Celtic manager Martin O’Neill verbally dismantles Scottish officiating in must-watch rant after Hibernian match

Martin O’Neill tasted domestic defeat for the first time since returning to Celtic as his side dropped three crucial points in the race for the Scottish Premiership title with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Hibernian.

Substitute Kai Andrews netted a dramatic winner three minutes from time to earn Hibs’ first victory at Celtic Park since 2010.

Felix Passlack had initially fired the visitors ahead before Benjamin Nygren netted his 18th of the season to equalise on the stroke of half-time.

Despite a period of relentless second-half pressure, the champions were forced to play the final 17 minutes of the game with 10 men when Auston Trusty was shown a straight red card.

Celtic trail league leaders Hearts by six points ahead of a testing run of four consecutive away fixtures – including next weekend’s Old Firm game at Ibrox – live on Sky Sports.

Once again, they found themselves behind as Passlack headed in Nicky Cadden’s sublime cross to open the scoring after 24 minutes.

It could and should have been worse.

Three minutes later Cadden picked out Martin Boyle’s clever run in behind Celtic’s backline. The Australian tried to round Kasper Schmeichel, but he took his touch too wide, and opted to shoot instead of squaring it to either Jamie McGrath or Owen Elding who were queuing up for a tap-in.

A let-off for the champions who responded with a barrage of attacks in their quest of an equaliser before the break.

Tomas Cvancara and Hyun-Jun Yang passed up golden opportunities before the in-form Nygren stepped up once again.

The Sweden international midfielder produced a diving header to convert from Kieran Tierney’s deflected cross on the stroke of half-time.

Celtic started the second half in the groove with wave after wave of green and white attack, but ultimately they paid the price for not taking advantage of their dominance.

Defender Auston Trusty was sent off in the 73rd minute for punching Jamie McGrath in the arm at a corner, and that’s when the game changed.

Hibs smelled blood and eventually got their winner in the 87th minute through Andrews.

The Coventry City loanee combined well with fellow substitute Arne Suto before calmly dispatching the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

Celtic’s 2-1 defeat to Hibernian will be talked about for refereeing decisions as much as the result. Two moments after the break changed the feel inside Celtic Park and left the home support raging with Liam Scales particularly frustrated.

Auston Trusty was sent off after a clash with Jamie McGrath before a corner. There was contact. His arm lifted and caught the Hibs player. It looked soft at first glance. Referee Matthew MacDermid was told to check the screen and then showed red instead of yellow. With ten men, Celtic were suddenly on the back foot. Celtic’s 2-1 defeat to Hibernian will be talked about for refereeing decisions as much as the result. Two moments after the break changed the feel inside Celtic Park and left the home support raging with Liam Scales particularly frustrated.

Auston Trusty was sent off after a clash with Jamie McGrath before a corner. There was contact. His arm lifted and caught the Hibs player. It looked soft at first glance. Referee Matthew MacDermid was told to check the screen and then showed red instead of yellow. With ten men, Celtic were suddenly on the back foot.

The bigger shock came moments later. From a Celtic corner, Liam Scales was clearly hauled back by Jack Iredale. His shirt was pulled tight and he was dragged away from the drop zone as the ball fell into the six-yard area. Scales would have been attacking the same space. Instead, he was on the deck.

The game carried on. Then VAR Grant Irvine stepped in. The stadium screen read: “Incident outside the Penalty Area.”

That simply did not fit with what had just happened. The pull began and carried on inside the box. It was not shoulder to shoulder. It was a clear tug that stopped Scales challenging for the ball.

Celtic were pushing for a winner at that point. A penalty changes the picture. Even with ten men, a goal swings momentum and lifts the crowd.