Weekend review: Two more points dropped as the quest for ten becomes even more shakier.

Well, we all saw it.

Another weekend and another two points dropped in the title race as the quest for ten took another twist and once again not a good one.

Celtic were the better team in the first half of a disappointing game at Easter Road and Hibs keeper Ofir Marciano made a good save from a speculative Ryan Christie effort from distance and Mo Elyounoussi missed a free header from a corner that would have been a certain goal. 

On that first 45 mins evidence, there was only going to be one winner but alas in the second period Celtic conspired to prove otherwise. 

On 52 minutes Scott Brown’s poor season continued as he unnecessarily clattered into the back of Martin Boyle – who was in a completely unthreatening position with his back to goal at the edge of the box on the byline – resulting in a penalty. 

The red hot Kevin Nisbet stepped up to convert but was denied by Scott Bain only for Jamie Murphy to lash in the rebound as Nir Bitton and Jeremie Frimpong stood rooted to the spot. 

Only seven minutes later it got worse as an uncontested Murphy header released Nisbet and this time he did score with a fine finish across Bain displaying the sort of predatory instincts that have been sorely lacking in hoops this season. 

You feared the roof would fall in but we pulled a point at least out of the fire with sub Odsonne Edouard converting a penalty on 79 mins after Paul McGinn fell afoul of the new handball rule. 

Then in the depths of injury time, Diego Laxalt scored his first goal for the club as he nearly ripped the roof of the net out with a howitzer after the ball had broken free in the box after a corner. 

Usually, a late salvaged draw like that feels like a win but not when you are miles behind the league leaders and literally need to win every game from here to May.

Instead, the pressure once again piled onto manager Neil Lennon who persisted on a one-up front formation that clearly isn’t working. 

Albian Ajeti cut a forlorn figure as the lone striker and it’s obvious isn’t suited to the solitary forward role. 

Odsonne Edouard hit two goals in midweek for the French under 21s but was left on the bench until 58 mins.

These sort of decisions from the manager feel like déjà vu.

Things got worse on Sunday as Rangers hammered a pitiful Aberdeen side 4-0 at Ibrox and maintain their unbeaten league record stretching their advantage over us to 11 points with a +17 goal difference advantage.

To be in this predicament in November is, to be honest quite unbelievable and we now have a mountain to climb.

We do of course have two games in hand and yes there are still three games to play with Rangers not to mention the fact we now face a long run of mostly home games whilst they will be on the road for the best part until the new year. 

But to be at the stage where we are needing them to drop points and we can’t afford another slip with six months of the season left is quite frankly astounding when you consider how important this season is. 

All sorts of rumours are flying around with talk of Martin O’Neill, Roy Keane and even Gordon Strachan returning in some capacity. 

None of them are particularly inspiring.

None of it matters though as what it comes down to is a need to win games. 

Preview of Thursdays away Europe League encounter with Sparta Prague to follow.