Anthony Stokes capitalised on an error by Hibs goalkeeper Graham Stack to fire Celtic in front after 14 minutes.Ki Sung-Yueng's low left-foot strike doubled the visitors' advantage after the break.
Stack atoned for his earlier mistake when he saved Gary Hooper's penalty but Hibs were rarely in the match.
The home side pressed in the opening 10 minutes but their delivery let them down and Celtic soon found themselves in front when Stack was caught out at a free-kick.
The keeper came off his line to collect Kris Commons's deep delivery but allowed the ball to slip through his grasp and, after the ball had fallen at the feet of Stokes, the striker found the back of the net from a tight angle.
The visitors had the ball in the net again minutes later when Mark Wilson, captaining the side in the absence of the suspended Scott Brown, stabbed the ball past Stack but the offside flag had been raised against the defender, although television replays suggested he was onside.
Hibs rallied and the physical presence of Garry O'Connor and the pace of Ivan Sproule - both beginning their second spells at Easter Road - combined to create an opening for David Wotherspoon but the midfielder could not get into the danger area in time to meet the cross.
Sproule almost got through the visiting defence early in the second half when he chased a long ball but Celtic debutant Kelvin Wilson averted the danger and Sproule's claims he was fouled were not rewarded.
Celtic stretched their lead on 63 minutes when Ki collected Stokes's pass about 25 yards from goal and leisurely slotted the ball past Stack.
The hosts looked for a quick reply and O'Connor should have done better when found by Sproule's cross, the striker missing his kick altogether.
Sproule fouled Emilio Izaguirre on the left-hand edge of the box to give Celtic a chance at a third goal but Hooper's spot-kick was well saved on to the post by Stack, who made sure the rebound was not pounced upon by an opponent.
However, the keeper's intervention failed to ignite a Hibs comeback and Ki sent a rasping drive over in the closing stages.
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Scottish Premier
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hibernian | 0-2 | Celtic | FT |
| (HT 0-1) | |||
| |||
