Celtic Vs Hibernian — celtic vs hibernian: Scottish Premiership updates & match report
celtic vs hibernian is the headline fixture at Celtic Park as Celtic look to recover from a heavy European defeat and Hibernian travel in encouraging form. What happens on the pitch has immediate consequences for the title race and the battle for the final European place.
Celtic Vs Hibernian: date, kick-off, broadcast and odds
The Scottish Premiership match takes place at Celtic Park, Glasgow, on Sunday, February 22, 2026, with kick-off at 3pm ET. The game has not been selected for live TV broadcast in the UK and there is currently no option to live stream the match in the UK. Highlights will be shown on Sportscene at 7: 15pm ET with a repeat at 10: 25pm ET. Club channels will carry the match to international subscribers based outside the UK and Ireland. Betting odds in the build-up list Celtic 12/25, Draw 4/1 and Hibs 29/5.
Team news: Celtic injuries, returns and European hangover
Celtic arrive under pressure after a 4-1 defeat by Stuttgart on Thursday, a result that all but ended their hopes of reaching the Europa League last 16 ahead of the knockout play-off round second leg in Germany next week. The defending champions sit third in the table, six points behind leaders Hearts and one point behind Rangers, with a game in hand on both clubs. Manager Martin O’Neill’s side remain unbeaten in 14 domestic matches under him this season, but have relied on injury-time goals in each of their last three games to avoid defeat to Dundee in the Scottish Cup and to secure victories over Livingston and Kilmarnock in the league.
Celtic are missing Arne Engels (leg), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Jota (knee) and Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand (both hamstring). The squad does welcome back several players who are not in their European squad, including marquee signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Hibs squad updates and the chase for Europe
Fifth-placed Hibs have been inconsistent but travel to Glasgow in a positive mood after a 2-0 home win over St Mirren last weekend. Head coach David Gray said it had been a long time coming, noting that this season is the second time his side have been to Celtic Park and not lost, and that the win was "a massive three points" on the back of last week's positive result. Gray added that Hibs are five points behind Motherwell, still have to play Motherwell twice, and that there is everything to play for until the end of the season.
Hibs defender Munashe Garananga returns after an ankle issue and Joe Newell is back in contention. Josh Mulligan (ankle), Jordan Obita, Grant Hanley (both hamstring) and Chris Cadden remain out. David Gray’s side claimed a point at Celtic Park with a goalless draw on their previous visit in September and lost 2-1 at Easter Road in November; a statement victory would strengthen their bid to chase Motherwell for the final European spot.
Title race reshaped after domestic surprises
Domestic results have altered the picture: Celtic were beaten at home in recent action while Rangers drew away to the league's bottom side. Motherwell won emphatically and Hearts also won, increasing pressure on both Glasgow clubs. Next week Hearts are at home against Aberdeen and Motherwell are at home against Dundee United. If Motherwell win in that sequence they would go one point behind Celtic and three behind Rangers before Celtic and Rangers play each other the following day. Commentators noted it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Motherwell could finish above Celtic or Rangers — possibly both — and that Celtic and Rangers could find themselves third and fourth in the table.
Reactions: David Gray, Michael Stewart and supporter criticism
David Gray said the result showed his side are capable when they go toe-to-toe and that it requires every man to be at his best. He emphasised progress is about improving one game at a time. Michael Stewart, the former Hearts and Hibs midfielder, highlighted that Motherwell’s emphatic win and Hearts’ victory had applied fresh pressure and suggested the Glasgow clubs had buckled under that pressure.
There was also sharp criticism aimed at Celtic's manager and players in the aftermath. Messages read: "Martin says we were terrific. Is he serious? Our defence is rubbish, the midfield go sideways or back and we have no one capable of scoring up front. He is deluded if he thinks that was a good performance. And don't even get me started on Trusty - what a buffoon. Seriously Martin you were not terrific, stop coming out with these platitudes, you were bang off it and you know it, if you play like that next week, wow, it will be a no contest. "
Livingston draw, Marvin Bartley and match officials
Elsewhere in the weekend programme Livingston drew 2-2; Livingston manager Marvin Bartley described a "real rollercoaster of emotions, " saying that at 2-0 up his team seemed comfortable, that the turning point was the sending off, and that his players had given him everything despite their difficult situation. Match officials for Celtic v Hibs are Matthew MacDermid as referee, with Daniel McFarlane and Chris Rae as assistant referees. Grant Irvine is on VAR duty, assisted by Ross Hardie.
