McManus leads by example as Celtic sink Hibs

The defending champions, who have one SPL game left against Dundee United at Tannadice, put the pressure back on their Light Blue rivals although Rangers have three games remaining.

At the same time they ended Hibernian's hopes of UEFA Cup qualification.

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Robson congratulates McManus (44) after the Celtic skipper headed the opening goal

But Gordon Strachan's men were made to work for their win against an enterprising Hibs side who played some decent football as they went in search of the victory, or the point at least, needed to keep alive their hopes of European football next season.

After a good start by the visitors, McManus rose to power home a Shunsuke Nakamura corner after 36 minutes to ease the nerves.

With four minutes remaining, after Hibs defender Martin Canning was sent off after receiving the second of his two yellow cards, McDonald nodded home a Robson free-kick.

There was time left for Hibernian defender Ian Murray to be shown a straight red card for a wild foul on Aiden McGeady but by then the Leith side were down and out.

There had been a more nervy start from the home side. Keeper Artur Boruc had to foil Ross Campbell by rushing from his goals before beating away a shot from Dean Shiels for a corner which caused less panic.

The home side fought back and McDonald crossed for strike partner Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink to head just wide of the target from 16 yards, followed soon after by a Barry Robson effort from close range which went high over the bar.

Celtic were into their stride and in the 13th minute Gary Caldwell's back-post header from a Robson corner was cleared off the line by Hibs skipper Rob Jones.

As a lively game continued, McDonald then fired wide from the edge of the Hibs box.

Boruc was called into action again when he had to tip over a powerful Steven Fletcher drive from 20 yards, with the home side again defending the set-piece.

In the 26th minute Robson rose highest to meet a Shunsuke Nakamura corner but his header flew wide of the far post.

Caldwell then surrendered possession with a careless back-pass which was picked up by Filipe Morais, the ball eventually being smuggled to Shiels at the back post but his shot was blocked by McManus.

It was the beginning of a poor passage of play by the home side who took turns in giving up possession much to the frustration of the Celtic support.

But that frustration turned to cheers in the 36th minute when McManus towered above a clutch of players inside the Hibs six-yard box to power a Nakamura corner low past goalkeeper Andy McNeil.

It was perhaps harsh on the Leith side but there was almost worse to follow.

In the 43rd minute, after Jones had fouled McDonald 25 yards from goal, Nakamura beat McNeil with his curling free-kick - only to see the ball rebound off the right post before it was cleared to safety.

Celtic should have doubled their lead within two minutes of the restart when, on the counter-attack from another poor Hibs corner, Nakamura sent McDonald clear on goal.

The Australian rounded McNeil but his angled shot was blocked by Murray as was his second attempt from the rebound, the Easter Road side able to breath again, but only for a few moments.

After Jones clattered Vennegoor of Hesselink 25 yards out, McNeil was forced into a fine save from another Nakamura free-kick which looked to be creeping in at the right post.

Hibs continued to weave some pretty patterns but it was the home side who retained the real goal threat, and McDonald should have done better than blast the ball over the bar from 14 yards just before the hour mark.

McGeady came closer in the 62nd minute when he turned inside Murray at the edge of the Hibs box and drove inches over the bar.

The nerves grew as the home side struggled to add to their precarious lead, and after John Rankin's corner was headed back across goal by Jones, Guillaume Beuzelin's volley from eight yards out was brilliantly blocked by Boruc.

Then Boruc had to throw himself low to his right to save from Hibs substitute Clayton Donaldson, who had replaced Ross Campbell.

The Easter Road side knew defeat ended their UEFA Cup hopes and they piled forward looking for the crucial equaliser.

But in the 83rd minute Hibs defender Canning, already on a yellow card, was sent off after an overly robust challenge on Robson and that was the end of their European hopes.

Three minutes later a long Robson free-kick was deflected by Morais to the back post to McDonald who headed in from six yards out for his 31st goal of the season.

Then Murray was shown a straight red for a foul on McGeady to end a miserable day for Hibs, as the UEFA Cup place went to Motherwell.

Celtic still have a bigger prize in their sights.