| Match Pictures | Matches: 2003 – 2004 | 2003-2004 Pictures |
Trivia
- Stephen McManus makes his home debut.
- An injury time goal extended Celtic's long unbeaten run on home soil after Hearts had looked on course for a victory.
- Pressley and Hartley line up for Hearts.
- Liam Miller is jeered when he appears as a sub after signing pre-contract at Man Utd.
- Wim Jansen returns from Holland to watch from the stand.
Review
Celtic began to find their attacking rhythm but Hearts stood firm with skipper Steven Pressley and Patrick Kisnorbo both making vital blocks to deny Agathe and then Stephen Pearson. Hearts went in front after 21 minutes when Kevin McKenna drilled home a lose ball. A Weir shot from the edge of the box struck Stanislav Varga and following up was McKenna to crash a first-time shot past Marshall into the bottom corner. Going behind sparked Celtic into life and Kisnorbo had to block Sutton's drive before keeper Craig Gordon was forced to stop Agathe's effort from inside the box after more Celtic pressure. Celtic threatened in the 41st minute when Alan Thompson floated the ball into the box and Stanislav Varga rose to head over from six yards.
The home crowd were stunned after 78 minutes when substitute de Vries turned smartly on the edge of the penalty box and swept the ball home. Larsson had a shot blocked by Gordon then hit the rebound into the side-netting from an acute angle.
Celtic clawed a goal back two minutes from time when Sutton broke through and had the composure to slot home after Gordon had saved his initial effort.
Celtic thought they had snatched the equaliser moments later when Robbie Neilson cleared Larsson's header off the line and into the hands of Gordon.
In a frantic close the the game Agathe was on hand to blast high into the net after Varga had flicked the ball into the six yard area.
Teams
Celtic:-
Marshall, McManus (Petrov 71), Varga, Balde, McNamara, Agathe, Lambert, Pearson (Miller 71), Thompson, Larsson, Sutton.
Subs not used:- McGovern, Beattie, Smith.
Goals:- Sutton 88, Agathe 90.
Hearts:-
Gordon, Maybury, Pressley, McKenna (de Vries 75), Kisnorbo, Severin, MacFarlane, Hartley, Neilson, Weir (Berra 90), Janczyk.
Subs not used:- Moilanen, Wyness, Kirk.
Goals:- McKenna 21, De Vries 78
Referee:- D McDonald
Attendance:
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)