Hearts’ head coach, Derek McInnes, desperately wanted a positive result at Celtic Park after a recent dip in form and his men delivered.
Their 2-1 victory came with a backs-to-the-wall display at rain-soaked Parkhead and leaves the Men in Maroon clear of their rivals.
Celtic, of course, have a game in hand, but McInnes (pictured) said: “There was loads that I liked about my team (at Celtic).”
Claudio Braga’s goal just before the beak gave the Jambos something to hang on to and Oisin McEntee’s stunning strike for the second was complemented by stout defence.
McInnes told BBC Sport Scotland: “We adapted to Celtic throwing two strikers on. We defended the box brilliantly apart from two moments when Engles hits off the bar and the goal from Tierney.”
The former Aberdeen and Kilmarnock boss added: “The players should not doubt themselves. To beat Celtic home and away takes a lot of doing.”
His opposite number, Wilfred Nancy, said: “I was pleased with the mentality. The performance was really interesting. Defensively, we were really good but we missed a few opportunities.”
