2012-02-08: Heart of Midlotian 0-4 Celtic, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 2011 – 2012 | 2011-2012 Pictures

Trivia

• Celtic go back four points of Rangers in league winning our game in hand.
• Hearts enter this match following threats of admin due to tax losses. Rangers have more allegations of lying in court against them by BBC.
• Neil Lennon: “We were devastating. We were brilliant. We scored 4 going on 6 or 7. It’s what a Celtic team is all about.”
• Rangers lost in Scottish Cup on Sunday past, so only league for them!
• Pawel Brozek makes debut; Danny M returns to side.
• Hooper marks 50th league game with 33rd goal.
• Scott Brown making a name for himself with cracking game and goal.
• John Glass (former Celtic chairman) memorial being held coming weekend by Celtic Graves Society.

Review

(riclaroc of KDS)
I have had a headache from lunchtime today. Celtic just blew it away. 🙂

Them, and the ibuprofen.

Still, amazing performance and result. Much simpler than I expected. Many were predicting a skoosh in the pre-match thread but I wasn't so sure; it's usually a really difficult game there and with 12 wins on the bounce coming into it, I felt that the run couldn't last forever.

So pleased to be wrong! The last week or two has seen a real hunger and belief in the squad – exemplified by the desire to get the ball back when we don't have it, in the opponent's half more often than not – which is proving the big difference between us and our opponents. Having such effort and drive allows us to compete on uneven terms (i.e. to our advantage) and lets our superior skill, pace and power dominate.

Super stuff. On to the next one!

P.S. Hearts' goal controversy? Impossible to tell if it was over the line. If TV evidence is to be used, they'll have to find better angles to use than that, where posts and players get in teh way …

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Hearts v Celtic

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46 v 54

9 v 12

Articles

Hearts 0 – 4 Celtic: Celtic sweep Hearts aside to make it 13 wins in a row

The Scotsman

By ALAN PATTULLO
Published on Wednesday 8 February 2012 22:52

THE latest meeting between Hearts and Celtic once again provided much to talk about. The home side failed to recover from the blow of seeing Stephen Elliott’s second-minute header saved by goalkeeper Fraser Forster, with the ball having already appeared to have crossed the line.

Those noxious ingredients of frustration, anger and regret combined to stifle the home team’s effectiveness thereafter. A powerful Celtic side preyed on this and collected a 13th Scottish Premier League victory in succession, to go four points clear of Rangers at the summit.

The visitors did not need long to take advantage of the early let-off. They scored the opener within the same passage of play through their suddenly prolific captain Scott Brown, who has now scored four times in his last four games. Victor Wanyama made it two after 18 minutes and then Joe Ledley’s header just after the half-hour mark all but extinguished any hope of a Hearts comeback. Gary Hooper completed the scoring in the second-half.

There was, however, still much to discuss after the final whistle had sounded. Although the game had petered out in the end, it was another night of high drama at Tynecastle. It was hard to see how this clash could produce anything to match recent encounters between the teams. They left off in a cloud of drama after Hearts missed a penalty in the dying minutes of the last meeting at Parkhead. These old rivals re-commenced their duel in similarly explosive fashion and again Hearts were left to rue a missed opportunity, one which defined what occurred over the next 88 minutes.

Barely a minute had elapsed when Andrew Driver slung in a corner kick which Andy Webster headed back towards the edge of the six-yard box. Elliott had both space and time in which to head the ball into the net. He failed to connect powerfully enough, however.

Ledley and then Fraser Forster were given the chance to clear, the latter clawing the ball back off the goal-line amidst cheers from the home fans. They, understandably, felt the ball had crept in, and Elliott will know that he should have left no room for doubt.

The near-side assistant referee, Andy Tait, was left with a decision to make, and he very purposefully ran back towards the half-way line with his flag pointing firmly towards the ground as play continued, via a Mulgrew clearance.

In his defence, Tait’s view had been obstructed by several players. Rangers manager Ally McCoist accepted that it was nearly impossible to gauge whether Lee Wallace’s header had crossed the line in the Old Firm game at Parkhead in December.

Paulo Sergio, the Hearts manager, might have to concede this, too.

Play raged on, much to the disgust of the Hearts supporters and delight of those packed tighly into the away end, and under the noses of whom the drama had unfolded. These spectators were best placed to see what television pictures appeared to suggest – that the ball had squeezed over the line before Forster’s desperate intervention.

Hearts’ dismay was palpable and they allowed such an emotion to inhibit their performance. Within 60 seconds Celtic had feasted on this loss of focus. Skipper Brown continued his spate of goalscoring form after latching onto a rebound after James Forrest’s shot had been blocked by his own team-mate, Georgios Samaras.

He drilled an angled shot into the corner of Jamie MacDonald’s goal like a seasoned goal-poacher. The goal concluded a remarkable opening burst of action. While captivating, it was clearly the last thing which the Lothian & Borders Police will have wanted. The Hearts fans were left nursing a grievance and the joyous Celtic followers goaded them further. On the field, Hearts struggled to compose themselves. Brown was rampant, firing just over after a poor ball from Ryan McGowan had put Hearts under pressure. Driver was then booked after up-ending Samaras.

Hearts had clearly been rattled by both the decision not to allow the goal and Celtic’s swift response. It was no surprise, therefore, when the visitors doubled their lead after 18 minutes. Wanyama took advantge of a kind ricochet after Forrest’s shot had been blocked by a cluster of Hearts defenders. With hardly any backlift, he found the top corner of the net from ten yards.

It could very quickly have got worse for Hearts, with Marius Zaliukas almost finding his own net when cutting out a cross from Charlie Mulgrew. Hearts did concede a third just minutes later. The half hour mark had only just been passed when Celtic scored a game-ending third after a Samaras break down the left. His cross evaded MacDonald and was then headed into the empty net by Ledley.

The second half-grew to become a procession, something feared by those Hearts fans who took the opportunity provided by the half-time interval to leave the ground completely. It is a rare occasion when their team don’t give Celtic a game and here circumstances had conspired firmly against Hearts.

But they still had to be professional enough to see out the game, preferrably without letting frustration get the better of them. It was for this reason that the already booked Driver was left inside the dressing-room after the interval, though the winger had also struggled in the opening 45 minutes. Gary Glen replaced Driver.

Celtic took only 14 minutes of the second-half to score a fourth goal, from a corner after Ledley’s cross had hit a post and then been cleared behind. Hooper pounced after Wanyama’s header from Mulgrew’s corner had been blocked on the line. The similarity with the goalmouth scramble of the first minute was hard to avoid and simply deepened the anguish of those Hearts fans who had returned to their seats after the interval.

A four-goal lead offered Neil Lennon the perfect opportunity to start making ceremonial substitutions. Brown was taken off after 73 minutes, after what had been his fourth goal-scoring appearance in succession. He was given a predictably rousing send-off by the Celtic fans, who also loudly cheered the arrival of new signing Pawel Brozek, the skipper’s replacement.

The Polish striker took his place up front alongside Anthony Stokes, who had come on for Hooper. Suso Santana and Rudi Skacel were the new blood offered by Hearts.

However, the game was gone, and their influence on it proved minimal.

BBC

Celtic stretched their Scottish Premier League lead to four points with a convincing victory at Tynecastle.

Stephen Elliott's early header appeared to cross the line before it was scrambled away and Celtic broke away to open the scoring through Scott Brown.

Joe Ledley's close-range header followed Victor Wanyama's 12-yard shot to put Celtic three up at the break.

And, wiith 30 minutes remaining, Gary Hooper pounced on Wanyama's header to fire in the fourth goal.

Celtic's impressive form has taken their consecutive run of wins in the league to 13 matches, while Hearts, who were the last team to beat the leaders on SPL duty – some three months ago, remain in fourth place.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon made one change, with winger James Forrest replacing Kris Commons, who started on the bench along with new loan signing Pawel Brozek.

Hearts made three alterations with Danny Grainger, Mehdi Taouil and Andrew Driver coming in for the injured David Templeton, the suspended Ian Black and Rudi Skacel, who was named among the subs.

In a dramatic opening, Elliott looked certain to score for Hearts as he got his head on the ball inside the six yard box.

But his weak effort struck Ledley before being scooped away by keeper Fraser Forster. Television evidence later indicated that the ball had crossed the line, but referee Willie Colum waved play on.

With the stadium announcer playing music for a home goal, Forrest immediately broke away and fed Georgios Samaras inside the penalty area. The Greece striker mis-controlled the ball but Brown was well place to pick up the scraps and thunder an unstoppable shot past Jamie MacDonald.

Moments later, Brown aimed for his second with a pile-driver from 25 yards out that went over the crossbar and Marius Zaliukas repeated the feat in front of the Celtic goal.

On 20 minutes, Celtic extended their lead when Zaliukas headed out a Charlie Mulgrew corner and Forrest's strike from the edge of the penalty area was deflected on to the feet of Wanyama, who turned and delivered an inch-perfect shot into the back of the net.

Hearts were well and truly on the ropes by the time the half hour mark had passed when Samaras sprinted down the left edge of the Hearts penalty area and delivered a neat cross for Ledley to nod into an empty net from close range.

After the restart, Hearts seemed determined to try and claw back the deficit, but Celtic were just as eager to put the match beyond their hosts.

Ledley sent a hopeful shot from distance towards the Hearts goal after 55 minutes that sailed wide, then five minutes later the Welshman struck the inside of MacDonald's post before the ball was cleared.

From the resulting Mulgrew corner, Wanyama nodded down at the back post and Hooper poked the ball into the back of the net from inches out.

Hearts subsitute Suso Santana should have done better with a shot that Taouil set up from the byline, but the Spaniard scuffed his shot wide of the mark from near the penalty spot.

With 10 minutes remaining, Samaras was denied by MacDonald with a powerful drive from 25 yards out, then an Anthony Stokes free-kick from 30 yards out curled wide.

With time running out, Skacel's late set-piece was smothered by Forster along with any hope that his side could pick up a consolation.

Live Text Commentary BBC

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +2:07

The final whistle goes and the game is over.
89:37

Mehdi Taouil fouled by Charlie Mulgrew, the ref awards a free kick. Rudi Skacel shoots direct from the free kick, save by Fraser Forster.
88:05

Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Anthony Stokes.
88:05 Booking

Booking Adrian Mrowiec goes into the book.
88:00

Free kick awarded for a foul by Adrian Mrowiec on Georgios Samaras.
87:24

Anthony Stokes concedes a free kick for a foul on Jamie Hamill. Andy Webster takes the direct free kick.
80:54

Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew from the left by-line, Rudi Skacel makes a clearance.
80:42

Georgios Samaras has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.
79:26

James Forrest gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ryan McGowan. Suso Santana takes the free kick.
78:15

Corner from the right by-line taken by Mehdi Taouil, Anthony Stokes makes a clearance.
76:24

Ryan McGowan produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.
75:44

The assistant referee flags for offside against Anthony Stokes. Direct free kick taken by Andy Webster.
74:55

Direct free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
74:55 Booking

Booking Ryan McGowan goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour.
74:48

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kelvin Wilson by Ryan McGowan.
72:25 Substitution

Substitution Pawel Brozek is brought on as a substitute for Scott Brown.
72:25

Ryan McGowan challenges Scott Brown unfairly and gives away a free kick. Daniel Majstorovic takes the direct free kick.
71:08

Free kick awarded for a foul by Suso Santana on Victor Wanyama. Direct free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
69:53 Substitution

Substitution Scott Robinson leaves the field to be replaced by Suso Santana.
69:53

Anthony Stokes is ruled offside. Ryan McGowan takes the free kick.
66:46

Free kick awarded for a foul by Rudi Skacel on Scott Brown. Daniel Majstorovic takes the direct free kick.
66:00

The assistant referee signals for offside against Anthony Stokes. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.
65:23 Substitution

Substitution Anthony Stokes on for Gary Hooper.
65:08

Shot from just outside the box by Mehdi Taouil misses to the right of the goal.
64:51

Scott Robinson takes a inswinging corner to the near post, clearance by Charlie Mulgrew.
64:28 Booking

Booking Scott Brown is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.
64:18

Free kick awarded for a foul by Scott Brown on Ryan McGowan. Scott Robinson takes the free kick.
63:30 Substitution

Substitution (Hearts) makes a substitution, with Rudi Skacel coming on for Daniel Grainger.
63:12 Substitution

Substitution (Celtic) makes a substitution, with Daniel Majstorovic coming on for Thomas Rogne.
61:21

Scott Brown challenges Daniel Grainger unfairly and gives away a free kick. Daniel Grainger restarts play with the free kick.
60:36

Unfair challenge on Ryan McGowan by Georgios Samaras results in a free kick. Andy Webster takes the free kick.
59:18

Assist by Victor Wanyama.
59:18 Goal scored

Goal – Gary Hooper – Hearts 0 – 4 Celtic Gary Hooper finds the net with a goal from close in low into the middle of the goal. Hearts 0-4 Celtic.
58:54

Charlie Mulgrew takes the inswinging corner,
58:40

Kelvin Wilson has an effort at goal from close in that bounces off the post.
57:02

Mehdi Taouil concedes a free kick for a foul on Kelvin Wilson. Fraser Forster takes the indirect free kick.
56:04

Mehdi Taouil gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Scott Brown. Thomas Rogne takes the free kick.
54:35

Joe Ledley has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.
52:05

Outswinging corner taken by James Forrest.
49:32

The offside flag is raised against Stephen Elliott. Fraser Forster takes the free kick.
48:42

Jamie Hamill fouled by Georgios Samaras, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Andy Webster.
46:07

Corner taken right-footed by Mehdi Taouil, Scott Brown manages to make a clearance.
45:43

Victor Wanyama concedes a free kick for a foul on Scott Robinson. Mehdi Taouil takes the free kick.
45:01

The match restarts for the second half.
45:01 Substitution

Substitution Gary Glen comes on in place of Andrew Driver.
45:00 +0:31

It is the end of the first-half.
45:00 +0:15 Booking

Booking Charlie Mulgrew goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour.
44:27

Outswinging corner taken by Scott Brown.
43:30

Charlie Mulgrew takes the outswinging corner, Adrian Mrowiec manages to make a clearance.
41:50

Victor Wanyama has a shot on goal from outside the box which misses left.
40:00 Booking

Booking Booking for Andy Webster for unsporting behaviour.
39:47

Adrian Mrowiec has an effort at goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.
37:00

Gary Hooper challenges Andy Webster unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Andy Webster.
35:01

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew played to the near post, clearance made by Scott Robinson.
30:43

Assist on the goal came from Georgios Samaras.
30:43 Goal scored

Goal – Joe Ledley – Hearts 0 – 3 Celtic Joe Ledley grabs a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Hearts 0-3 Celtic.
28:31

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew, Close range headed effort by Thomas Rogne clears the crossbar.
26:47

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Charlie Mulgrew, Marius Zaliukas manages to make a clearance.
25:45

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by James Forrest from the right by-line, clearance by Jamie Hamill.
23:54

Stephen Elliott takes a shot. Fraser Forster makes a save.
23:09

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Mehdi Taouil.
20:27

Gary Hooper gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Marius Zaliukas. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.
19:07

Assist on the goal came from James Forrest.
19:07 Goal scored

Goal – Victor Wanyama – Hearts 0 – 2 Celtic Victor Wanyama fires in a goal from inside the penalty area to the top right corner of the goal. Hearts 0-2 Celtic.
18:26

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew from the left by-line,
15:52

Joe Ledley produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the target.
15:04

Direct free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
15:04 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Andrew Driver for unsporting behaviour.
14:54

Unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras by Andrew Driver results in a free kick.
13:30

Scott Robinson takes a shot. Charlie Mulgrew gets a block in. Corner from the left by-line taken by Mehdi Taouil, clearance made by Charlie Mulgrew.
11:20

Victor Wanyama concedes a free kick for a foul on Adrian Mrowiec. Andy Webster takes the free kick. Marius Zaliukas produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the target.
10:00

The referee blows for offside. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.
8:05

Effort from just outside the box by Scott Brown goes over the bar.
5:25

Scott Robinson fouled by Scott Brown, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Andy Webster.
2:09 Goal scored

Goal – Scott Brown – Hearts 0 – 1 Celtic Scott Brown grabs a goal from inside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Hearts 0-1 Celtic.
1:06

Andrew Driver takes a inswinging corner.
0:24

Unfair challenge on Kelvin Wilson by Stephen Elliott results in a free kick. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.
0:00

The referee gets the game started.
Press Association