2015-09-26: Celtic 0-0 Hearts, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2015 – 2016 | 2015-16 Pictures

Trivia

• Celtic waste opportunity to close gap with Aberdeen more strongly. Aberdeen lost 2-1 to ICT (winning goal by Celtic loanee Christie). Celtic three points behind Aberdeen in the league. Aberdeen's first loss of the season.
• First league meeting between the reigning champions of the top two tiers of Scottish football.
• Celtic wear the National Famine Memorial Day tribute at the game.
• Celtic draw Hearts in the League Cup.
• Dundee Utd sacked their manager ex-Celt Jackie McNamara. Sold players for over 11 mil in 2 years,bought for peanuts. Debt gone, now manager gone.

Review

(Sevilliano of KDS)
First half was pretty good and bar fact we have pitiful strike line we'd have been out of sight

Second half was worrying from both player and managerial perspective – no plan b bar one change of angle for brown cross which led to disallowed goal

How can they simply repeat the same effin moves which are getting them nowhere again and again

And the managers answer was ciftci

(TRA of KDS)
Obviously not happy with result but didn't think we did much wrong other than the most obvious thing, not score. Hearts had one of those days where although they got a point, on another day could have been a serious doing for them. We do however lack any proper individual creativity and with no one on the bench other than an off form GMS offering anything akin to what we needed there weren't many options available to change it.

Except from another late balls up Boyata played well until that point and likewise no one had a bad game although maybe that was the biggest issue as conversely no one had a great game. Really frustrating that Lustig didn't get to the byline at least once during the game when acres of space in front of him rather than early ball that rarely threatened.

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Stats

Celtic Heart of Midlothian
Possession
36% 64%
90mins

Shots
24 5

On target
5 0

Corners
7 4

Fouls
11 12

Articles

Celtic 0 – 0 Hearts: Defiant Jambos hold out
http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/celtic-0-0-hearts-defiant-jambos-hold-out-1-3899190
BARRY ANDERSON AT CELTIC PARK
17:20Saturday 26 September 2015

A DOGGED and defiant Hearts display earned a welcome point at Parkhead.

The hosts spent the majority of the game pressing their opponents back but goalkeeper Neil Alexander and his defence showed impressive resolve to prevent the champions scoring.

Celtic finished the match with ten men after Efe Ambrose was red carded in stoppage-time for denying Sam Nicholson a clear scoring chance. By then, Hearts’ work was pretty much done. Leigh Griffiths passed up a number of scoring chances, particularly in the first half, and the Edinburgh club rode their luck on more than one occasion. Nonetheless, after some sub-standard defensive displays in recent weeks, they were delighted to leave Glasgow with a clean sheet.

Head coach Robbie Neilson made four changes after Hearts’ midweek League Cup win at Kilmarnock. He most notably left out captain Alim Ozturk, possibly due to a niggling injury. Restored to the side were Juanma, Juwon Oshaniwa, Miguel Pallardo and Jamie Walker. Celtic made seven alterations after eliminating Raith Rovers as Emilio Izaguirre, Nir Bitton, Griffiths, Tomas Rogic, Dedryck Boyata, Mickael Lustig and James Forrest all returned.

Celtic needed a win to keep pace with Aberdeen at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership. They seized control of the game but were to pass up several good scoring chances in the first half. They threatened in the opening minutes through both Scott Brown and Commons with the Hearts defence looking jittery in possession of the ball. Then came a 25-yard free-kick from Griffiths which goalkeeper Alexander did well to beat away.

When Hearts attacked, they found the Celtic back line just as indecisive as their own. Juanma curled a right-footed shot towards the top corner on 13 minutes but saw the ball rise narrowly over Craig Gordon’s crossbar. The hosts knew their best method of defence was attack and they immediately came forward once again. On 16 minutes, Forrest’s vicious volley struck the inside of Alexander’s left post and bounced clear.

Celtic were controlling the game and enjoying plenty of the ball, much of it inside Hearts’ half and down the home side’s left – where Forrest and Izaguirre were giving Callum Paterson a hard afternoon. Forrest’s clever through pass found Rogic but his first-time left-footed attempt was angled across the face of goal and wide. Then came another fine opening when Izaguirre’s cross found Griffths 18 yards out for a free header, however the Scotland forward was off target.

The next chance came courtesy of Blazej Augustyn. He tried to head clear a high ball into the Hearts penalty area but succeeded only in nodding it backwards towards his own goal. Griffiths was again lurking unmarked, although his tame header was gathered by Alexander. The goalkeeper instantly aimed a verbal tirade in Augustyn’s direction hoping to waken the Pole up.

Alexander was called upon to deny Griffiths again on 33 minutes. The striker fastened on to the ball inside the box after Izaguirre’s shot ricocheted towards him, but Alexander smothered the chance. He then held a low drive from Bitton and and watched an angled attempt from Forrest swing away from goal. At half-time, Celtic were cursing their profligacy in front of goal although it seemed only a matter of time until they found the net.

Hearts fashioned the first chance of the second half when Igor Rossi headed Walker’s deep cross from the left into the side netting. Their opponents tried to use Forrest at every opportunity. The winger ran at Paterson repeatedly with the ball hoping a foul would lead to the defender being sent off. He was booked in the first half for fouling Forrest and knew he was now treading a thin line. Each time he leaned into Forrest, the home crowd howled for a foul but referee Kevin Clancy rightly let play continue.

Indeed, the Celtic supporters were growing frustrated due to their team’s inability to break Hearts’ resistance. Their players began snatching at shots and, with each passing minute, the visitors’ confidence and belief grew. They were guilty of defending very deeply, though, after changing to a 4-5-1 formation with 15 minutes left.

Recent signing Arnaud Djoum made his debut as a replacement for Jamie Walker and the last ten minutes saw Hearts pinned back. In the centre of their defence, Rossi was as solid as anyone. Alexander was just as assured and held another attempt from Griffiths as the match entered its last five minutes.

After Griffiths’ effort was disallowed for offside, the Celtic fans streamed out of the stadium sensing their team weren’t to find that elusive goal. They missed Ambrose’s late dismissal for tripping Nicholson as the winger homed in on goal. That was just about the last act of the afternoon. The Hearts fans remained and rejoiced at full-time after their side had taken a hard-earned point in Glasgow.

Celtic (4-2-3-1): Gordon; Lustig, Boyata, Ambrose, Izaguirre; Brown, Bitton; Commons, Rogic, Forrest; Griffiths.

Subs:

75: Ciftci for Rogic

Unused subs: Bailly, Blackett, Mackay-Steven, Janko, Johansen, Tierney.

Hearts (4-2-3-1): Alexander; Paterson, Augustyn, Rossi, Oshaniwa; Gomis, Pallardo; Nicholson, Sow, Walker; Juanma.

Subs:

65: Buaben for Sow

77: Reilly for Juanma

80: Djoum for Walker

Unused subs: Hamilton, Ozturk, McGhee, Swanson.

Referee: Kevin Clancy.

BBC
By Chris McLaughlin BBC Sport

Celtic were held to a goalless draw by dogged Hearts and had Efe Ambrose sent off late on but still edged a point closer to Premiership leaders Aberdeen.

It could have been worse for the home side as Ambrose was dismissed for pulling down Sam Nicholson with the midfielder through on goal.

The home side peppered the Hearts goal with shot after shot from beginning to end without making the breakthrough.

James Forrest hit the bar and an offside flag denied Leigh Griffiths.
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Highlights – Celtic 0-0 Hearts

With Aberdeen losing away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle, reigning champions Celtic narrowed the gap to four points at the top.

It is a huge result for the side from the capital, who had failed to take a single point from the Scottish Champions in their last 10 encounters.

This was the first league meeting between the sides since Hearts won promotion from the Championship and they were determined to bounce back from two bruising cup defeats last season.

Both managers made a number of changes from their respective midweek wins, with Ambrose and Dedryck Boyata handed the centre back roles for the home side, while Osman Sow and Juanma both started up front for the visitors.

Hearts survived a couple of early scares at the back in a breathless start to the match and Kris Commons should have done better when the ball fell into his path, but his rushed effort was weak.

Celtic's intent was becoming clear though and they quickly started to dominate and push Hearts further and further back.
Arnaud Djoum makes his debut for Hearts

Arnaud Djoum made his debut for Hearts as a substitute after signing earlier this week

However, after Griffiths watched his 30-yard effort beaten away by Neil Alexander, the visitors started asking questions of their own.

Osman Sow and Juanma linked up well inside the Celtic box, but the Spaniard watched his curling right foot effort slip just past the post.

The home fans were on their feet shortly after when it looked like a fabulous James Forrest shot was heading into the top right-hand corner of the net, but the crossbar came to Hearts' rescue.

Griffiths was gifted a golden opportunity just before the half hour mark after a terrible head back by Blazej Augustyn just eight yards out, but the striker's effort was not much better.

An ever dodgy looking Hearts defence breathed again, but it was now very much on the ropes.

The break brought some respite for the visitors and, 10 minutes after the restart, the travelling support thought Igor Rossi had nodded their side ahead – the net rippled, but to the delight of the home fans, it was the side netting only.

Commons and Forrest continued to terrorise the Hearts full backs but their flicks and tricks led to nothing but more passed up half chances and the home fans started to show signs of frustration.

Griffiths had his head in his hands near the end when Alexander clutched his curling effort and cleared to safety.

Right at the end, Ambrose was given a straight red card for denying Nicholson an obvious goalscoring opportunity with a rash lunge when the winger looked through on goal.

BBC
Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Celtic 0, Heart of Midlothian 0.
90:00 +4:08 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Celtic 0, Heart of Midlothian 0.
90:00 +3:57

Attempt blocked. Callum Paterson (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
90:00 +3:20 Dismissal

Dismissal Efe Ambrose (Celtic) is shown the red card.
90:00 +3:11

Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
90:00 +3:11

Sam Nicholson (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
89:20

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the right is just a bit too high.
86:54

Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
84:34

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
82:46

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Juwon Oshaniwa.
81:37

Foul by Nadir Ciftci (Celtic).
81:37

Igor Rossi (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
79:21 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Arnaud Djoum replaces Jamie Walker.
78:53

Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) header from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
77:06

Attempt missed. Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
76:31 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Gavin Reilly replaces Juanma.
74:18 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Nadir Ciftci replaces Tomas Rogic.
74:05

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
71:39

Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
71:39

Foul by Juanma (Heart of Midlothian).
70:51

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jamie Walker.
70:38

Attempt blocked. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
69:16

Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
69:16

Foul by Igor Rossi (Heart of Midlothian).
68:38 Booking

Booking Nir Bitton (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
68:26

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
68:26

Morgaro Gomis (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
64:47 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Prince Buaben replaces Osman Sow.
64:24

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right from a direct free kick.
63:34

Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
63:34

Foul by Miguel Pallardó (Heart of Midlothian).
61:26 Booking

Booking Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
61:11

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
61:11

Juanma (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
58:56

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Blazej Augustyn.
57:48

Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Emilio Izaguirre.
57:02

Foul by Dedryck Boyata (Celtic).
57:02

Callum Paterson (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
56:35

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Callum Paterson.
55:44

Attempt missed. Scott Brown (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
54:44

Attempt missed. Osman Sow (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left.
53:28

Attempt missed. Igor Rossi (Heart of Midlothian) header from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right.
52:55

Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
52:55

Juanma (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
51:40

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
51:00 Booking

Booking Juwon Oshaniwa (Heart of Midlothian) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
50:54

Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
50:54

Foul by Juwon Oshaniwa (Heart of Midlothian).
48:20

Foul by Dedryck Boyata (Celtic).
48:20

Juwon Oshaniwa (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the right wing.
47:43

Dedryck Boyata (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
47:43

Foul by Juanma (Heart of Midlothian).
45:00

Second Half begins Celtic 0, Heart of Midlothian 0.
45:00 +0:50 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Celtic 0, Heart of Midlothian 0.
41:28

Attempt missed. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
39:39 Booking

Booking Sam Nicholson (Heart of Midlothian) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
39:31

James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
39:31

Foul by Jamie Walker (Heart of Midlothian).
37:32

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jamie Walker.
35:31

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
35:31

Juanma (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the right wing.
34:59

Attempt saved. Nir Bitton (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
33:10

Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
33:10

Juwon Oshaniwa (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the left wing.
32:51

Attempt blocked. Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
32:05

Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
32:05

Foul by Morgaro Gomis (Heart of Midlothian).
29:41

Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
29:41

Juanma (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
28:06

Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left.
27:49

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Blazej Augustyn.
27:39

Attempt blocked. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
26:00

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) header from very close range is saved in the top centre of the goal.
25:27

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Igor Rossi.
23:08

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
21:00

Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
17:45

Foul by Morgaro Gomis (Heart of Midlothian).
17:45

Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
16:22

James Forrest (Celtic) hits the bar with a right footed shot from outside the box.
14:21

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high.
12:59

Attempt missed. Juanma (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
12:15

Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Dedryck Boyata.
10:05 Booking

Booking Callum Paterson (Heart of Midlothian) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
10:03

Foul by Callum Paterson (Heart of Midlothian).
10:03

James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
9:33

Miguel Pallardó (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
9:33

Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
7:33

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
6:47

Foul by Blazej Augustyn (Heart of Midlothian).
6:47

Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
6:33

Foul by Osman Sow (Heart of Midlothian).
6:33

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
5:24

Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Emilio Izaguirre.
4:34

Attempt saved. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
4:05

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right from a direct free kick.
3:37

Foul by Igor Rossi (Heart of Midlothian).
3:37

Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
2:43

Attempt missed. Sam Nicholson (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
2:18

Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Efe Ambrose.
0:33

Attempt missed. Scott Brown (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

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