2015-12-27: Heart of Midlothian 2-2 Celtic, SP

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

Trivia

• First game after Xmas hols.
• Celtic benefit as Aberdeen drop points. Aberdeen drew their game with who some believe are dubious penalty decisions. Sadly Celtic also drop points in this game.
• On same day just down the road at the same time Glasgow playing Edinburgh in new annual boreathon rugby rivalry match.
• Celtic have recalled Ryan Christie from his loan period with Inverness. The attacking midfielder signed for the Parkhead side from Caley Thistle in August on a four-year deal but was loaned back to John Hughes’ team.
• Blackett: reports that has been recalled back to Man U, supposedly as cover for defence. Nobody is convinced. He has been poor at Celtic.
• Celtic support's most disliked media pundit, the self-righteous and annoying Pat Nevin, being sued by Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea after Never stated Fabregas was responsible for the sacking of their manager. A lot of glee.
• Scottish FA stun & bemuse Scottish football with heavily ironic statement following the 8 year suspensions given to FIFA & UEFA heads Blatter & Platini: "The Scottish FA notes the sanctions imposed on Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini by the adjudicatory chamber of FIFA’s independent Ethics Committee. Given that grounds of appeal remain open to both individuals, it would be inappropriate to comment any further than to say today's decision only reinforces the need for a fundamental change in governance at a global level in order to rebuild the trust and integrity of football."

Review

(THT of KDS)
Strange game. A decent opening 15 minutes – high tempo and pressing – but a rather patchy performance over the 90 minutes. No doubt the enforced changed didn't help. Two cracking finishes from Bitton and Rogic should have given us a deserved 3 pts but ultimately poor defending and decision making cost us – not for the first time.

There was plenty of effort today but the quality was only fleeting. The inability to hold on to a lead against bog standard SPFL opposition is pretty pathetic. The same mistakes being repeated time after time. No wonder it's always jam tomorrow with Ronny.

Hearts didn't particularly impress. Expected more from then giving our current form.

(Bawman of KDS)
This week we got wired in there. We're just no very good without arguably our two best players. Deila made a substitution that, if injury based was borderline decent, (I'd have gone with Allan and his ability to keep the ball), and if tactical, borderline mental.

The middle of the park has no leadership, no one dictating the pace of the game. Biton did that last year but this year he is far too wispy with his positioning. I have no idea whether that's how he's being coached or something he has taken upon himself, either way there is no character in there without Brown. With each passing week I am convinced we need a midfield talent in there. Simple passes, pivot the midfield and make the tough challenges. Oh for a Neil Lennon in his playing days. Unfortunately that kind of ready made player is way outside our budget now.

The first goal we lost today was the real tragedy. We were sleeping at the cross and sleeping at the back post. We just switched off and in a game like this, that's criminal.

I appreciate Tierney is young and still learning but he coughs up possession time and again with those long, lumbering punts up the park. If I'm an SPL manager watching that today, I am all over that and using it to punish us. He needs to mix his passes better.

Jozo and Efe did a good job under very trying circumstances and, for the most part, shut the back door really well in the second half. That it took that kind of goal to snatch a point from us says it all.

Finally, if we had a legit striker we'd be whole other kind of animal.

(Teddy NY of KDS)
Forrest had the ball on his foot at midfield, awful 2nd touch to give it away, then committed a foul. They lump it forward from that free kick and he committs another foul. Boom, game tied.

That poor touch/giveaway is emblematic of the lack of quality we have. Top tier players don't do that (and thus wind up winning that type of game 1-2); the players we have don't have the requisite ability, they make mistakes where better players would be comfortable, and as such we draw that game instead of winning it. And this wasn't just a today thing, you could pull out similar examples from nearly all our stumbles this season:

-Brown's awful header when up 2-0 v Malmö.

-Ambrose's disaster when up 2-0 v Fener.

-Gordon staying rooted to his line as the cross for Aberdeen late winner at Pittodrie floated down 4 yards from goal.

-Griffiths missing a great chance at 0-0 away to Malmö (side netting when shooting over the advancing keeper.

-Griffiths missing that 1 v 1 home to Ajax.

-Izzy getting sent off at Ajax.

-Boyata playing an easy pass out of bounds right before Malmö's killer second at home.

-Johansen missing the sitter at home to Malmö that would've made it 3-0.

-Etc, etc, etc.

I don't know for certain whether we'd be better off with a new manager. I do know that for the transfer fees/wages we pay, we really should have better players – players that wouldn't have pissed the ball away at midfield today leading to their goal (or any of the other errors listed above; or the countless other ones not listed).

It's frustrating. We deserve better.

Sigh.

Fwiw, did think Ambrose was great today. Gordon good too.

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Stats

Heart of MidlothianCeltic
Match Stats
Possession
53% 47%
90mins
Shots
9 12
On target
5 7
Corners
5 4
Fouls
7 15

Articles

Hearts 2-2 Celtic: Sow snatches point with wonder goal

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/hearts-2-2-celtic-sow-snatches-point-with-wonder-goal-1-3985380

Osman Sow strikes the ball from distance as his late goal earns a point for Hearts. Picture: SNS Group
Osman Sow strikes the ball from distance as his late goal earns a point for Hearts. Picture: SNS Group

HEARTS dramatically came from behind twice with goals at the end of each half to grab a 2-2 draw with Celtic in a breathless and bruising Ladbrokes Premiership encounter at Tynecastle.

Hoops midfielder Nir Bitton opened the scoring in the 42nd minute but Jambos counterpart Sam Nicholson levelled in first-half added time.

Midfielder Tom Rogic restored Celtic’s lead with a wonderful strike in the 70th minute but as the match entered four minutes of added time Osman Sow’s drive following a short free-kick – which took a deflection – beat Parkhead goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

The visitors were much improved from last week’s 2-1 home defeat to Motherwell but are now only one point ahead of Aberdeen at the top of the table, albeit they have played a game less than the Dons.

• Keep up to date with all our sport news on The Scotsman’s Sport page on Facebook

A full and noisy Tynecastle watched a slick and purposeful Celtic side dominate the frantic early proceedings and Jambos keeper Neil Alexander made early saves from Nadir Ciftci, Rogic and Jozo Simunovic.
Hearts players mob Osman Sow after the Swedish striker's lsat-gasp equaliser. Picture: SNS Group
Hearts players mob Osman Sow after the Swedish striker's lsat-gasp equaliser. Picture: SNS Group

The Parkhead side, however, were clearly disrupted when injured midfielder Stuart Armstrong had to be replaced by James Forrest before defender Dedryck Boyata limped off with Efe Ambrose coming on.

As Celtic readjusted, Gordon, a former Hearts favourite, made two great saves.

The first was down at his left-hand post to deny the outstretched Prince Buaben, before striker Gavin Reilly tested him after he had got in behind Ambrose.

However, three minutes before the break, a mistake by Hearts defender Blazej Augustyn allowed Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor to play in the unmarked Bitton and he settled himself before slipping the ball past Alexander.
Nir Bitton celebrates after scoring Celtic's first goal. Picture: PA/Ian Rutherford
Nir Bitton celebrates after scoring Celtic's first goal. Picture: PA/Ian Rutherford

It looked like the Hoops would go into the interval ahead but soon after three minutes of added time had been signalled on the board, a cross from the right from Buaben to the back post was knocked in by the determined Nicholson who jousted with Celtic stand-in skipper Mikael Lustig.

Within seconds of the second half starting another mistake by Augustyn near his own byline saw him dispossessed by Ciftci, whose powerful low drive was saved by Alexander, with the Gorgie men happy to emerge unscathed.

The physios of both clubs were busy and just after the hour mark Miguel Pallardo replaced Djoum, moments before referee Steven McLean ignored a Hearts penalty appeal when Ciftci bumped Augustyn in the box.

However, as they had been at the start of the match, Celtic were in top gear and went ahead again after Lustig’s cross fell to Bitton who set up Rogic – and from the edge of the box he curled a wonderful left-footed shot high past Alexander.
Stefan Johansen gives his shirt to Jay Beatty at the final whistle. Picture: SNS Group
Stefan Johansen gives his shirt to Jay Beatty at the final whistle. Picture: SNS Group

It was difficult to see a way back for Hearts a second time as the visitors retained their edge, although possession continued to change hands with regularity.

Gary Mackay-Steven replaced Rogic in the 77th minute and Hearts made their last two substitutions, Billy King replacing Reilly and Dario Zanatta coming on for skipper Morgaro Gomis.

And as the match moved added time, after Forrest tripped King 25 yards from goal, Buaben slipped the ball to Sow and his drive ended up behind Gordon to stun the Hoops and delight the home fans.

Hearts: Alexander, Paterson, Rossi, Augustyn, Oshaniwa, Buaben, Djoum (Pallardo 62), Gomis (Zanatta 87), Nicholson, Reilly (King 80), Sow. Subs not used: Hamilton, Ozturk, McGhee, Swanson. Booked: Augustyn. Goals: Nicholson 45+1; Sow 90+1.

Celtic: Gordon, Lustig, Simunovic, Boyata (Ambrose 33), Tierney, Bitton, Johansen, McGregor, Rogic (Mackay-Steven 78), Armstrong (Forrest 20), Ciftci. Subs not used: Bailly, Allan, Cole, Izaguirre. Booked: Johansen, Ciftci, Ambrose. Goals: Bitton 42; Rogic 70.

Referee: Steven McLean

Read more: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/hearts-2-2-celtic-sow-snatches-point-with-wonder-goal-1-3985380#ixzz3vXm782M9
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BBC
By Richard Wilson BBC Scotland at Tynecastle

Celtic moved one point clear of Aberdeen at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a fiercely contested and pulsating draw against Hearts.

The visitors were strong-willed and led twice through Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic.

Those goals were not enough to quell Hearts, who played with relentless commitment before a packed Tynecastle.

Sam Nicholson equalised at the end of the first half and Osman Sow did the same in the 90th minute with a stunning, slightly deflected strike.

Celtic had been immediately assertive. Their play in the opening stages was full of vigour and intent, with Rogic prominent as he dropped into pockets of space between Hearts' defence and midfield.

The visitors were unable to take full advantage, though, and that contributed to the nature of the game, which was so full of energy and commitment that it swept from one incident to another.

There were moments of alarm for the visitors – who lost Stuart Armstrong and Dedryck Boyata to injury in the opening half-hour – with Craig Gordon saving a Kieran Tierney clearance that bounced towards goal and a Gavin Reilly effort.

The visitors' resolve was being tested by the circumstances, but they did not lack spirit and were soon in front.

Hearts were complicit, with Igor Rossi charging out of his position and his centre-back partner Blazej Augustyn failing to clear the ball with an awkward attempt to volley it away.

Morgaro Gomis could not tidy up the mess either, with the ball being pushed towards Bitton, who, with cool assurance, clipped a shot past Neil Alexander.
Tom Rogic celebrates

Tom Rogic scored Celtic's second goal

There was little time fore Celtic to build on the lead, since Hearts refused to be subdued. Three minutes later, Prince Buaben sent a deep cross into the penalty area and although Mikael Lustig reached the ball first, Nicholson steered a volley into the far corner.

The play was scrappier after the break, as if composure was treated as an interloper. There was also two heavy collisions in a matter of minutes, as players hurtled into challenges that told of the aggressive determination and desperation to win, and also left bodies scattered on the pitch.

With a strong sense of purpose, Celtic grew into command. There was good fortune when they took the lead, since the ball broke to Rogic at the edge of the area, but he had the presence of mind and deftness of touch to sweep a left-foot shot into the top corner.

It was not the last accomplished moment of the game, though, since Sow, with the aid of a deflection, delivered a hard-struck and well-directed shot past Gordon after receiving the ball from a short free-kick 20 yards out.

Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Heart of Midlothian 2, Celtic 2.
90:00 +4:10 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Heart of Midlothian 2, Celtic 2.
90:00 +3:42

Dario Zanatta (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90:00 +3:42

Foul by Nadir Ciftci (Celtic).
90:00 +3:17

Osman Sow (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90:00 +3:17

Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
90:00 +2:22

Prince Buaben (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90:00 +2:22

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
90:00 +0:06 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Heart of Midlothian 2, Celtic 2. Osman Sow (Heart of Midlothian) left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Prince Buaben following a set piece situation.
89:22

Billy King (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
89:22

Foul by James Forrest (Celtic).
88:53

Miguel Pallardó (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the right wing.
88:53

Foul by James Forrest (Celtic).
87:54

Attempt missed. Billy King (Heart of Midlothian) left footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
86:14 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Dario Zanatta replaces Morgaro Gomis.
80:50

Foul by Nadir Ciftci (Celtic).
80:50

Miguel Pallardó (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the right wing.
79:22 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Billy King replaces Gavin Reilly.
78:59 Booking

Booking Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
78:55

Foul by Nadir Ciftci (Celtic).
78:55

Blazej Augustyn (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
77:08 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Gary Mackay-Steven replaces Tomas Rogic.
75:43

Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Kieran Tierney.
73:13

Attempt missed. Osman Sow (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
72:29

Attempt missed. Mikael Lustig (Celtic) header from very close range is just a bit too high following a corner.
72:21

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Igor Rossi.
70:54

Foul by Callum Paterson (Heart of Midlothian).
70:54

Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
69:12 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Heart of Midlothian 1, Celtic 2. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Nir Bitton.
63:17 Booking

Booking Blazej Augustyn (Heart of Midlothian) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
63:09

Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
63:09

Foul by Blazej Augustyn (Heart of Midlothian).
62:10

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
62:10

Prince Buaben (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
61:24 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Miguel Pallardó replaces Arnaud Djoum because of an injury.
60:56

Attempt missed. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
58:08

Attempt missed. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
56:02

Kieran Tierney (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
56:02

Foul by Prince Buaben (Heart of Midlothian).
53:16

James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
53:16

Foul by Callum Paterson (Heart of Midlothian).
50:17 Booking

Booking Efe Ambrose (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
50:00

Arnaud Djoum (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
49:44

Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
45:24

Attempt saved. Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
45:00

Second Half begins Heart of Midlothian 1, Celtic 1.
45:00 +3:08 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Heart of Midlothian 1, Celtic 1.
45:00 +2:54

Gavin Reilly (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the right wing.
45:00 +2:54

Foul by Jozo Simunovic (Celtic).
45:00 +0:30 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Heart of Midlothian 1, Celtic 1. Sam Nicholson (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the top right corner.
44:48

Foul by Kieran Tierney (Celtic).
44:48

Osman Sow (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
42:27

Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
42:27

Juwon Oshaniwa (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
41:19 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Heart of Midlothian 0, Celtic 1. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
39:47

Attempt missed. Sam Nicholson (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the left.
38:30

Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
38:30

Foul by Callum Paterson (Heart of Midlothian).
35:59

Attempt saved. Igor Rossi (Heart of Midlothian) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
35:25

Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Craig Gordon.
35:15

Attempt saved. Gavin Reilly (Heart of Midlothian) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
33:45

Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Craig Gordon.
33:27

Attempt saved. Prince Buaben (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
32:50 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Efe Ambrose replaces Dedryck Boyata because of an injury.
27:23 Booking

Booking Stefan Johansen (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
27:17

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
27:17

Sam Nicholson (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
25:58

Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Kieran Tierney.
25:01

Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Dedryck Boyata.
23:36

Attempt missed. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left.
20:00

Attempt missed. Sam Nicholson (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
19:19 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. James Forrest replaces Stuart Armstrong because of an injury.
17:04

Attempt saved. Jozo Simunovic (Celtic) header from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal.
16:20

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Osman Sow.
15:10

Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
15:10

Foul by Prince Buaben (Heart of Midlothian).
10:54

Foul by Gavin Reilly (Heart of Midlothian).
10:54

Jozo Simunovic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
8:18

Attempt saved. Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
7:39

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Sam Nicholson.
6:47

Attempt saved. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
5:18

Attempt saved. Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
4:34

Attempt missed. Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
3:09

Prince Buaben (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the left wing.
3:09

Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
2:23

Blazej Augustyn (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
2:23

Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
0:52

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Blazej Augustyn.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

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