Boruc blunder hands Hibs victory

A tight game at Easter Road burst into life 10 minutes into the second half when John Rankin's speculative effort from 45 yards slipped out of Boruc's grasp and into the net.

Celtic raised the tempo but Colin Nish sealed Hibernian's victory following a slick break in the 69th minute.

Steven Thicot and Shaun Maloney had long-range efforts comfortably saved in the early stages, but the first quarter was devoid of goalmouth action.

Hibs created their first chance in the 29th minute but Steven Fletcher was off target after rounding Boruc outside the box.

John Rankin had played a superb ball over the top after a tidy piece of skill on the right, but Fletcher was forced wide by Boruc and he shot high and wide as a defender ran back to cover.

The match exploded into life when Rankin's ambitious 45-yard strike somehow bounced underneath the grasp of Boruc and into the net.

Celtic tried to respond and Scott McDonald headed over from a right-wing cross by Georgios Samaras, who had replaced Cillian Sheridan just before the goal.

The home side went two ahead in the 69th minute when Nish scored from close range. Fletcher released Alan O'Brien through the left channel, he rounded Boruc before pulling the ball back to the far post where Rankin's volley was diverted past the Celtic keeper by the big striker.

Celtic again pushed forward but they were already looking like a beaten team and Yves Ma-Kalambay saved comfortably from a Samaras header and McDonald could not turn Andreas Hinkel's low cross beyond the near post.