On This Day back in 2018, Celtic played Hearts at Murrayfield in Edinburgh for a place in the Scottish League Cup final at Hampden Park. Celtic were riding high on the crest of the Brendan Rodgers wave, just months before his midnight flit to Leicester City in the February of 2019. The Hoops would go on to win the League Cup in December against Derek McInnes Aberdeen, with the very same Ryan Christie who burst onto the scene in the semis versus Hearts, scoring the Cup-winning goal.
Celtic had made a habit of winning at Hampden Park during the tenure of Rodgers. Scotland’s national stadium was almost like a home from home for a few years during the mid to late 2010’s. This particular game would only be different because it was played at Murrayfield, with Celtic running out 3-0 winners in the end.
Goals from Sinclair, Forrest and new-kid on the block, Christie would ensure another cup final was awaiting the support in the winter of 2018. Scotty Sinclair stepped up to put the Bhoys ahead from the spot with a perfectly executed penalty that gave the Hearts goalkeeper no chance. Unfortunately for Ebouè Kouassi his strong performance in a Celtic shirt would not last as he sustained a groin injury – paving the way for the Highlander, Ryan Christie to enter the fray on that cold October day.
Christie’s determination and general buzz enthused the Celtic support and the team, as his shot at goal was fumbled by the beleaguered Zdenek Zlamal, who could only push the ball into the on-rushing winger, James Forrest, who made no mistake from a few yards out. Then, Christie himself would truly announce himself as a Celtic player when he scored a sensational strike which floated into the top corner of the Hearts goal, leaving the Edinburgh club with a familiar feeling of loss at the hands of the mighty Glasgow Celtic.
A memorable day in the recent history of our Club, and a timely reminder of what Ryan has given up to earn more money at a provincial footballing institution.
Watch the highlights of that day on 28 October 2018 below…
Paul Gillespie
28th October 2018, Celtic beat Hearts 3:0 at Murrayfield in the League Cup semi-final.
Sinclair, Forrest and Christie. @Scotty_Sinclair pic.twitter.com/TaC5VBW51K
— Li’l Ze (@LilZe_7) October 27, 2021
