2009-12-20: Hearts 2-1 Celtic, SPL

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• Celtic go 4pts behind the huns. No excuses here, most players were rested and not played in the Thursday game v Rapid Vienna just past. Poor poor poor..
• Celtic's new white away strip being deemed as unlucky.

Review

We lost and screwed up. We went one up and looked comfortable, and then Caldwell was sent off and Hearts equalized through a penalty. Hearts scored the winner in the second half, but most belived we still had the bulk of the match yet still lost. We have to recover quick time.

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Tony Mowbray's defenders cut ground from under Celtic's title hopes
Guardian.co.uk
Tony Mowbray is watching his title quest being undermined by negligent defending and if the Celtic manager's strikers do not convert the chances laid in front of them, the danger of pick-pocketing remains.
Hearts were the grateful recipients of Celtic's carelessness, collecting three points from a match in which they were outplayed for long spells. That was more notable given the visitors played for an hour with 10 men, Gary Caldwell dismissed for the professional foul that triggered Hearts' equalising goal.
"There were plenty of positives for us but obviously the big negative is that we picked up no points," said Mowbray, who refused to single out his defenders for criticism other than an admission that he was "disappointed" with the nature of Ismaël Bouzid's winner.
An eight-day spell has prompted a potentially significant momentum shift towards Rangers in the title race. In that period, Walter Smith's team have scored 12 goals in three matches and overturned a five-point deficit with Celtic and they are now four points in front at the top of the league. Such an outcome appeared highly unlikely in the early stages here, Georgios Samaras sending Celtic in front after Scott McDonald's header had rebounded from the Hearts goalframe right to his strike partner's feet.
Caldwell's aberration proved crucial, although he was not solely to blame. The centre-half was placed in a troublesome position by his team-mate Glenn Loovens, a situation which led to Caldwell tripping Jamie Mole as he prepared to shoot. A Hearts penalty and red card for the offender for preventing a clear goalscoring opportunity were the obvious consequences, Mowbray offering no complaint after the game.
Michael Stewart converted from the spot but Celtic remained dominant. Aiden McGeady, Samaras, Loovens and Marc-Antoine Fortuné all passed up opportunities, due in part to the excellence of Marian Kello, the Hearts goalkeeper.
Bouzid was more clinical, connecting with a David Templeton cross to secure victory with a close-range header.
While January and the potential relief of a transfer window cannot come quickly enough for Mowbray, this represented a much-needed tonic for Hearts. In danger of slipping into a relegation battle before kick-off, the Edinburgh side can now look onwards and upwards. Such positive sentiment will not be prevalent in Mowbray's mind until he tries to solve the backline woes which haunt him at every turn.
Man of the match Marian Kello (Hearts)

Hearts 2-1 Celtic

BBC
By Clive Lindsay

Battling Hearts came from behind to beat unlucky Celtic and leave the Glasgow side trailing Scottish Premier League leaders Rangers by four points.

Celtic had taken the lead when Georgios Samaras poked the ball home after 21 minutes, but Michael Stewart levelled from the penalty spot 12 minutes later.

Gary Caldwell was sent off for pulling down Jamie Mole at the spot kick.

Celtic's 10 men were the better side after the break, but Ismael Bouzid headed the winner after 76 minutes.

It ended Celtic's five-game unbeaten run, which had led manager Tony Mowbray to return to his first-choice line-up, despite his second string having produced a stirring three-goal comeback to draw away to Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday.

While the visitors made seven changes, injuries denied Hearts the services of experienced African midfielders Laryea Kingston and David Obua, their places being taken by David Templeton and Bouzid.

But the young Hearts line-up signalled their intention by harassing Celtic from the kick-off and, although the visitors looked the more dangerous, it was the home side who produced the first shot on target.

Eggert Jonsson's 25-yard drive was straight down the throat of goalkeeper Artur Boruc, but Samaras inspired Celtic's response.

The Greek striker did well to drift off his marker but could only head into the arms of Marian Kello from a tight angle and then forced the goalkeeper to superbly palm wide a low drive.

Hearts perhaps ought to have taken the lead following a fine cross to the back post from Ruben Palazuelos.

Templeton fluffed his shot and, although the Hearts forward was first to react, he should have got his header over the stranded Boruc on target, although there was a defender lurking on the goal-line.

Celtic's relief turned to joy moments later and it was that man Samaras who gave them the lead.

Scott McDonald peeled away from sleepy marker Stewart to head a Barry Robson corner off the far post and Samaras was first to react and fired low into the net from eight yards.

Celtic began to dominate, but a mistake from Glenn Loovens handed Hearts the chance to level.

The Dutch international defender failed with an attempt to chest clear and, as the ball fell for Mole, Caldwell came in from behind to clip the striker's heel.

It was the slightest of touches. But, with the defender being the last man and, having given the penalty, referee Willie Collum had no choice but to give the Scotland defender his marching orders.

Stewart made amends for his role in Celtic's goal by sending Boruc the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Mowbray responded immediately, replacing midfielder Marc Crosas with defender Stephen McManus and the 10 men held out despite increasing pressure ahead of the half-time break.

Celtic came out with greater resolve and Aiden McGeady fired a drive against the post and Samaras curled an effort just wide.

The visitors ought to have taken the lead following a rare mistake from Jose Goncalves, with McDonald stealing the ball from the defender on the by-line and cutting it back to Samaras 16 yards out with the goal minus a goalkeeper.

However, the Greek rushed his chip over a couple of defenders and it lifted clear of the crossbar.

Hearts were struggling to make their extra man tell, but a superb run and curling cross from Templeton set up the Edinburgh side's second goal.

The teenager ran past Marc-Antoine Fortune, who had replaced McDonald, before finding Bouzid ghosting in at the back post to power his header home from 10 yards.

Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo immediately replaced the scorer with Marius Zaliukas while Celtic went three at the back, with Niall McGinn replacing Andreas Hinkel.

Ten-man Celtic piled on the pressure, with Kello making a fine one-handed save to parry a Samaras drive, a looping Loovens header being cleared off the line by Craig Thomson and Fortune chesting the ball down against the post then having another effort blocked by the goalkeeper.

However, Hearts held on to record their first win in three games and move up to seventh spot in the table.

Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo : "Today, there was a fantastic Celtic squad here and they played very good football, but we had also our tactical shape and this was today very important.

"The unit was the most important thing and they worked together.

"I am always unsatisfied if I see simple mistakes in the field and I saw today that some players, especially in the last 15 minutes. We lost our tactical shape in the last 15 minutes.

"But this was a nice Christmas gift for our supporters and for me."

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray : "I don't think the game changed at the penalty as I thought we were comfortable throughout and the team functioned okay today 10 against 11.

"I don't want to make any comment about officials, as we are told not to. If he thought it was a penalty and a sending off, we wave bye-bye to it and move on.

"We have to accept it and take it on the chin. The positives were that we are making chances.

"I thought Aiden McGeady was untouchable again. It was a sensational performance from him."

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8410919.stm

Published: 2009/12/20 14:21:47 GMT

© BBC 2011

Final Result
Full Time
90:00+2:39 The final whistle goes and the game is over.
90:00+1:28 Christian Nade gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Daniel Fox. Free kick taken by Daniel Fox.
90:00+0:30 Free kick awarded for a foul by Daniel Fox on Christian Nade. Craig Thomson takes the free kick.
89:58 Aiden McGeady has an effort at goal from outside the area which goes wide left of the target.
89:51 The ball is sent over by Daniel Fox, Dawid Kucharski makes a clearance.
89:26 Inswinging corner taken by Barry Robson from the right by-line, Marian Kello makes a save.
89:11 Marc-Antoine Fortune takes a shot. Marian Kello makes a save.
88:18 Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Barry Robson from the left by-line, Dawid Kucharski manages to make a clearance.
87:58 The ball is swung over by Aiden McGeady, Marc-Antoine Fortune takes a shot. Blocked by Dawid Kucharski.
87:15 Daniel Fox takes the direct free kick.
87:15 Booking David Templeton goes into the book.
87:07 Daniel Fox fouled by David Templeton, the ref awards a free kick.
86:26 Corner from the left by-line taken by Barry Robson, Glenn Loovens takes a shot. Craig Thomson makes a clearance.
84:51 Daniel Fox takes the direct free kick.
84:51 Substitution Dawid Kucharski joins the action as a substitute, replacing Jamie Mole.
84:51 Christian Nade concedes a free kick for a foul on Daniel Fox.
83:11 Barry Robson crosses the ball in from the free kick, save made by Marian Kello.
83:11 Booking Booking for Jose Goncalves for unsporting behaviour.
83:04 Jose Goncalves challenges Marc-Antoine Fortune unfairly and gives away a free kick.
82:30 Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Save by Marian Kello.
Correction – 81:19 The ball is delivered by Niall McGinn.
81:19 Christian Nade delivers the ball.
79:10 Daniel Fox takes the free kick.
79:10 Booking Booking for Eggert Jonsson for unsporting behaviour.
78:58 Foul by Eggert Jonsson on Aiden McGeady, free kick awarded.
77:50 Jamie Mole delivers the ball.
76:54 Substitution Niall McGinn is brought on as a substitute for Andreas Hinkel.
76:40 Substitution Marius Zaliukas replaces Ismael Bouzid.
75:25 Assist on the goal came from David Templeton.
75:25 GOAL – Ismael BouzidHearts 2 – 1 Celtic Ismael Bouzid scores a headed goal from close in. Hearts 2-1 Celtic.
74:42 Stephen McManus concedes a free kick for a foul on Christian Nade. Craig Thomson delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left channel, Landry N'Guemo manages to make a clearance.
73:04 Booking The referee shows Ismael Bouzid a yellow card.
70:42 Shot on goal comes in from Barry Robson from the free kick, save made by Marian Kello.
70:42 Booking The referee shows Lee Wallace a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
70:36 Free kick awarded for a foul by Lee Wallace on Aiden McGeady.
68:23 Marc-Antoine Fortune gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Marian Kello. Marian Kello takes the free kick.
67:47 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Aiden McGeady by Lee Wallace. Direct free kick taken by Glenn Loovens.
67:02 Free kick awarded for a foul by Michael Stewart on Landry N'Guemo. Artur Boruc restarts play with the free kick.
64:53 Centre by Andreas Hinkel, Marian Kello makes a save.
63:58 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Craig Thomson from the left by-line, Ruben Palazuelos takes a shot. Save made by Artur Boruc.
63:48 Lee Wallace crosses the ball, clearance made by Stephen McManus.
61:38 Substitution Marc-Antoine Fortune comes on in place of Scott McDonald.
61:06 Christian Nade has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.
60:07 Effort on goal by Georgios Samaras from just inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.
57:33 Craig Thomson takes the direct free kick.
57:33 Substitution Christian Nade comes on in place of Scott Robinson.
57:33 Booking Barry Robson is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
57:12 Barry Robson challenges Craig Thomson unfairly and gives away a free kick.
55:42 Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Barry Robson, Scott McDonald takes a shot. Marian Kello makes a save.
55:23 Corner taken by Barry Robson, clearance made by Ismael Bouzid.
55:02 Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Blocked by Ruben Palazuelos.
53:20 Barry Robson fouled by Michael Stewart, the ref awards a free kick. Centre by Barry Robson, Shot from deep inside the area by Aiden McGeady goes over the bar.
52:41 Effort from the edge of the penalty box by Georgios Samaras goes wide of the right-hand upright.
50:20 Aiden McGeady has an effort at goal from just outside the penalty box hitting the post.
47:19 The ball is sent over by Lee Wallace, Shot from deep inside the area by Jamie Mole clears the crossbar.
46:06 Andreas Hinkel fouled by Scott Robinson, the ref awards a free kick. Andreas Hinkel takes the direct free kick.
45:01 The second half has started.
Half Time
45:00+0:03 The first half comes to an end.
40:38 Stephen McManus gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Scott Robinson. Michael Stewart restarts play with the free kick.
39:57 Ruben Palazuelos has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the target.
39:50 Lee Wallace delivers the ball, clearance made by Glenn Loovens.
37:02 A cross is delivered by Lee Wallace, Stephen McManus manages to make a clearance.
35:48 The ball is delivered by Craig Thomson, clearance by Glenn Loovens.
32:02 Substitution Marc Crosas goes off and Stephen McManus comes on.
31:43 GOAL – Michael StewartHearts 1 – 1 Celtic Michael Stewart scores a placed penalty. Hearts 1-1 Celtic.
30:44 Sent off Gary Caldwell shown a red card for professional foul.
30:28 Unfair challenge on Jamie Mole by Gary Caldwell results in a Penalty.
27:22 The official flags Jamie Mole offside. Indirect free kick taken by Artur Boruc.
24:08 The ball is delivered by Lee Wallace, Gary Caldwell manages to make a clearance.
20:50 Assist on the goal came from Scott McDonald. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Barry Robson.
20:50 GOAL – Georgios SamarasHearts 0 – 1 Celtic Georgios Samaras grabs a goal from close range to the bottom right corner of the goal. Hearts 0-1 Celtic.
20:26 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Barry Robson from the right by-line,
19:09 Headed effort from deep inside the area by David Templeton misses to the left of the goal.
17:08 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Barry Robson by David Templeton. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Daniel Fox from left channel.
15:21 Corner from the left by-line taken by Barry Robson, Jose Goncalves makes a clearance.
14:59 Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Save made by Marian Kello.
14:29 Free kick awarded for a foul by David Templeton on Georgios Samaras. Direct free kick taken by Georgios Samaras.
12:32 Georgios Samaras has an effort at goal from outside the penalty area which goes wide right of the goal.
11:05 Scott Robinson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Glenn Loovens. Direct free kick taken by Artur Boruc.
10:33 Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Marian Kello makes a comfortable save.
9:55 Eggert Jonsson takes a shot. Save made by Artur Boruc.
8:13 Effort on goal by Scott McDonald from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the target.
5:13 Corner taken by Daniel Fox from the left by-line, clearance made by Ruben Palazuelos.
4:32 Corner taken left-footed by Barry Robson from the right by-line, save by Marian Kello.
3:56 The referee blows for offside against Jamie Mole. Gary Caldwell takes the indirect free kick.
2:01 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Andreas Hinkel by Ruben Palazuelos. Artur Boruc takes the free kick.
1:00 Unfair challenge on Eggert Jonsson by Barry Robson results in a free kick. Craig Thomson restarts play with the free kick.
0:43 The ball is swung over by Ruben Palazuelos, clearance made by Glenn Loovens.
0:13 Jamie Mole fouled by Daniel Fox, the ref awards a free kick. Craig Thomson delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from right wing, Landry N'Guemo makes a clearance.
0:00 The match begins.