You are in > manchester.com  > News > Hoops go four points clear of Rangers after beating Hibs

General Sport

Hoops go four points clear of Rangers after beating Hibs

11/05/2008

Celtic have gone four points clear of Rangers in the title race after a 2-0 win over Hibernian at Parkhead.

Goals in each half from Stephen McManus and Scott McDonald sees the Hoops regain their advantage over their bitter rivals, who have two games-in-hand.

Hibs had Martin Canning and Ian Murray sent off in the last six minutes, and remain fifth in the table.

Gordon Strachan's side made a sloppy start and were lucky not to go behind. Artur Boruc sprinted off his line to deny Ross Campbell and then tipped Dean Shiels' strike around the post.

Minutes later, the ball broke free to Shiels at the back post with skipper McManus blocking his effort.

Celtic punished Hibs' inability to take their chances on 36 minutes when McManus towered above his marker to head in Shinsuke Nakamura's corner.

Nakamura then came agonisingly close to grabbing the home side's second with a swerving free-kick which rattled the post on 43 minutes.

The SPL champions improved after the break and should have doubled the lead when McDonald was sent through on goal, with the Australian rounding the keeper but having two efforts blocked by Murray.

Hibs' hopes of salvaging something were destroyed when Canning was given a second booking for a crunching tackle on Barry Robson on 84 minutes.

Three minutes later, Celtic made it 2-0 when Robson's free-kick was flicked on by Caldwell for McDonald to head in his 31st goal of the season.

Mixu Paatelainen's side's were then reduced to nine men after Murray was dismissed for a lunge on Aidan McGeady.

But Celtic could not add to their lead in the dying minutes and now face an anxious wait to see how Rangers fare in their games-in-hand.

Hull KR produce stunning fightback to see off Giants

Hull Kingston-Rovers through to fifth round of Challenge Cup after 42-22 win over Huddersfield at Craven Park

Hull Kingston-Rovers are through to the fifth round of the Challenge Cup after a 42-22 win over Huddersfield at Craven Park.

In a ding-dong battle, the Giants took an early lead with tries from Paul Whatuira and Ryan Hudson.

But the Robins led 20-12 at the break with Scott Murrell, Daniel Fitzhenry, Peter Fox and Shaun Briscoe crossing the line.

The visitors regained the lead when Whatuira and Martin Aspinwall touched down, but tries by Mick Vella, Fox, Chris Chester and Ben Fisher clinched victory for Rovers.