Gary Hooper scored a double and missed a penalty as Celtic regained top spot in the Scottish Premier League with a 3-1 win over Hibernian at Parkhead on Wednesday.
Rangers had held the lead for the first time in 2011 thanks to their 2-0 win away to St Johnstone 24 hours previously, but a first-half onslaught against Hibs helped the Hoops reclaim their two-point advantage.
Irish international Anthony Stokes sent Celtic on their way after just three minutes before Hooper scored his first from the penalty spot in the 19th minute and then lashed in his second 20 minutes later.
David Wootherspoon won Hibs a penalty which Liam Miller converted in the 67th minute before Hooper spurned a late chance to seal his hat-trick, from the spot, after substitute Freddie Ljungberg had been upended in the box.
Celtic made three changes from the side which lost the League Cup final as Georgios Samaras, Thomas Rogne and Kris Commons made way for Stokes, Glenn Loovens and James Forrest.
Hibernian were forced into two defensive changes and their frailties at the back were soon exposed.
Stokes, in his first start since March 5, showed the Celtic fans what they had been missing when his one-two with Hooper released the Englishman for a chance within 30 seconds, but his low shot was blocked by the advancing Mark Brown.
However Celtic had only to wait another three minutes to take the lead. Emilio Izaguirre’s cross from the left evaded everyone but Stokes who sent a low angled shot past Brown for his 14th league goal of the season.
Mark Wilson’s header was cleared off the line before Celtic doubled their advantage when Hooper sent a penalty into the roof of the net in the 19th minute after Scott Brown took a tumble in the box from a Martin Scott challenge.
The Celtic onslaught continued and it was game over for Hibs in the 39th minute when Hooper got his second of the game. The impressive Stokes slipped the ball to Hooper in the box and despite being surrounded by Hibernian defenders he turned to lash a first-time effort past Brown at his near post.
Rogne replaced Loovens at the break and Derek Riordan hit a shot into the side netting before limping off for Akpo Sodje as the tempo dropped in the second-half.
Honduran international Izaguirre flashed a shot across the face of goal after a one-two with Hooper before Hibs pulled one back from the penalty spot in 67th minute. Charlie Mulgrew was penalised for a pull of Wootherspoon’s shirt as he went past him and former Celtic player Miller sent Fraser Forster the wrong way with a low strike from 12 yards.
Former Arsenal player Ljungberg came off the bench for his first appearance since the end of January and won Celtic a penalty within two minutes of his introduction when he was brought down by Paul Hanlon.
Hooper stepped up looking for a hat-trick but sent his second spot-kick of the night wide.
They are the current leading soccer tipsters in this month competition. See also tipsters rankings.
![]() |
eLDonkay
posts a 1X2 tip on JKT Tanzania vs Young Africans 7 minutes ago |
![]() |
eLDonkay
posts a 1X2 tip on Al-Ain vs NEOM SC 7 minutes ago |
![]() |
eLDonkay
posts a 1X2 tip on Jeddah vs Al Batin 7 minutes ago |
![]() |
eLDonkay
posts a 1X2 tip on Al Ittihad vs Al Ittifaq Maqaba 7 minutes ago |
![]() |
eLDonkay
posts a 1X2 tip on Trabzonspor vs Eyüpspor 7 minutes ago |
![]() |
eLDonkay
posts a 1X2 tip on USM Alger vs NC Magra 7 minutes ago |
![]() |
eLDonkay
posts a 1X2 tip on UTA Arad vs CFR Cluj 7 minutes ago |
![]() |
eLDonkay
posts a 1X2 tip on Inter vs Fiorentina 7 minutes ago |
![]() |
Walexz63
posts a 1X2 tip on Khorfakkan U23 vs Al Wahda U23 9 minutes ago |
![]() |
Walexz63
posts a 1X2 tip on Al Wasl U23 vs Dibba Al Hisn U23 9 minutes ago |
Upcoming football matches with excellent head to head records over their opponents.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs who play better for their home games H2H.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs that play well for their away games.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Motivated teams after winning five matches in a row or they have maintained a ten-match unbeaten run. The bookmakers label them as favourites for a reason.
Teams in crisis after five consecutive defeats or they did not win their last ten football matches. You should avoid betting on these underdogs.
Teams having a draw in the last five matches.
Teams that have not lost at home matches.
|
Sign in to view more football teams.
This tipsters ranking is based on single picks excluding doubles and multi accumulators. For the full ranking click here.
Tipsters with consecutive winnings in their recent predictions.
Tipsters whom have lost a few matches in a row. Bad luck you call it.
It makes my analysis of odds sharp, and it also keeps me closer to what is happening in terms of results. What I hope I will benefit is the skill to always makes a profit in gambling
From as little as $1 per soccer tip.
|
Arbitrage is an effective way to make guaranteed profits without losing your money.
Analyze soccer matches, inclusive of past results, head to head stats, today match fixtures, live soccer odds, players and team form.
Check the latest and fastest live score results for all football matches. Know who are the goalscorers, yellow card and red card offenders.
Read up these useful tips for soccer betting.
Get the listings of soccer leagues and competitions for each region, including past seasons results and football statistics.
Want to bet on a match today? Check out the list of today match fixtures.
Read MoreGet the match results for all the soccer matches around the globe. Inclusive of half-time, full-time results.
Read MoreAre you an expert in soccer betting? Join SoccerPunter Tipsters competition to challenge against the top football tipsters and win prizes!
Read MoreCopyright © 2002-2025 SoccerPunter Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.
Be the first to comment: