It is unlikely, if he ever plays for Celtic again, that Paolo di Canio will be appropriate to the more regimented, less adventurous style that the new head coach, Wim Jansen, appears to be instigating at a place traditionally associated with reckless aggression.
The Italian has been a maverick on and off the field and the evidence of yesterday's Scottish Premier Division opening-day set-back suggests that the Dutchman will pay more attention than his recent predecessors to the need to run a tight ship.
Celtic fans are not used to seeing their team pressed back by opponents - and especially not by Hibernian at Easter Road in recent seasons - and are unlikely to tolerate the introduction of a game which more closely resembles that which has carried Rangers to great success.
The difference yesterday was that Celtic still managed to lose goals in a way that their great rivals seldom do - at least not in domestic football. Parkhead supporters will certainly argue that, if they are to continue vulnerable at the back, they would prefer the consolation of seeing a policy of naked aggression which could bring profit at the other end.
The goal with which Hibernian took the lead after 24 minutes was something of a curiosity. Tony Rougier, the big, light-footed Trinidadian winger bought from Raith Rovers in the summer, delivered a cross from the left so tantalising that Gordon Marshall was immobilised by indecision.
Former Republic of Ireland under21 international Lee Power, however, seemed to put the ball over the line almost inadvertently, like a defender scoring an own goal. He himself seemed to take a little while to raise his arms in celebration, as if surprised by the ball deflecting from him and into the net from six yards.
Celtic were level within five minutes, but it turned out to be almost typical of their day that the goal should be scored by a defender from a set piece. Malky Mackay moved upfield and produced a fine header from Simon Donnelly's corner on the left, the ball deflecting of Willie Miller and over the line.
By the time the incomparably colourful and inventive Chic Charnley scored the winner in the 76th minute, there was no denying Hibernian's entitlement to the points, even if the winning goal did stem from a terrible blunder by Henrik Larsson.
`Helping' his defence, Larsson merely rolled the ball to Charnley, who took a few steps in from the right and drove the ball with his left from 25 yards, away to the right of Marshall.
Larsson had replaced Andreas Thom after almost an hour and looked a little lightweight and slightly lost. He, too, is probably in need of conditioning and judgment will have to be reserved.
Now Rangers, at home to Hearts tonight, have an opportunity to put Celtic, their expected most serious competitors, against the collar from the outset.
Hibernian: Gottskalksson, W Miller, Boco, Charnley, Hughes, Welsh, Dow, Power (G Miller 84), Crawford (Tosh 89), Rougier, McGinlay. Subs Not Used: Grant. Booked: Crawford, Rougier. Goals: Charnley 75, Power 24.
Celtic: Marshall, Boyd, McKinlay (Wieghorst 81), McNamara, MacKay, Stubbs, Donnelly, Burley, Johnson, Jackson, Thom (Larsson 59). Subs Not Used: Hannah. Booked: Boyd. Goals: MacKay 29. Att: 13,051.
Referee: W Young (Clarkston).
