“Lawrence Shankland gave Hearts a shock lead against the run of play, heading home to put the away side in front just before the interval.”
Pivotal“Celtic drew level immediately through an Arne Engels penalty, converting in first-half stoppage time to restore parity before the break.”
Pivotal“Daizen Maeda broke Hearts' resistance with three minutes remaining, finishing to put Celtic ahead for the first time and effectively ending Hearts' hopes of a result.”
Pivotal“Callum Osmand added a third in stoppage time to seal the points for Celtic amid a chaotic finale that saw five yellow cards brandished around the final whistle.”
Celtic
Hearts
Outstanding performance
Celtic•AttackerCeltic were dominant for large stretches, controlling 67% of possession and completing 465 passes to Hearts' 235, but they were made to work hard for a result that looked in genuine doubt when Lawrence Shankland punished them with a header on 43 minutes. Brendan Rodgers' side responded almost immediately through an Arne Engels penalty just before half-time, and the interval prompted a wave of changes from both dugouts that altered the rhythm of the game entirely. Hearts, to their credit, pressed with 16 tackles and created 12 shots of their own, but Celtic's greater quality told in the closing stages. Daizen Maeda's 87th-minute strike flipped the contest, and substitute Callum Osmand added a third in stoppage time as the match descended into a fractious finale with five yellow cards in the last ten minutes. For Celtic, the three points keep the pressure on in the title race; for Hearts, a defensive lapse in the build-up to that penalty and an inability to hold their lead proved costly.
How entertaining was this match?
Daizen MaedaYellow CardDaizen Maeda receives a yellow card.
Michael Steinwender attempts a header but misses the shot.
Callum OsmandVAR decision confirms a goal for Callum Osmand.
Dane Murray replaces Benjamin Nygren.
Daizen MaedaDaizen Maeda takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
Claudio Braga takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Stephen Kingsley attempts a right-footed shot but misses.
Daizen Maeda takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Benjamin Nygren takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Kelechi Iheanacho takes a left-footed shot that hits the post.
Alan Forrest takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Arne Engels takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Stuart FindlayYellow CardStuart Findlay receives a yellow card.
Benjamin Nygren takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Callum Osmand comes on for Auston Trusty.
Marcelo Saracchi replaces Kieran Tierney.
Claudio Braga replaces Pierre Kabore.
Islam Chesnokov replaces Harry Milne.
Alan Forrest is substituted for Alexandros Kyziridis.
James Forrest comes on for Hyun-jun Yang.
James Forrest takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Daizen Maeda attempts a header but misses the shot.
Benjamin Nygren attempted a header, but it missed the target.
Alistair Johnston's right-footed shot is blocked.
Shot by Alexandros Kyziridis with his right foot goes wide.
Blair Spittal replaces Beni Baningime.
Substitution: Frankie Kent comes on for Jordi Altena.
Kelechi Iheanacho comes on for Sebastian Tounekti.
The first half ends with a score of 1-1.
Arne EngelsArne Engels scores with a right-footed shot.
Goal in the penalty shootout! Arne Engels scores, making it 1-1.
Lawrence ShanklandLawrence Shankland scores with a header.
Michael SteinwenderYellow CardMichael Steinwender receives a yellow card.
Pierre Kabore's left-footed shot is blocked.
Jordi Altena takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Sebastian Tounekti takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Pierre Kabore takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Lawrence Shankland takes a header, but it misses the target.
Pierre Kabore takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Auston Trusty took a header shot but missed.
Celtic Park hosts a mouthwatering Premiership clash on Saturday as third-placed Celtic take on league leaders Hearts, who hold a 10-point advantage at the summit. With Celtic needing a win to keep any slim title hopes alive, and Hearts looking to cement their dominance, this Old Firm-adjacent rivalry promises fireworks in Glasgow's East End.
