The wee Hibees comfortably dispatched Celtic 5-0 at HTC on Friday evening.
A brace of first half goals from Dean Cleland and Rudi Molotnikov put Hibs in a comfortable position before Harry Wright ensured the victory for the wee Hibees.
Hibs started the match as they meant to go on putting the Celtic defence under all sorts of pressure early doors.
The wee Hibees almost had an early lead as Jacob MacIntyre’s delivery into the box found Reuben McAllister at the back post.
McAllister chipped a pass into the area which found the head of Dean Cleland, but his attempt came back off the post as Celtic survived an early scare.
Hibs got the goal their play merited in the 8th minute as Rory Whittaker played an inch perfect cross into the area for Dean Cleland, who managed to outmuscle the Celtic defence to net past the Celtic goalkeeper.
It took only a matter of minutes for Hibs to double their lead with Josh Landers taking full advantage of some slack passing from a Celtic defender as he burst forward. Landers’ perseverance with the ball allowed him to set up Rudi Molotnikov in the box, who calmly slotted the ball beyond the Celtic goalkeeper.
Celtic had their first chance on goal shortly after that. A cross field pass into the box by Kalvin Bennett found Calvin Keenan in the area but he could only drag his effort wide.
Hibs continued to threaten as Josh Landers latched onto the ball inside the box forcing the Celtic goalkeeper into a fine save.
The wee Hibees were in full control of the game and they would add their third of the evening just before the half hour mark.
Josh Landers showed brilliant determination and effort to keep the ball in play and get past his man from a tight angle on the channel. Landers would then deliver a fine pass into the 6-yard area for Dean Cleland who would make no mistake in netting his second of the night.
Hibs were allowing the visitors absolutely no time on the ball, with Celtic having very little goal scoring opportunities.
Hibs capitalised on Celtic switching off again, this time it was Ronan Ferns who completely misjudged the flight of the ball from a throw in. Rudi Molotnikov pounced onto the loose ball before neatly finishing into the bottom corner with only one Celtic defender back covering.
Josh Landers, Dean Cleland and Rudi Molotnikov were all nuisances for the Celtic defence with the wee Hibees forcing Celtic back into their own half at every opportunity.
Celtic created a few half chances near the end of the opening 45, however, nothing was too troubling for the Hibs defence.
Seconds before the whistle blew for half-time, Hibs added a fifth as Harry Wright got in on the act.
The ball finally fell to a Hibs attacker inside the box as Wright cut inside before powerfully striking the ball past the Celtic goalkeeper.
Hibs went into the interval 5 goals to the good after a stunning first half display.
As expected, it was a quieter affair in the second half from the hosts having got the job done in the first. Celtic were allowed more time on the ball as they looked for improvement after a very disappointing display.
That saw Celtic have a few chances of their own with Robert Rachwal finding room inside the box to get an effort away but his strike went wide.
Rachwal had another opportunity to score having been one-on-one against Ryan Mallon in the Hibs net, but Mallon got a crucial touch to push it away from danger.
Celtic continued to attack in hope of pulling a goal back as a Celtic attacker rounded Ryan Mallon, however Jamie Bulloch was there to clear the ball off the line to prevent Celtic scoring.
The wee Hibees made 2 changes as Alfie Smith and Zach Bruce were introduced into play for the final 15 minutes.
Josh Landers was left to rue a perfect opportunity to add Hibs’ sixth after Alfie Smith took the ball past the Celtic goalkeeper before cutting the ball back to Launders inside the area, but he blasted the ball over the bar.
That would prove to be the last notable piece of action as the wee Hibees held out for a clean sheet and a well-deserved victory.