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Celtic stretched their lead at the top of the SPL to four points with victory in this pulsating match. Headed goals by Stephen McManus and Scott McDonald separated the sides. As Hibs tired towards the end they also had two players sent off, Martin Canning for a second yellow and Ian Murray received a red card for a bad foul on Aiden McGeady.

Celtic's sixth win in a row ended Hibs' hopes of a UEFA Cup place and kept the pressure on Rangers, who have two games in hand.

Hibs attacked from the start and after Steven Fletcher's headed drifted wide, Dean Shiels powered in a powerful shot which Artur Boruc did well to parry. Play swept from end to end and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink headed past the post from ten yards and, after Andrew McNeil pushed out McGeady's shot, Barry Robson hit the rebound over. Robson should have done better than head Shunsuke Nakamura's corner wide, before Fletcher tested Boruc again with a well-struck shot which took a deflection off Gary Caldwell.

Celtic's pressure paid off when Nakamura's corner was headed home by McManus.
Nakamura went close to adding to Celtic's lead, but his free-kick came back off the post.
The frantic pace continued in the second half, a clever pass from Nakamura put McDonald through, but after rounding the keeper his shot, was cleared off the line by Murray.

With such a slender lead Celtic were always aware that one slip would undo all their good work. Boruc again produced vital saves to deny Guillaume Beuzelin and substitute Clayton Donaldson before Canning was sent off. McDonald sealed Celtic's victory when he was on his own at the back post to head Robson's corner low into the net.

There was still time for Murray to be red-carded for a foul on McGeady as the Bhoys kept up their relentless pursuit of the league title.

Bhoys manager Gordon Strachan said after the win: "It was a good game and a fitting finish to the season at Parkhead. "So I think everyone got their money's worth, although obviously we are more satisfied than Hibs. "But, trust me, it's all about the result. I've heard some rubbish since I've come here about people wanting to see stylish football and all the rest of it, but everybody wants to watch winning football." Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen added: "I felt we were a little bit blunt in front of goal, that's where you must be at you best in order to win matches.
"We are disappointed that we didn't qualify for the UEFA Cup, but when I arrived in January I felt that Motherwell and Dundee United were too far ahead of us.

"All credit to the boys, they fought tremendously hard, but unfortunately we were a little bit short."