Celtic 2 - 0 Hibernian: Hibs' UEFA hopes dashed at Celtic Park

HIBS' UEFA Cup dream finally came to an end today as goals from Celtic skipper Stephen McManus and Scott McDonald robbed them of the point they needed to keep their hope of overhauling third-placed Motherwell on the final day of the season alive.

The Easter Road side went into this match knowing they needed at least a draw to keep their UEFA Cup hopes alive after third-placed Motherwell's win over Aberdeen at Fir Park.

But McManus struck in the 37th minute to maintain Celtic's own aspirations of retaining their SPL title.

Hibs were dealt a further blow when Martin Canning was sent off for a second bookable offence with seven minutes remaining and Celtic took full advantage of their numerical superiority as McDonald nipped in at the back post to head home a second.

And deep into added-on time Hibs were reduced to nine men as Ian Murray earned a straight red card for a blatant trip on Aiden McGeady.

Hibs began with the 4-5-1 formation which served them so well against Rangers last Sunday, boss Mixu Paatelainen's clear intention being to frustrate Celtic and hit on the break, a tactic which showed considerable promise in the opening minutes as Steven Fletcher sent a glancing header wide before Hoops goalkeeper Artur Boruc was forced to race from his area to clear as Ross Campbell threatened to get on the end of a through ball.

And then Boruc was forced to beat away rising shot from Dean Shiels at his near post.

Celtic had begun unexpectedly slowly but should have gone ahead after eight minutes when Scott McDonald picked out his fellow striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink only for the big Dutchman to steer a precise header wide of target.

Andy McNeil kept Hibs on level terms when he pulled off a terrific save, diving low to his right to claw away a netbound header from Gary Caldwell as Celtic, seeking to open up a four-point gap once again on Rangers at the top of the table began to crank up the pressure.

Canning came up with a goalsaving tackle as Vennegoor of Hesselink latched onto a clever flick from McDonald but, again, it was Hibs hit-on-the-break ploy which almost paid dividends as Campbell fed the ball in to Fletcher who turned Caldwell and unleashed a dipping shot from 18 yards which Boruc was forced to turn over the bar.

Hibs were temporarily reduced to ten men after 29 minutes when Chris Hogg, returning after knee ligament damage, was forced to head to the dressingroom for attention after taking Vennegoor of Hesselink's arm across his face. Hogg returned seven minutes later, just in time to see Celtic take the lead as McManus powered home a header from Shunsuke Nakamura's corner.

The Japanese star almost doubled Celtic's lead two minutes from the interval, crashing a tremendous free-kick from 30 yards off McNeil's left hand post with the Hibs goalkeeper beaten.

McDonald should have made it two for Celtic in the 47th minute as Nakamura's clever pass left him with only McNeil to beat. The little Aussie rounded the Hibs goalkeeper only to see his shot taken off the line by Ian Murray. The ball fell kindly for the former Motherwell striker but with team-mates in support he elected to shoot for the near post only for Murray to block again.

Nakamura himself again went close to increasing Celtic's lead with another terrific free-kick but on this occasion McNeil, at full stretch, managed to push the ball round the post.

For their part, Hibs were continuing to knock the ball around neatly enough but with Fletcher operating as a lone striker they were rarely unable to create the openings they had enjoyed in the early phases of the game with Celtic well aware of the danger conceding a goal would bring to their SPL title hopes.

And Hibs almost grabbed that Euro lifeline in the 66th minute when Rob Jones, beyond the back post, headed John Rankin's corner back across goal. Guillaume Beuzelin got his boot to the ball but Boruc was once again able to get his hands to it as it threatened to creep in under his bar.

Boruc once more came to his team's rescue as Hibs substitute Clayton Donaldson, with his first touch of the ball, drove in a right-footed shot which the big Pole just managed to scramble round his right hand post.

Hibs hopes of taking that vital point all but disappeared as Canning, having already been booked for a foul on McGeady, was red carded by referee Dougie McDonald after going in with his studs showing on Robson who, to his credit, immediately jumped back to his feet.

Celtic, however, put the game beyond Hibs in the 87th minute as McDonald stole in at the back post to nod home a second goal before Murray joined Canning for an early bath, the second time in three games Hibs have had two players sent off in a match.