Highlights as Celtic dismantle Hearts to set up title party in Dundee

Celtic set up a title party on Wednesday night after beating Hearts 4-1 yesterday. Given Celtic’s six-point lead and +19 goal advantage over Rangers, three points would all but seal the Premiership title returning to Paradise.

Hearts took a shock lead through Ellis Simms in the third minute. However, Celtic finally found their rhythm after a slow beginning to the first half. Two goals came before half-time through Maeda and Kyogo.

Jota took the ball around the halfway line drove forward and took a heavy touch to get by a few Hearts players before sliding the ball across the box for Maeda to finish with a low shot. Hearts moaned saying Kyogo interfered with play and no doubt Neilson will moan at full time but replays indicate that the officials were correct in assessing that the Japanese striker was not interfering.

It was 2-1 shortly thereafter when Jota headed the ball back across the face of goal after a searching cross for his attacking colleague Kyogo to direct his own effort on goal. Craig Gordon clawed to prevent the ball crossing the line but the officials adjudged the ball to have crossed the line – much to the dismay of the Hearts players. They crowded Don Robertson but it was a fruitless task, the referee knew that the ball had crossed the line.

Matt O’Riley made it 3-1 in the second half. Liel Abada found Jota with a cross field switch for the Portuguese winger to play in Greg Taylor, who stood up a delightful cross for O’Riley. The January recruit showed poise and took the ball down, curling a low left footed effort into the back of the net. Gordon could’ve maybe done better but it was a well worked goal from The Scottish Champions-in waiting.

It was 4-1 and the Champagne was on ice as Giorgos Giakoumakis netted brilliantly in the dying moments. James Forrest played the Greek striker in, who laid a shot for Reo Hatate. Craig Gordon got down well to save but Forrest, who continued his run, picked the ball up on the rebound. Instead of shooting, he cut the ball back at pace for Giakoumakis who thundered the ball into the net.

Celtic can now win the title with a point at Tannadice on Wednesday night as Ange’s team travel to face Dundee United.

About Author

Born just as Celtic were stopping the Ten, Lubo98 follows Celtic home and away and helps run his local Celtic Supporters Club. He goes to all the games and is a Law Graduate. Has a particular fondness for Tom Rogic among the current Celts and both Lubo and Henrik form his earliest Celtic memories.

Comments are closed.