Hearts v Celtic at Tynecastle, midweek and under the floodlights is always a special atmosphere which normally culminates in a very entertaining match, and this game was no different.
This game had a particular importance considering Hearts’ strong home form this season and Celtic’s need to avoid losing further ground on Rangers in the title race.
It was two years to the day when Liam Boyce marked his Hearts’ debut with a dramatic winner over Rangers and Ellis Simms was hoping for a similar impact off the bench, having signed on loan from Everton earlier in the day.
As for Celtic, they were missing a number of players through injury and international commitments but had a debutant of their own in midfielder Matt O’Reilly.
The roof almost came off Tynecastle after just thirty seconds when Reo Hatate gave the ball straight to Boyce, he found McKay, but the former Rangers man curled an effort just over the bar.
Up the other end, another mistake almost led to the opening goal. This time Josh Ginnelly wanted too much time on the ball, his pocket was picked and O’Riley’s effort was blocked by Souttar.
An emotional moment was observed on the 13th minute, play was stopped to remember young Hearts fan, Devin Gordon who sadly died last week, aged 13.
Both sides warmed up in tops to raise awareness of suicide and mental health.
After a nervy opening ten minutes, Celtic were growing into the game and were spraying the ball around nicely. At the heart of this was Jota, the Portuguese winger was giving Michael Smith a horrible time on the left. Twice, he came close to opening the scoring but was denied by a combination of Gordon and the side-netting.
Hearts were forced into an early sub when Michael Smith was forced off, Nathaniel Atkinson replaced him for his home debut.
The home side were really struggling to get out their half and the visitors took a deserved lead after 26 minutes. Atkinson was punished for giving the ball away to Hatate, who’s effort from distance went through Gordon to silence the majority of Tynecastle.
Celtic’s intense pressing was too much for Hearts and at the half hour mark the Jambos were just struggling to stay in the game.
Something they failed to do, just like when Rangers visited Tynecastle earlier in the season, Hearts found themselves two down early on. Giakoumakis turned in O’Riley’s cross to put the Hoops on easy street, however replays showed the Greek was in an offside position to do so.
The hosts made three changes within ten minutes of the restart in the hope of getting themselves back into the game. Josh Ginnelly was replaced by debutant Simms, there was a welcome return to action for Beni Baningime and Gary Mackay-Steven replaced Alex Cochrane.
Celtic boss, Ange Postecoglou replaced Jota on the hour mark, perhaps thinking the game was over and two minutes later he might’ve wished he’d kept his tricky winger on the field.
Hearts’ very own creator, Barrie McKay had been non-existent in the game so far, but he managed to find Boyce in the penalty box, the striker looked offside, but he didn’t concern himself with that and slid the ball through Joe Hart’s legs and suddenly Tynecastle had found it’s voice again.
The atmosphere was reaching boiling point at this point and Tynecastle erupted again when O’Riley was penalised for a handball, giving Boyce the opportunity to level the scores. Joe Hart was sent the wrong way, but unfortunately for the Northern Irishman his effort came back off the post, as Celtic survived a massive scare.
Craig Halkett was forced off after 79 minutes and the reaction on the defender’s face would suggest it was a serious one, he was replaced by Andy Halliday.
The Jambos huffed and puffed in the final ten minutes, plus the additional six minutes of stoppage time but failed to find an equaliser. The result moves Celtic twelve points clear of Hearts and they remain four behind Rangers.
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