By support

10th Dec, 2017 | 7:40pm

Brendan Rodgers heaps praise on 'exceptional' Celtic player after draw v Hibs

Brendan Rodgers has praised Hibernian midfielder John McGinn but says he has a long way to go to match Celtic skipper Scott Brown.

Rodgers’ side surrendered a two-goal lead in the final 15 minutes as Neil Lennon’s Hibs came from behind to draw 2-2 in the Scottish Premiership at Easter Road.

Celtic went ahead with two goals in the space of five second-half minutes from Scott Sinclair, but Hibs came back with two goals in three minutes from Efe Ambrose and Oli Shaw.

The hosts threatened to end Celtic’s unbeaten domestic run, which now stands at 68 matches, when Shaw had another effort cleared off the line by Mikael Lustig late on.

After the game Rodgers, praised Hibs midfielder McGinn but had no doubts over who was the best midfield player on the pitch.

“There is no contest. Scott was the exceptional midfield player on the pitch,” Rodgers told BBC Sport.

“I think John McGinn is a good player, good drive, good energy but Scott Brown is the exceptional midfield player in Scotland and he has shown that, not just in Scotland but in the Champions League.

“So he (McGinn) will have a way to go before he would be at that level.”

However, Hibernian manager Neil Lennon “totally” disagreed with Rodgers and described McGinn as “a cut above” Brown, after an intriguing midfield battle between the two players.

The result leaves Celtic five points clear of second-placed Rangers in the Scottish Premiership table and eight points ahead of fourth-placed Hibernian.

The Hoops will be looking to extend their advantage at the top of the table when they welcome ninth-placed Hamilton to Celtic Park on Wednesday evening.

In other Celtic news, Rodgers made this big claim after the draw at Easter Road.

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