level.[LNB]However, the expected late Hibs onslaught failed to materialise, leaving Celtic to pick up three more SPL points and Lennon to depart with more brownie points.
