Reserve Friendly

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Lennoxtown

Celtic 1

(Oko-Flex 54 pen)

Hibernian 1

(Campbell 32)

CELTIC and Hibernian fought out a stalemate at Lennoxtown in a behind-closed-doors reserve friendly, with the Hoops coming from behind to level soon after the break.

The equaliser came from Armstrong Oko-Flex who converted from the spot after the visitors took a first-half lead following a corner.

There were chances for the Celts in the opening 10 minutes from a Lee O’Connor cross to the back post, and then when Jonathan Afolabi won the Hoops a set-piece that was hit over by Oko-Flex.

However, the visitors then came close with a headed effort that was held comfortably by Ryan Mullen in the Celtic goal before another attempt by the Edinburgh side, this time a shot by Murray, was blocked by the Hoops defence.

In the 17th minute, Celtic almost took the lead after Cameron Harper cut the ball back to Afolabi who fired in a powerful shot, but it was cleared off the line.

Then Oko-Flex sent a shot just wide of the post before Calvin Miller limped off to be replaced by Brody Paterson.

In the 32nd minute, Hibs took the lead after winning a corner and the dead ball was headed in by Campbell, and although both sides had further goalscoring opportunities before the break, the first 45 finished 1-0 to the side from the capital.

Just nine minutes after the turnaround, the scoreline was levelled when Oko-Flex slotted home from 12 yards after winning the penalty himself at the end of an attacking move.

Soon after that, Oko-Flex just missed out on a dangerous ball into the box from Harper, while Afolabi and Liam Burt also had attempts blocked.

Substitute, Daniel Arzani had a few long-range shots on goal as Celtic applied the pressure near the end of the game, while Harper and Scott Robertson also tested the Hibs keeper, but the game finished 1-1. .

Celtic: Mullen, O’Connor, Miller (Paterson 26), Church, Deas, Robertson, Harper, Mazis (McKay 46), Afolabi, Burt (Arzani 64), Oko-Flex

Subs: Hughes, McGrath, McBride, Murray

Armstrong Oko-Flex levels in reserve friendly with Hibernian