Hibee History: Hard luck for Hibs

What does it take to beat the Old Firm? That was the over-riding feeling after this draw in which Hibs were denied two penalties.

Five of the ten Premier League clubs hadn't won at home at this point and, with more than half the games so far ending in draws, it seemed the majority were finding it slightly easier on opponents' grounds.

Take Hibs for instance, who drew at Motherwell and followed with this 1-1 result against Celtic at Parkhead - better results than they had managed at Easter Road.

And after this game, they ought to have been basking in the reflected satisfaction of a weekend victory.

Just as Hearts were deprived of a point a fortnight before through a bad refereeing decision, Hibs found themselves in the exact same situation. Referee John Gordon had no hesitation in pointing to the spot when John Brownlie tackled and brought down John Doyle in the box to give Kenny Dalglish an equaliser which, frankly, looked beyond this Celtic side.

But the man in charge had ignored an obvious foul on Brownlie in the first half, and, just a few minutes later, allowed Andy Lynch to obstruct Willie Murray -an offence punishable by a penalty kick. Even the BBC TV coverage of the game conveniently missed these "highlights".

It used to be said that a British boxer going to fight in America needed to win by a knock-out to gain the decision. Edinburgh teams must feel likewise playing the Old Firm in Glasgow.

The upshot of the second-half equaliser was that the Hibs' defenders were unwilling to gamble with penalty-area tackles and their earlier composure disappeared.

Hibs played smoothly at their own speed in the first half of the game and it would not be an exaggeration to say that they had Celtic reeling before half-time. Good work by Erich Schaedler enabled Tony Higgins to hit the back of the net from a Murray cross.

Kenny Dalglish showed beautiful touches but neither team had much quality in their midfield play.

Pat Stanton, a Hibs legend who had led the club to their 1972 League Cup win and switched to Celtic in September of 1976 in a swap deal which saw Jackie McNamara head for Easter Road, was most effective in the home defence especially as Lynch was roasted by Murray. On the other side, Bobby Smith gave Danny McGrain plenty to think about.

Hibs' back four were sharp and goalkeeper McDonald had one magnificent save from a Dalglish header. Only a controversial penalty has beaten him in three games.

Despite dicing with relegation, Hibs were to end the season in sixth place.