Hibernian took full advantage of Artur Boruc's blunder as Celtic suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at Easter Road.
Hibernian shock SPL leaders at Easter Road
Hibernian took full advantage of Artur Boruc's blunder as Celtic suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at Easter Road.
John Rankin tried his luck from fully 45 yards out early in the second half and the visiting goalkeeper allowed the ball to slip through his grasp and into the net.
The SPL leaders pressed for an equaliser but were undone in the 69th minute when Colin Nish put the finishing touch to a slick breakaway.
Boruc also endured a disastrous afternoon when Celtic lost 3-2 at Hibs last season - but his poor display that day was seen as an aberration.
This season the Poland goalkeeper has made a series of errors - he was culpable for two goals when Celtic last failed to win an SPL match, against Rangers in August.
Celtic in general were off colour as they failed to find their attacking flow or extend their four-point lead over Rangers.
Steve Thicot and Shaun Maloney had long-range efforts comfortably saved in the early stages, but the first quarter was devoid of goalmouth action.
Hibs created their first chance in the 29th minute but Steven Fletcher was off target after rounding Boruc outside the box.
Ambitious
The second half began in similarly low-key fashion. Maloney shot two yards over from long range after a good break by Mark Wilson and Gary Caldwell was booked for fouling Rankin twice as he broke forward.
But the match exploded into life when Rankin's ambitious 45-yard strike somehow bounced underneath the grasp of Boruc and into the net.
Celtic tried to respond and McDonald headed over from a right-wing cross by Georgios Samaras, who had replaced Cillian Sheridan just before the goal.
Andreas Hinkel shot inches wide after beating two Hibs players to the ball just inside the box.
The home side went two ahead in the 69th minute when Nish scored from close range.
Fletcher released O'Brien through the left channel, he rounded Boruc before pulling the ball back to the far post where Rankin's volley was diverted past the Celtic keeper by the big striker.
Aiden McGeady came on for Paul Hartley and Celtic soon survived a penalty claim when Craig Thomson waved play on as Glenn Loovens bundled into Nish.
The Republic of Ireland winger, back after a five-week absence, fired just over from 25 yards and Hibs comfortably held out for their first home win for almost three months.
