Martin O’Neill had predicted a tough game at Easter Road against Hibernian, and that’s what transpired although, in the end, his Celtic side took all three points with a well-deserved 2-1 victory.

The goals came from Daizen Maeda in the first-half and substitute Kelechi Iheanacho late in the second-half, and the victory puts Celtic joint top of the Premiership table ahead on Monday’s game at Tynecastle between Hearts and Rangers.

Speaking to Celtic TV after the game, Martin O’Neill said: “It was a big result for us. I thought we started pretty strongly, we got good possession, we made a couple of really good chances, which we spurned, but we finally got in front.

“Overall, I’m naturally delighted to have won the game, that’s the most important thing, but we made it really difficult for ourselves, particularly in the second-half.

'We finally forced the goal – Iheanacho scored the goal, which was delightful, and it wins the game for us.'

“Sometimes it’s really difficult when you’re coming off the bench.

"First of all, you have to try and get into the game, secondly, something might fall to you, but he showed great composure because the ball took an age to come down, and he still put it in the net as only he can do.

“We won today, so whatever result happens tomorrow, it happens. We’re just going to get ourselves physically prepared for the derby and mentally prepared for the game.”

Manager: Easter Road win was a big result for us