The American came off the bench to deny Josh Mulligan a certain equaliser in first appearance since. controversial comments

Cameron Carter-Vickers was accused of putting pressure on his manager with his comments a few weeks ago.

But this time he bailed out his boss big time with a massive moment at Easter Road.

The centre back made his comeback from injury from the bench at Easter Road and did the business with a monumental block to deny Josh Mulligan when it seemed Hibs were going to nab a late leveller in the stormy clash.

Martin O’Neill was more than grateful the big man delivered – and Celtic got the three points they craved to maintain their lead at the top of the Premiership. The Hoops boss has been fighting fires of late and headed to the Capital on a run of just two wins in seven games, including three bruising European defeats and a couple of damaging Old Firm losses.

Carter-Vickers is not the kind of guy to cause unrest in the camp but his comments after the second defeat to Rangers—when he complained about Celtic’s style being a bit ‘random’ and there being a need for more clarity from the coaching staff— caused some stir.

A section of punters saw it as part of some kind of dressing room revolt – and chins were wagging when CCV wasn’t seen since. The centre back was nursing a sore hammy and was determined to make an impact when he got back.

And O’Neill was relieved to see one of those Carter-Vickers tree trunk legs stuck out at precisely the right time in Leith. The boss was glad to have him back on board and said: “Really satisfying, absolutely. Big block for us, as well, too, because it's goalbound.

“I think big Dane has done really fine, we’re just trying to get Cameron and Alistair just back into the fold again. Hopefully, if Cameron's okay, which he didn't complain about it, that'll be good news for us if he's come through that.

“Of course, we need every single body back. He seems to have come through the game okay. I’m delighted that the big players are back.”

Carter-Vickers slotted back into centre back but it was a fairly chaotic end at Easter Road after a non-even second half. Celts had roared back from an early deficit to lead but Hibs boss Marink Reedijk went for broke by chucking Grant Hanley on up top.

Alistair Johnston breaking down on his comeback meant it was Dane Murray who ended the game at right back. Carter-Vickers’ return might see Murray take a step back but the youngster has earned rave reviews from his boss – and has been tipped for a Scotland call up.

O’Neil said: “He's missed essentially two years with injury. He's got all the potential in the world to be a really fine centre back.

“You have to realise that potential, and eventually, for what he does in his career, will be entirely up to him. He has potential, and he's missed the two years.

"And I'm delighted for him, because he's a splendid character. As for Scotland? Why not, why not?”

O’Neill was asking a different question after Celts dozed off at Joe Newell’s free kick to allow Owen Erling to fire Hibs ahead after just three minutes. Josh Kerr’s own goal restored parity moments later before Camilo Duran nailed his 10th goal of the season to seal the points.

And O’Neill was just relieved his side sparked into life. He said: “We were still on the bus when Hibs scored. It's a very, very good free kick from their viewpoint, really clever. But we were just absolutely asleep for it.

“Then we score pretty much immediately, which was great for us at the time, because if we had allowed it to dwell for 10 or 15 minutes, with Hibs where they are in the league, you never know.

“And then Duran comes up with a wonder goal eventually to win the game. I didn't think at that stage that was going to be the winning goal. But yeah, seriously pleased with the win, considering everything.”

O’Neill described the victory as the best of the season, which sounded like some sugar coating but it was understandably important on the back of another miserable European experience. He said: “I think you could easily attribute that to Thursday night game and then the early start for us here and the travel.

“I just think coming here, it's difficult, regardless, as I say, of their position, I've been here many times before, never, ever had an easy game. No such thing.

“But to recover from the goal behind, considering the exertions on Thursday night, yeah, really pleased. Maybe that's why I'm saying it’s our best win. Well I said it to them and I think the players absolutely agree with that, you know?”

In contrast to Duran, Kasper Hogh is struggling big time. The big striker got a start but missed a sitter as he made it 12 games without a goal. It’s not exactly ideal for the £11m marquee signing of the summer.

O’Neill said: “He's a box player and I think the one Callum Osmand slid across the box, I think a confident Kasper would be sliding that one into the net, a bit like the second game of the season at Kilmarnock.

“Just a bit of lack of confidence at this minute, he needs a goal, and you have to fight through these things, and you have to find yourself in the side, and there's a bit of competition for places, you know?

“Particularly if really, as we've said this before, if Duran's best position would probably be at centre forward.”

Celts were just relieved there can be some calm after the storm. Defender Murray said: “It was tough. The ball is swirling in the air and you try to get in line with it but it changes at the last minute.

“It’s important to grind out the three points when the conditions are like those.”