Instant Celtic analysis as Oh steals the show in Hibs canter

A brace from Oh Hyeon-gyu and a goal apiece from Matt O'Riley - his eighth of the season - and a penalty from Luis Palma had the champions on easy street after just 55 minutes.

Christian Doidge pulled one back for the capital club on 72 minutes but it offered the merest crumb of consolation.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers sprung a major surprise in his starting line-up as Tomoki Iwata, Mikey Johnston and Oh all started against the Edinburgh men with David Turnbull, Yang Hyun-Jun and Kyogo Furuhashi all dropping out.

The Northern Irishman admitted after Sunday's 3-1 win against St Johnstone in Perth that the first 45 minutes from his side had made him the 'angriest he had ever been in his managerial career'.

There was no such fury from Rodgers tonight as his charges turned on the style and went through the gears as Nick Montgomery's side simply had no answer to a rampant display from the home team who cruised to victory.

Oh finally making his mark as the main man

What a vote of confidence the manager gave Oh Hyeon-gyu as he gave the Korean striker the nod to lead the line against Hibs in place of Kyogo. The attacker made an excellent impact as a second half substitute in Perth during Sunday's victory and the 22-year-old made his presence felt after just five minutes when he diverted Cameron Carter-Vickers effort into the net from close range. It was the striker's fourth goal of the campaign and it set the tempo for a relentless first half from the hosts as it was one-way traffic towards the Hibs goal. He should have buried his second when he peeled of his marker and failed to steer home Alistair Johnston's cross on the slide. He finally claimed his second on 55 minutes when he showed great strength and slotted home with aplomb for a great striker's finish. Oh showed his boss what he was all about and he lead the line superbly well all evening. His hold up play was excellent and he was a real nuisance and thorn in the flesh of Hibs defence and he also showed that he had the predatory instinct to be in the right place at the right time to bag the important opening goal. He carries a real goal threat and based on this display he certainly can be trusted to step into Kyogo's shoes whenever Rodgers requires him to do a service. Are you watching Jurgen Klinsmann?

Tony Haggerty

Impressive Iwata

After a positive cameo against St Johnstone, the case for Iwata’s inclusion seemed to intensify. Even more so, given Rodgers’ comments on both him and Mikey Johnston potentially starting games in Monday’s press conference. Alas, he was given his big chance this evening, having been deployed as the deepest midfielder in the three, with McGregor playing his old role as the number eight. Iwata brings a quiet authority to proceedings as Celtic’s defensive option in the engine room, thanks to his capabilities as an auxiliary central defender when required. He had a quiet but effective first half, sweeping up danger before it found its way to the defenders on the park, and his passing was crisp and accurate. Effective in one-vs-one duels, Iwata’s opening 45 minutes went by without a hitch, despite other players deployed further up the park perhaps having more eye-catching performances in that period. He was similarly impressive in the second half, although he again was playing a supporting role with regard to facilitating the players causing all the damage further forward. He can be happy with his efforts, as he played his part in what was an impressive victory at Celtic Park for the home side.

Ryan McGinlay

Palma puts himself on the spot and earns redemption shot

The Honduran winger set the tone for the evening with a fantastic early delivery from a corner after five minutes which was converted by Oh. He then sent over a sumptuous cross from the left for O'Riley to plant a superb header to make it 2-0.  Five minutes into the second half he then pulled rank over Oh and grabbed the ball after Celtic had been awarded a spot-kick. There was no messing this time after he had missed from 12 yards against Motherwell. He had clearly learned his lesson as there was no staggered run-up this time as he produced a confident and clean strike that rose high into the centre of the net. Palma's penalty redemption had been completed and he will be back on spot-kick duty for the time being at least. 

Tony Haggerty

Time for Tilio

Thanks to the game effectively being over as a contest after 60 minutes, it gave Rodgers the perfect opportunity to shuffle the pack and introduce some players off of the bench. One of those was that of Tilio, who made his second appearance for the club since his summer arrival from Melbourne City. A step up from the seven minutes he was afforded against Motherwell, this time he was given 25 to build up his Celtic portfolio in front of the home support. What immediately strikes you is his diminutive stature, easily the smallest outfield player on the field. Clearly lacking in match fitness, his teammates tried to feed him the ball at every opportunity, though it must be noted that the game dropped in tempo, which led to Hibs’ goal in the process. He had a nice passage of play towards the end where he beat his marker and distributed to O’Riley, which showed both his directness and speed when dribbling with the ball at his feet. More is to come for sure from the young Australian winger, but he has something to offer. When that will be is the real question, with players such as Liel Abada and Daizen Maeda close to a return. Patience is a virtue, as the winger will have to find out the hard way. Fortunately for Tilio, time is on his side.

Ryan McGinlay

Celtic's Sunday sinners revert to being Saints as the hosts turn on the style

The Northern Irishman handed starts to the three impactful substitutes from Perth as he mixed up his team selection. It's fair to say that Oh, Iwata and Johnston certainly didn't let their manager down. Rodgers revealed that he gave his players what for after a brutal first half showing and vowed that his side would make a quick start in this one and they did exactly that. The champions were two to the good after a slick 45 minutes against the capital club courtesy of two goals from Oh and O'Riley with his eighth goal of the season. Celtic went through the gears in the opening period as they got the ball out wide to Palma and Johnston and got telling crosses into the box from which O'Riley profited from. The stern words of the manager may still have been ringing in some of the players' ears as they took to the field in this match and the players certainly got the message as they served up an entertaining 90 minutes which saw Celtic worthy winners. The game was dead and buried five minutes into the second half as Palma netted the third from the penalty spot. It was the exact reaction and response that Rodgers would have craved from his men.

Tony Haggerty