Keane ensures tricky hurdle is cleared

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE/Hibernian 0 Celtic 1:NEIL LENNON'S celebrations at full time showed he knew a meaningful hurdle had been negotiated. Celtic's interim manager had pinpointed a visit to Easter Road as the first real test of his spell in charge and of his ability to take on the post full-time from the summer. It was not pretty but Robbie Keane's second-half penalty secured three points for the visitors and for Lennon a second win in his two games so far. The win also dragged Celtic back to within 10 points of leaders Rangers

“I am more pleased than after we won last week,” Lennon said. “We showed great character and it was an outstanding defensive display. I told the players at half-time to back themselves, to have belief, and that’s what they did.”

The one key problem Lennon, or whoever succeeds Tony Mowbray before the start of next season, will have is that the architect of almost everything positive at Celtic now almost certainly will not be around to help out. Keane has now scored a dozen goals in as many games and has solved what had become a problem at Celtic over the last year by converting spot-kicks. Keane has virtually ruled out staying in Glasgow beyond this campaign although Lennon said: “He is a class player, he’s brilliant,” Lennon said of Keane. “Whether we can keep him here, we will see. We’ll keep working at it.”

Hibernian, whose season is petering out after a promising start, opened brightly and forced Lukasz Zaluska into two fine saves within the first six minutes. Zaluska had replaced Artur Boruc as Celtic’s goalkeeper, the latter having been granted compassionate leave to return home to Poland following the death of his father.

Celtic improved after the break and there was little doubt about the decision that led to the winner. Anthony Stokes clumsily upended Aiden McGeady and Keane coolly did the rest from 12 yards. Hibs’ best attempt came when Derek Riordan lashed a 30-yard volley against the crossbar.

HIBERNIAN: Stack, Thicot, Bamba, Murray, McCormack, Cregg, Miller, Rankin (Benjelloun 78), Riordan (Galbraith 77), Stokes, Nish (Gow 88). Subs not used: Smith, Stevenson, Byrne, Taggart. Booked: Miller, Thicot, Nish, Bamba, McCormack.

CELTIC: Zaluska, Hinkel, O’Dea, Thompson, Naylor, McGeady, N’Guemo, Brown, Fortune, Keane (Rasmussen 84), Samaras. Subs not used: Cervi, Wilson, Crosas, Ki, Braafheid, McGowan. Booked: O’Dea, N’Guemo, Fortune.

Referee: C Richmond (Scotland).