'The scriptwriters have done me over' - Celtic's Grant on 'weird' return to Hibs

Weird. Strange. A rollercoaster.

Just some of the words a relieved Grant Scott used after a game he was "glad to get out of the way" was won by his side.

His first game as Celtic head coach should have been a cause for celebration, but the strange three weeks which have proceeded it made it more than peculiar.

On 21 December, Scott welcomed the Glasgow club to Meadowbank as Hibs boss - in the knowledge he was likely to imminently join them as manager.

The following day, he did just that after Elena Sadiku left for BK Hacken on the back of Celtic's 2-1 win in Edinburgh against the SWPL champions.

Scott was replaced at Hibs the next day by his former captain and assistant, Joelle Murray before the winter break started.

Their first game in their respective new positions? Hibs v Celtic in the fourth round of the women's Scottish Cup.

"I think the scriptwriters have done me over there a little bit," Scott said.

It was understandably impossible for Scott to hide and play down the impact the last few weeks have had in the aftermath of Celtic's thrilling 3-2 win in Edinburgh.

Having rushed in to a two-goal lead through Scotland international Emma Lawton and Morgan Cross, Scott would have been forgiven for breathing a little easier at the break.

But Hibs struck twice early in the second half through Scott's signing, Tiree Burchill, and Eilidh Adams to pull level within five minutes of the restart.

Maria McAneny restored the visitors' lead two minutes later, but late Hibs pressure made it far from an easy first outing for an already "emotional" Scott.

"I'm glad this one's out of the way," the head coach told BBC Scotland after his debut in the Celtic dugout. "It's been a strange time, a bit of a rollercoaster.

"There were a lot of emotions involved in making the departure initially and being involved in that final game probably knowing what was coming.

"Then, trying to control those emotions today to just make sure the players were focused on the game, rather than anything else that was going on."

And there was plenty going on.

For Murray, this was yet another monumental moment in her magnificent career with Hibs.

The club's record-appearance maker, who won two leagues, seven Scottish Cups and five League Cups during her illustrious 21-year playing career, added another winner's medal as assistant to Scott in last season's league win.

So often seen as a pair, whether as captain and head coach - as they were during Scott's first spell when they won three domestic cups - or assistant and boss, it was "weird" for both to look across the touchline and see each other.

"We spoke just before kick-off and said how weird it was," Murray explained after her "proud but disappointing" first game in charge.

"But it's probably one of those ones where it comes so quick, you want that because you'd always be looking for it if it wasn't today."

"I'm a massive Joelle fan," Scott added. "I think she's got a brilliant future ahead.

"I've said far too many nice things about her over the years, but we'll still be pals after these games, because I have a lot of respect for Jo, she was a brilliant introduction to the coaching staff.

"But aye, that's the first one done, I'm delighted we've progressed and come through unscathed, so we'll move on to the next one."