2020-12-20: Celtic 3-3 Hearts, Scottish Cup

Match Pictures | Matches: 2020 – 2021

Trivia

Scottish Cup final
Celtic win the Scottish Cup for 40th time
Celtic complete the Quadruple Treble – History made
Celtic win the match after 2-2 FT, 3-3 AET, 4-3 on penalties!
Kick-off 2.15pm, played at Hampden Park; BBC One Scotland / Premier Sports 1
Postponed Scottish Cup final from last season due to Covid; no supporters at the match.
Conor Hazard saves two penalties in the shoot-out
Celtic going for the Quadruple Treble…. Last treble as Celtic lost in the league cup for 2020/21 season, ending the glorious record run.
Same teams in final as last season. Season 2019/20 is now belatedly over.
Neil Lennon becomes first Celtic manager ever to have won the domestic treble as both player & manager.
1874-1876, Queen’s Park completed a hat-trick of Scottish Cups – first ever played – on their home ground, First Hampden. Record beaten finally today.
Ex-Celt Chris Sutton says Steven Naismith should have been sent off for his tangles with Scott Brown – with one in the first half seeing the Hearts captain’s studs landing on the Celtic skipper’s thigh. (We agree)
Edouard scores a cracking ‘Patenka’ goal! Criticised by former Rangers star Neil McCann for his Panenka penalty in the Scottish Cup final, which we all laughed at. It was a delightful goal And Christie scored a screamer, but then Celtic blew a 2 goal lead.
Hearts Keeper is Craig Gordon who actually played for Celtic in past year with Celtic but not in the Scottish Cup run. His first final defeat with Celtic in the final. He had won 9 finals in a row previously (all with Celtic).
Martin O’Neill describes ex-players who are pundits criticising Lennon et al as ‘Basement Dwellers’! All believe it is in reference to “Robbie Savage” (England): “pundits in other parts of the UK who achieved nothing as players – basement dwellers!”

Other Stuff

THE SFA have rejected an extraordinary ‘hi-jack’ bid from Inverness Caley Thistle to host the match. Caley Thistle proposed the Caledonian Stadium as an alternative to the national stadium to allow fans into the match.
League Cup: Sevco lose to St Mirren and so both Celtic & St Mirren out and no treble this season. Their manager (ex-Celt Jim Goodwin) got a red for over-celebrating the win! Ridiculous.
Report: Philadelphia Union defender Mark McKenzie is open to moving to Celtic, if come calling again next month. Cited Virgil van Dijk’s path to the top as one he admires.
Report: Frimpong in £13.5m Roma Report; next day said to be untrue; Celtic man Andrew Gutman will remain in the United States for another season after being selected by Atlanta United in the MLS re-entry draft.
Report: Leeds, Newcastle, Leicester and Southampton are all tracking Ryan Christie
Celtic AGM held: Very stage managed, not all fans impressed as protests have been held and fans motion voted down. Peter Lawwell has rebuffed claims from disgruntled fans that the club’s board have shown “contempt” for them during this time of strife in a wide-ranging interview screened at the club’s virtually held AGM.
USA: Joe Biden formally selected as US president on Monday after securing required 270 Electoral College votes
Russia banned from the next World Cup and Olympics by Court of Arbitration for Sport, cut from 4 yrs to 2.

Covid:

London enters Tier 3 & then new Tier 4 (top tiers down south); new strain in force in SE England.
Whole of UK practically put under far stricter controls, inc can only house mix on Xmas day
For many families, they will not be able to do Covid bubble of households for Xmas. “A shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas” apparently acc to the UK PM.
Unicef to feed hungry children in UK for first time in 70-year history. UN agency will help fund food parcels for those affected by coronavirus crisis in Southwark, south London
Glasgow v Edinburgh Rugby match postponed following a number of positive coronavirus cases.
UK forced into full lockdown due to Covid as other countries banning flights from UK etc

Summary

“I’ve been here 20 years and I think I’m the first person to do it as a manager and a player. So I’m in a unique band of one and I’m very proud.”
“It’s a monumental achievement. It’s a very special moment for me on a personal basis. It’s never been done before and you can see how difficult it is.”
(Neil Lennon)

“It was like a corkscrew, consistently twisting & turning throughout the game. An incredible game of football, terrific entertainment.”
(Tom English on Radio Scotland)

“Does any club in British football do drama quite like Celtic? And did you ever see a ‘Panenka’ quite like this one?”
(Journo Graham Spiers on twitter after Celtic’s Scottish Cup final victory Dec 2020)

“Normal pundits, absolutely, but ex-professionals having a go? Especially sometimes – and I’m not talking about here, I’m talking about in other parts of the United Kingdom – you have players who have done absolutely nothing in their career, nothing at all, who have been basement dwellers as footballers and ended up on a screen criticising something in front of them that they’ve never experienced either as a player or a manager. And they’re giving an opinion – their opinion is worthless. “I’m not saying that every opinion up here from an ex-pro is worthless, far from it, but sometimes you have to disregard these things.”
Martin O’Neill on ex-players turned Pundits (Dec 2020)

TCW on Twitter:
Just enjoy tonight and history being made. Everything else can wait.

(Inside SPFL twitter)

Inside The SPFL

Young Celtic keeper Conor Hazard with just three appearances to his name has won more major domestic competitions than Rangers captain James Tavernier, who’s made 271 appearances in the last five and a half seasons.

Celtic have got center back’s who can’t defend, fullbacks who can’t stop crosses, a midfield who can’t close out games and keepers who don’t make saves, so so much wrong with this entire squad.

David Tanner (Sky Punidit on twitter)

Congratulations to Celtic – a 40th Scottish Cup final victory!

A game of four halves, a game of two Celtics.

Terrific in the first half of the 90, brittle thereafter.

Hearts were immense at times.

Celtic’s proper fans can celebrate a 4th treble at home.

Trophy

The lawless element in the #Celtic support – The Green-eyed monster Brigade – break lockdown and gather at Hampden.

An embarrassment for the majority of fans.

The question is are they attacking the team bus this week or cheering it?

Mobs are fickle by nature…

(radar of KDS)
A monumental achievement, probably never to be repeated. I think it’ll feel more impressive once this dismal season ends and we’ve had time to put it in its proper perspective.

It’s an amazing thing to say, but the way we achieved such a historic achievement today has totally killed the optimism built up by two improved performances and the huns getting beat in the cup.

Starting with brown just underlines that Lennon has learned nothing from the previous two games, but to keep him on until 105th minute with Soro sitting on the bench is just depressing.

Most worrying thing was the player reactions at the first Hearts goal. No anger, no-one bollocking anyone, not even frustration, just resigned acceptance and dropped heads.

But no matter what, I’ll always be able to tell my grandkids about a truly historic match – the day Craig Gordon finally saved a penalty.

(JJ of KDS)

Awful awful performace.

Probably for the best we endured that today and looked fragile rayher than paper over the cracks.

Fantastic achievement for celtic . But sadly i feel this is end of an era. Even worse feeling is knowing we let it slip away through mismanagement and failures by the board. Including the most expensive ceo going.

Lenny had tears in his eyes. Im glad he won. But time to shake his hand and leave

Brown should also be fazed out.

Probably the most hollow cup final victory ever.

Relief at the result. Dismay at this dismantling of evreything we’ve built over years.

Note to the board. When you bring in deila and then rodgers with the latter having unreal success. Don’t break that up by hiring a footballing dinosaur who is so deadly against ever piece of forward development the other two put in place.

(Italiabhoy of KDS)
We should never take trophies for granted, every one should be celebrated as a victory for the Celtic Nation,,,

But yesterday feels like a watershed. It’s the last of our consecutive trebles, and ought to mark the end of Scott Brown as a regular pick, and Neil Lennon as our manager.

Simply, yesterday was a poor performance. We were on the ropes for at least 45 minutes against a championship side. Our defence was ragdolled by a Preston NE reserve. Our manager was out-thought by a mediocre opponent. By the end of the match, we had taken off Moi and Turnbull, as well as Eddie. There was no discernable shape or tactics – indeed, it seemed the players were happy just to give the ball to Frimpong and Rogic in the hope they’d “do something”. The confidence and swagger had completely gone, punctured by their first goal. The players visibly wilted, the heads went down, Christie, Eddie, CalMac disappeared, and Brown reverted to headless-chicken mode. The manager sat back and watched it all happen.

If we’d been playing the Huns – or indeed, any top half SPFL side, we’d have lost.

Before the game yesterday I was reasonably optimistic we could still catch them in the league. That confidence is severely dented now.

Four Trebles – an amazing achievement. But change needs to come to Celtic soon.

(Roger Mitchell the former SPL Chief Executive)

“You know what gets me, as I watch the celtic fan arrogance increase again. And you also get players making Quadruple Treble gestures on twitter. Ex managers defending Lennie. It’s this: what was the narrative from Celtic fans post game if those 2 young hearts players has scored?

“It would have been hell on earth. “weak as p*ss; can’t control a game, a final, vs a lower league team.”. So before posting your little memes of self congratulation, reflect how something as random as a penalty kick can so easily change your mindset. That’s not a good look folks!

“And the media the same. They’ve basically gone along with this celebration. Are they scared of Peter? Where are the articles calling how dreadful Celtic were in the Celtic half. How fragile and weak.”

https://thecelticstar.com/if-roger-mitchells-auntie-had-balls-harry-potter-hits-out-at-celtic-supporters-for-over-celebrating/#.X-MdLFlFJ2I.twitter

Teams

Celtic:

65 Hazard
35 Ajer Booked at 91mins
2 Jullien Booked at 116mins
4 Duffy Substituted for Johnston at 90’minutes
3 Taylor Substituted for Laxalt at 83’minutes
8 Brown Substituted for Soro at 105’minutes
42 McGregor Booked at 106mins
17 Christie
14 Turnbull Substituted for Rogic at 68’minutes
27 Elyounoussi Booked at 71mins Substituted for Frimpong at 83’minutes
22Edouard Substituted for Griffiths at 97’minutes

Substitutes

1Barkas
6Bitton
9Griffiths
11Klimala
12Soro
18Rogic
19Johnston
30Frimpong
93Laxalt

Goals: Christie (19′ minutes), Edouard (29′ minutes pen), Griffiths (105’+1 minutes)

Assists:

Hearts

1GordonBooked at 29mins
2SmithBooked at 105mins
26Halkett
6Berra
21Kingsley
19Irving
Substituted forFrearat 109’minutes
16HallidayBooked at 33mins
Substituted forHaringat 90’minutes
7WalkerBooked at 51mins
Substituted forGinnellyat 57’minutes
14NaismithBooked at 62mins
3White
Substituted forLeeat 82’minutes
10Boyce
- Substituted forWightonat 70’minutesBooked at 88mins

Substitutes

5Haring
8Lee
11Roberts
13Stewart
15Wighton
24Frear
28Popescu
30Ginnelly
31Henderson

Goals: Boyce (48′ minutes), Kingsley (67′ minutes), Ginnelly (111′ minutes)

Assists: Halliday (48′ minutes), Kingsley (111′ minutes)

Ref: John Beaton

Att: none (covid)

Stats

Home Team

Celtic

Away Team

Hearts

Possession

Home64%

Away36%

Shots

Home20

Away13

Shots on Target

Home7

Away6

Corners

Home7

Away4

Fouls

Home16

Away17

Articles

Match Report (see below)

Pictures

Match Pictures

Match Links

Stats

Home Team

Celtic

Away Team

Hearts

Possession

Home64%

Away36%

Shots

Home20

Away13

Shots on Target

Home7

Away6

Corners

Home7

Away4

Fouls

Home16

Away17

Articles

Celtic bring up quadruple treble with penalty drama – and a flirt with disaster

A shoot-out spares Neil Lennon and his men what would have been an unforgivable collapse

By Andrew Smith

Sunday, 20th December 2020, 5:29 pm

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-bring-quadruple-treble-penalty-drama-and-flirt-disaster-3074313

CELTIC 3 HEARTS 3 (Celtic win 4-3 on penalties)

Celtic flitted with the sort of disaster that has stalked them all season before escaping with a penalty shoot-out Scottish Cup triumph that completed an unprecedented quadruple treble. A showpiece of crackers undulations – Celtic were 2-0 up at half-time and 3-2 up in extra-time – the decider ultimately became a redemption tale for young Celtic keeper Conor Hazard.

Celtic: Get the latest team news, match previews and reports

He saved penalties from Stephen Kingsley and Craig Wighton in a shoot-out that had witnessed Hearts claim an advantage courtesy of Craig Gordon thwarting Ryan Christie at Celtic’s third penalty. Hazard accounted for Hearts’ third and fourth spot-kick and that allowed Kristoffer Ajer to slam in the winner and spark outpourings of relief more than joy, as Celtic became the first club to win the trophy on four successive occasions and Neil Lennon also became the first man to win a treble as both a manager and player.

Hazard had several hapless moments across the afternoon, but no more so than when, with Celtic 3-2 up thanks to substitute Leigh Griffiths showing his predatory instincts, the keeper failed to claim a corner in the 110th minute to allow Josh Ginnelly to drive in their second equaliser. Celtic appeared in total control after establishing a two-goal lead within a half hour and the question then seemed only to surround their eventual margin of victory.

Christie exquisitely controlled a Hearts clearing header from the left of the penalty area and beautifully curled the ball in at the right hand corner of Craig Gordon’s net in for a 19th minute opener. Then Christophe Berra’s flapping arm made contact with a David Turnbull corner in the box nine minutes later, and Odsonne Edouard converted with the resultant spot-kick courtesy of an audacious chip – which left Gordon raging over Frenchman’s shuffle.

Celtic’s brittleness reared up once more, though. Hearts pulled a goal back within 10 minutes on the restart. Aidy White escaped the clutches of Ajer down the left to allow Andy Halliday to loft over a cross missed by Shane Duffy before Liam Boyce angled a header back across Hazard. With the young keeper vulnerable following a couple of errors in the first period Hearts were able to exploit another corner for their 67th minute equaliser, a Kingsley header crossing the line before Scott Brown hooked it away. For the first time in a cup final, goalline technology allowed referee John Beaton to make the right call.

Celtic’s confidence drained and Hearts’ Josh Ginnelly passed up two glaring openings in the closing minutes to foce the final into extra-time. Yet, they seemed to escape their own fallibilities when Griffiths pounced to turn in from six yards after a Gordon block. The fireworks set off in celebration might have seemed out of keeping considering how close Celtic came to self-immolation.

Celtic: Hazard; Ajer, Jullien, Duffy (Johnston 91), Taylor (Laxalt 83); Brown (Soro 106), McGregor; Christie, Turnbull (Rogic 68), Elyounoussi (Frimpong 83); Edouard (Griffiths 97). Subs: Barkas, Bitton, Klimala, Soro.

Heart of Midlothian: Gordon; Halkett, Berra, Kingsley; Smith, Halliday (Haring 91), Irving (Frear 119), White (Lee 81); Walker (Ginnelly 47); Naismith; Boyce (Wighton 70). Subs: Stewart, Haring, Roberts, Popescu, Henderson.

A message fro

Hearts captain Steven Naismith speaks out on running battle with Celtic’s Scott Brown after Scottish Cup final

Hearts captain Steven Naismith explained that he was determined to match Celtic counterpart Scott Brown during the Scottish Cup final.

By Barry Anderson

Sunday, 20th December 2020, 10:30 pm

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/hearts-captain-steven-naismith-speaks-out-running-battle-celtics-scott-brown-after-scottish-cup-final-3074354

The pair had a running battle with a number of incidents at Hampden Park, including one which may prompt retrospective action against Naismith when he stood on Brown.

The Scotland forward said he relished the challenge and, despite Hearts losing 4-3 on penalties, was immensely proud of his team-mates.

“It was a battle and that’s it. Broony is the type of player who tries to impose himself. As a player, he is what he is,” said Naismith. “On top of that, he tries to enforce and intimidate players and stuff like that.

“For me, it was about giving as good as you get. Some of Broony’s reactions showed that in recent times things have been a bit more nervy. Every game you play it is a battle. It’s stuff that’s just left on the pitch.

“As players you do anything you can to win, effectively, and that’s what everyone was trying to do.”

Brown was seen goading Hearts players after the shootout, although Naismith focused on the guts shown by the Tynecastle side. They were 2-0 behind and 3-2 behind but drew level twice to take the final to penalties.

“The manager has instilled that in the boys this season,” stated the captain. “The players he’s brought in, they’ve all bought into that. These are things that in the coming weeks we’ll look at and they’ll be big positives.

“We’ve gone toe to toe with the team who have dominated Scottish football and taken it into extra-time and then to penalties. That is a positive but we’ll be disappointed in the short-term because of how close it was.

“When it goes to penalties it’s a bit of a lottery, but at one point we’re two penalties away from winning the Scottish Cup.”

Naismith stressed Hearts will now return their focus to winning the Championship title and gaining promotion after a controversial summer relegation. He explained that the squad at Riccarton has proved it can compete with the best in the top flight.

They knocked Hibs out to take their place in the Scottish Cup final and then matched a Celtic team which has now won the last 12 domestic trophies in Scotland.

“It wasn’t a case of us defending for 90 minutes trying to take this game to penalties,” continued Naismith. “We scored three goals in a cup final which shows we were a threat.

“We accepted from the start of the season we are favourites for the league and we need to get a job done. We believe we’re bigger than the league we’re in. Overall we have the quality in the squad and you could see that with the guys who came off the bench.

“We know that’s the biggest thing for the club, being back in the Premiership. That goes without saying. When we go back into training we’ll revert back to league business. When the next Scottish Cup draw comes around we’ll tie that into this season.”

BBC

Celtic win 4-3 on penalties

Scottish Cup final: Celtic beat Hearts after penalties to complete quadruple treble

By Clive LindsayBBC Sport

Last updated on

20 December 202020 December 2020.From the section Scottish Cup

Kris Ajer scores the clinching spot kick for Celtic to claim the Scottish Cup

Celtic completed a historic quadruple treble with a dramatic penalty shootout win over Hearts to lift the Scottish Cup for a 40th time.

Kristoffer Ajer supplied the vital finish to the 2019-20 competition, which took 16 months to complete.

Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard had Celtic cruising by half-time.

But Liam Boyce and Stephen Kingsley sent it into extra time, Leigh Griffiths restored the lead then Josh Ginnelly’s goal led to penalties.

The Celtic board had given its backing to manager Neil Lennon amid demonstrations outside their stadium calling for their former player’s dismissal during a five-game run without a win – and his side have now responded with three consecutive victories.

Hearts, still smarting at having been relegated after the season was called off in March, had arrived at the national stadium clear leaders of the Championship and looking to lift the trophy for a ninth time, but they left having suffered a ninth consecutive defeat by the Glasgow side.

Reaction & as it happened

Lennon dedicated trophy to Celtic hierarchy

‘We were outstanding’ – Neilson praises Hearts’ fighting spirit

The speculation before kick-off was not just about Lennon’s future but about whether he would stick with the side that had effectively saved his job with wins over Lille and Kilmarnock.

His decision to restore captain Scott Brown and Christie to midfield appeared to prove crucial as his side strolled the first half, although not before Steven Naismith’s toe-poke past Conor Hazard, the 22-year-old goalkeeper hesitating coming for a through ball, had trickled wide of the gaping empty goalmouth.

Hesitation is not something Christie displays whenever he is given a sight at goal and, when Hearts gave the Scotland midfielder too much time to make his trademark run to the edge of the penalty box, he unleashed a stunning drive into the far corner that matched his semi-final finish against Aberdeen.

It looked to be all over within 30 minutes as referee John Beaton pointed to the spot after centre-half Christophe Berra’s wayward hand touched the ball in a crowded goalmouth and Edouard’s cheeky, chipped penalty left former team-mate Craig Gordon looking angry and embarrassed.

Striker Odsonne Edouard shows nerves of steel to double Celtic’s lead at Hampden

However, Hearts regrouped after the break and the game turned when Boyce rose to head home former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday’s cross.

Hazard came to Celtic’s rescue to save from Ginnelly after a mix-up between Shane Duffy and Christopher Jullien, but when the goalkeeper flapped at the substitute winger’s subsequent corner, Christie was unable to prevent Kingsley’s header crossing the line – a fact confirmed by goalline technology.

Two old Celtic warriors looked to have won it as they combined to beat another, substitute striker Griffiths thumping home after goalkeeper Gordon blocked Brown’s header.

However, when Hazard failed to gather a free-kick inside a packed penalty box, Ginnelly finished from Kingsley’s header across goal to send a Hampden thriller that deserved packed stands instead of an empty stadium to a penalty shootout.

Hearts’ Josh Ginnelly levels the Scottish Cup final against Celtic in extra time

Just when it looked like Gordon, who had never lost a cup final in nine appearances as a junior or senior, would come back to haunt his former club when he saved from Christie, young pretender Hazard responded by keeping out spot-kicks from Kingsley and Craig Wighton.

The final word would come from Ajer, the Norwegian sending his kick past Gordon to ensure he, his team-mates and Lennon’s place in the record books and leave Hearts wondering what might have been.

Man of the match – Josh Ginnelly

Josh Ginnelly scores for Hearts

Just back from injury, winger Josh Ginnelly changed the game for Hearts after coming on as a substitute, setting up one goal and scoring another, and was unfortunate to end up on the losing side

What did we learn?

Nobody can take away this historic moment from Lennon – the first to win a treble as both player and manager – and his Celtic side. The victory should also be another step towards dousing the clamour for the Northern Irishman to be replaced as manager, but their fragility in both defence and mentality were again in evidence.

We will never know what the implications would have been if they had squandered such an opportunity – and a two-goal lead – to a side from a league below. What we will know soon enough is whether this will be a turning point as they look to reduce the 16-point gap with Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Despite their defeat, Hearts can gain confidence from the scare they gave the once dominant force in Scottish football. Already strong favourites for the Championship title and promotion, they proved the point that they are a top-flight side in everything but name.

What’s next?

BBC

Celtic: Neil Lennon thanks board as he becomes first to win treble as player and manager

Last updated on

20 December 202020 December 2020.From the section Celtic

It’s a monumental achievement – Celtic’s Lennon on quadruple domestic treble

Neil Lennon thanked the Celtic board for keeping faith as he became “a unique band of one” by securing a domestic treble as player and manager.

A run of recent poor results had dumped Celtic out of the League Cup, Europa League as well as leaving them adrift of Rangers in the Premiership.

But they secured a 12th domestic trophy in a row with a shootout win over Hearts in the Scottish Cup final.

“It’s a monumental achievement,” said Lennon.

“It’s a very special moment for me on a personal basis.

“It’s never been done before and you can see how difficult it is.”

Celtic win cup on penalties after 3-3 draw

Reaction & as it happened

The Northern Irishman had to endure fan protests outside their stadium calling for him to be sacked during a run of five games without a victory, but he has retained the support of chief executive Peter Lawwell and major shareholder Dermot Desmond in his quest for his first treble as a manager.

“I would like to dedicate it to Mr Desmond, Peter and the board for their unwavering support over the last few months,” he told BBC Scotland after the win in the delayed 2019-20 final. “It’s been a difficult time and the players – they’ve been absolutely magnificent.

“I’ve been here 20 years and I think I’m the first person to do it as a manager and a player. So I’m in a unique band of one and I’m very proud.”

Lennon hinted that the task of completing the quadruple treble – and embarking on a quest for a historic 10th league title in a row – had affected his players, who currently find themselves 16 points behind city rivals Rangers, albeit with three games in hand.

However, he suggested: “The weight of all this expectation has gone. That’s 12 trophies in a row, we’re out of the League Cup and now we can just focus on the league and [Scottish] cup again.

“Trophies aren’t easy to win. That’s 12 in a row and you’ll never see that again.”

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell addresses fan unrest over boardroom contempt, being ‘asleep at the wheel’ and Lennon blindspot at club AGM

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has rebuffed claims from disgruntled fans that the club’s board have shown “comtempt” for them during this time of strife in a wide-ranging interview screened at the club’s virtually held AGM.

By Andrew Smith

Monday, 14th December 2020, 2:12 pm

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-chief-executive-peter-lawwell-addresses-fan-unrest-over-boardroom-contempt-being-asleep-wheel-and-lennon-blindspot-club-agm-3067144

Acknowledging the “frustrations” of a support now demanding boardroom change above a change of football manager, Lawwell also made a stirring defence of Neil Lennon in the Celtic TV produced video. Stating that the Irishman was “the right man for the job in February 19…and is the right man for it now”, the club chief executive also rejected out of hand accusations the board have been “asleep at the wheel” over the fact Rangers have been able to establish a 13-point lead in a league campaign consuming all at the club as a consequence of the record 10-in-a-row bid.

Lawwell pointed to a £35m outlay on players over a 14-month spell that is beyond any previous such level of investment by the club as he acknowledged the team’s position in the Premiership is “difficult” even they would not give up on achieving their “ambitions”.

Celtic: Get the latest team news, match previews and reports

Questioned about the unrest that has brought protests for three successful Sundays outside Celtic Park, he said: “I can fully understand it. We are all Celtc supporters here too. I can understand the frustration, I can understand the disappointment in such a big year we’ve had such a difficult run in the last eight weeks. And that is what it is, eight weeks.

“I can see that, I’m a Celtic supporter myself. Born a Celtic supporter, I will die a Celtic supporter. My family are all Celtic supporters, so I get it and we understand it. What we are seeing in today’s world, and the social media world, that the board are holding the fans in contempt, they [the board] are suggesting they [fans] are entitled…it can get a wee bit over the top, I must say. “But what I can say is the support we’ve had over the summer, the supporters’ commitment to this club has been inspiring, nothing short of remarkable. And we thank them hugely for that [in a] hugely challenging time for everybody, hugely challenging time for people at home.

“As always, our duty and responsibility is to do the right thing for Celtic. We have no other agenda, no other purpose or motive, other than to make the right decisions for this great club that will take us forward. We haven’t given up [on the league] in this big year. There are circumstances that have put us in this position. And we will go and do everything we can to get the league this year.”

Lawwell appeared particularly irked by the oft-stated claim that the board’s complacency has allowed Rangers to appear in position to knock them off their perch in Scottish football.

“That’s not the case [that we’ve been asleep at the wheel”, he said. “If you go back to last May, we were crowned SPFL champions for the ninth time in a row. We have won the treble treble and could win the quadruple treble. Incredible domestic success. Despite that, in the summer, we strengthened the squad knowing there was going to be a challenge this year to a level that wehavent done before and come out of the window with a very strong squad and we had spent as a club, over the previous 14 months – from July 2019 to that point [October 2020], £35m. We have never spent anything like that in the past.

“We have strengthened, and we have kept all our big players. That’s not complacency. And I believe we saw that coming, and prepared for that. We prepared by having reserves in the club, some of which were affected by the pandemic, but those reserves were invested in to the team to make us stronger. We had a manager that delivers on a track record, and in addition we continually invest more and more into our football functions: our sports science, analysis, performance, recruitment. All to take the club forward. In no way were we sitting back, being complacent, waiting for things to happen.”

A similarly robust response was given by Lawwell over the continued backing for Lennon, which did not waver as the club crumbled in the Europa League, lost at home to Ross County in the league cup and endured a series of slips-ups in the league that have made Rangers firm favourites to be crowned champions.

“I do [see Neil Lennon is the right man to lead Celtic],” he said. “Neil’s credentials as a Celtic man are there for everybody to see. His credentials as a football manager are there for everybody to see. He came back in February ‘19 and probably had everything to lose and nothing much to win. But he came in, won us the league, won us the Scottish Cup, the treble treble. He then took on the team again, he won the League Cup, beating Rangers in the final, and we won the group section in the Europa League. We then got our nine-in-a-row title and now he’s got us inthe Scottish Cup final that hopefully will be the unprecedented quadruple treble.

“He was the man in February ‘19, he was the man for it last summer and we believe he is the man for it now. He has the players, and the trust and confidence of the players, and the trust and confidence of his backroom team and we believe, at this particular time, that he is the best man to try and recover this deficit in the league and get us on to 10-in-a-row.”

Match ends, Celtic 3(4), Heart of Midlothian 3(3).

125′

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Goal! Celtic 3(4), Heart of Midlothian 3(3). Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.

125′

Penalties over

Penalty Shootout ends, Celtic 3(3), Heart of Midlothian 3(3).

125′

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Penalty saved! Craig Wighton (Heart of Midlothian) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, right footed shot saved in the bottom right corner.

125′

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Goal! Celtic 3(3), Heart of Midlothian 3(3). Michael Johnston (Celtic) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.

124′

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Penalty saved! Stephen Kingsley (Heart of Midlothian) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, left footed shot saved in the bottom left corner.

123′

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Penalty saved! Ryan Christie (Celtic) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, left footed shot saved in the top left corner.

123′

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Goal! Celtic 3(2), Heart of Midlothian 3(3). Olly Lee (Heart of Midlothian) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.

122′

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Goal! Celtic 3(2), Heart of Midlothian 3(2). Callum McGregor (Celtic) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner.

122′

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Goal! Celtic 3(1), Heart of Midlothian 3(2). Michael Smith (Heart of Midlothian) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the high centre of the goal.

121′

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Goal! Celtic 3(1), Heart of Midlothian 3(1). Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom left corner.

120′

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Goal! Celtic 3, Heart of Midlothian 3(1). Steven Naismith (Heart of Midlothian) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.

Penalties in progress

Penalty Shootout begins Celtic 3, Heart of Midlothian 3.

120’+2′

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Second Half Extra Time ends, Celtic 3, Heart of Midlothian 3.

120′

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Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Diego Laxalt.

119′

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Offside, Heart of Midlothian. Craig Wighton tries a through ball, but Josh Ginnelly is caught offside.

117′

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Attempt missed. Craig Halkett (Heart of Midlothian) header from the centre of the box misses to the right following a set piece situation.

116′

Booking

Christopher Jullien (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

116′

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Foul by Christopher Jullien (Celtic).

116′

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Craig Wighton (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

115′

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Diego Laxalt (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

115′

Post update

Foul by Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian).

113′

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Hand ball by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).

111′

Goal!

Goal! Celtic 3, Heart of Midlothian 3. Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Stephen Kingsley with a headed pass following a set piece situation.

111′

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Attempt saved. Peter Haring (Heart of Midlothian) with an attempt from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Olly Lee with a cross.

111′

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Foul by Ryan Christie (Celtic).

111′

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Elliott Frear (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the left wing.

110′

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Offside, Celtic. Conor Hazard tries a through ball, but Leigh Griffiths is caught offside.

109′

Substitution

Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Elliott Frear replaces Andrew Irving.

106′

Booking

Callum McGregor (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.

105′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Ismaila Soro replaces Scott Brown.

Post update

Second Half Extra Time begins Celtic 3, Heart of Midlothian 2.

105’+1′

Post update

First Half Extra Time ends, Celtic 3, Heart of Midlothian 2.

105’+1′

Goal!

Goal! Celtic 3, Heart of Midlothian 2. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from very close range to the high centre of the goal following a corner.

105’+1′

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Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Scott Brown.

105’+1′

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Attempt blocked. Scott Brown (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Christie with a cross.

105′

Booking

Michael Smith (Heart of Midlothian) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

105′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Christophe Berra.

103′

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Attempt blocked. Olly Lee (Heart of Midlothian) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

102′

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Foul by Michael Johnston (Celtic).

102′

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Olly Lee (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the right wing.

99′

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Attempt missed. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Jeremie Frimpong.

98′

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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Michael Smith.

97′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Leigh Griffiths replaces Odsonne Edouard.

93′

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Hand ball by Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic).

92′

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Attempt missed. Craig Wighton (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Josh Ginnelly.

92′

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Attempt missed. Christophe Berra (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high following a set piece situation.

91′

Booking

Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

91′

Post update

Foul by Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic).

91′

Post update

Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the right wing.

90′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Michael Johnston replaces Shane Duffy because of an injury.

Post update

First Half Extra Time begins Celtic 2, Heart of Midlothian 2.

90′

Substitution

Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Peter Haring replaces Andrew Halliday because of an injury.

90’+6′

Full Time

Second Half ends, Celtic 2, Heart of Midlothian 2.

90’+2′

Post update

Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).

90’+2′

Post update

Andrew Irving (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90’+1′

Post update

Attempt missed. Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Olly Lee.

89′

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Attempt missed. Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Craig Wighton following a fast break.

88′

Booking

Craig Wighton (Heart of Midlothian) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

88′

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Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

88′

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Foul by Craig Wighton (Heart of Midlothian).

84′

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Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jeremie Frimpong.

83′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Jeremie Frimpong replaces Mohamed Elyounoussi.

83′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Diego Laxalt replaces Greg Taylor.

82′

Substitution

Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Olly Lee replaces Aidan White because of an injury.

80′

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Foul by Odsonne Edouard (Celtic).

80′

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Christophe Berra (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

78′

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Offside, Celtic. Tomas Rogic tries a through ball, but Mohamed Elyounoussi is caught offside.

75′

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Attempt missed. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Ryan Christie with a cross following a corner.

75′

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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Christophe Berra.

74′

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Attempt missed. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Greg Taylor with a cross.

73′

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Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

73′

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Foul by Michael Smith (Heart of Midlothian).

73′

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Foul by Odsonne Edouard (Celtic).

73′

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Craig Halkett (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

72′

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Foul by Ryan Christie (Celtic).

72′

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Craig Wighton (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

71′

Booking

Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

70′

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Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

70′

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Foul by Andrew Irving (Heart of Midlothian).

70′

Substitution

Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Craig Wighton replaces Liam Boyce.

69′

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

69′

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Foul by Liam Boyce (Heart of Midlothian).

68′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Tomas Rogic replaces David Turnbull.

67′

Goal!

Goal! Celtic 2, Heart of Midlothian 2. Stephen Kingsley (Heart of Midlothian) header from the right side of the six yard box to the bottom right corner following a corner.

66′

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Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Scott Brown.

66′

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Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Callum McGregor.

65′

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Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Greg Taylor.

63′

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Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).

63′

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Andrew Halliday (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

62′

Booking

Steven Naismith (Heart of Midlothian) is shown the yellow card.

61′

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Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Christopher Jullien.

59′

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Attempt saved. Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

57′

Substitution

Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Josh Ginnelly replaces Jamie Walker.

57′

Post update

Foul by Christopher Jullien (Celtic).

57′

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Craig Halkett (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

56′

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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Craig Gordon.

56′

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Attempt saved. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by David Turnbull.

52′

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Attempt missed. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by David Turnbull with a cross following a corner.

52′

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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Christophe Berra.

51′

Booking

Jamie Walker (Heart of Midlothian) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

51′

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Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.

51′

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Foul by Jamie Walker (Heart of Midlothian).

50′

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Attempt saved. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

48′

Goal!

Goal! Celtic 2, Heart of Midlothian 1. Liam Boyce (Heart of Midlothian) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Andrew Halliday with a cross.

47′

Post update

Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.

47′

Post update

Foul by Jamie Walker (Heart of Midlothian).

Second Half

Second Half begins Celtic 2, Heart of Midlothian 0.

45’+1′

Half Time

First Half ends, Celtic 2, Heart of Midlothian 0.

44′

Post update

Shane Duffy (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

44′

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Foul by Liam Boyce (Heart of Midlothian).

42′

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Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

42′

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Foul by Christophe Berra (Heart of Midlothian).

36′

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Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).

36′

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Steven Naismith (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

35′

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Attempt saved. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

33′

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Attempt missed. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Mohamed Elyounoussi.

33′

Booking

Andrew Halliday (Heart of Midlothian) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

33′

Post update

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

33′

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Foul by Andrew Halliday (Heart of Midlothian).

32′

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Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

32′

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Foul by Craig Halkett (Heart of Midlothian).

31′

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Foul by Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic).

31′

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Jamie Walker (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

30′

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Shane Duffy (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

30′

Post update

Foul by Steven Naismith (Heart of Midlothian).

29′

Booking

Craig Gordon (Heart of Midlothian) is shown the yellow card.

29′

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Goal! Celtic 2, Heart of Midlothian 0. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the high centre of the goal.

28′

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Penalty conceded by Christophe Berra (Heart of Midlothian) with a hand ball in the penalty area.

28′

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Attempt missed. Shane Duffy (Celtic) header from very close range misses to the left. Assisted by David Turnbull with a cross following a corner.

28′

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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Christophe Berra.

26′

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Attempt missed. Scott Brown (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.

26′

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Attempt blocked. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Odsonne Edouard.

25′

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Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

25′

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Foul by Andrew Irving (Heart of Midlothian).

20′

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Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

20′

Post update

Foul by Jamie Walker (Heart of Midlothian).

19′

Goal!

Goal! Celtic 1, Heart of Midlothian 0. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner.

18′

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Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

18′

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Foul by Steven Naismith (Heart of Midlothian).

16′

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Attempt missed. Shane Duffy (Celtic) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by David Turnbull with a cross following a set piece situation.

15′

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Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.

15′

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Foul by Aidan White (Heart of Midlothian).

14′

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Attempt missed. Steven Naismith (Heart of Midlothian) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Michael Smith following a fast break.

14′

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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Christophe Berra.

5′

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Offside, Celtic. Greg Taylor tries a through ball, but Odsonne Edouard is caught offside.

5′

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Attempt missed. Greg Taylor (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Mohamed Elyounoussi.

3′

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Steven Naismith (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

3′

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Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).

2′

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Attempt saved. Christophe Berra (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Andrew Irving with a cross.

2′

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Steven Naismith (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the right wing.

2′

Post update

Foul by Shane Duffy (Celtic).

Kick Off

First Half begins.

Posted at 14:13 20 Dec14:13 20 Dec

Post update

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Hearts captain Steven Naismith ‘a lucky boy’ after incident with Celtic skipper Scott Brown in cup final

Hearts captain Steven Naismith sparked debate among TV pundits after pictures showed him standing on Celtic captain Scott Brown in an off-the-ball tussle during the Scottish Cup final defeat to Celtic.

By Matthew Elder

Sunday, 20th December 2020, 7:36 pm

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/hearts-captain-steven-naismith-lucky-boy-after-incident-celtic-skipper-scott-brown-cup-final-3074370

The first half incident did not draw the attention of referee John Beaton, however, it was a hot topic of debate between Chris Sutton and Ally McCoist during the half-time analysis on Premier Sports, with the pair disagreeing over whether Naismith should have been sent off.

McCoist said: “I didn’t think it was a red card. He tries to get out the road. I don’t think he’s deliberately standing on him. I think he’s maybe tried to step over him and he’s caught him.”

Celtic: Get the latest team news, match previews and reports

Sutton took a different view, replying: “He’s a lucky boy. It’s a red card. You can’t stand on somebody. At what point does he try to get out of the road?”

Proud Neil Lennon hails Celtic’s quadruple treble final success as his ‘best moment’

The shakiness and scares experienced by his Celtic side in their Scottish Cup final shoot-out success over Hearts were brushed aside in the aftermath by Neil Lennon as he reflected on the magnitude of a triumph.

By Andrew Smith

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/proud-neil-lennon-hails-celtics-quadruple-treble-final-success-his-best-moment-3074377

Sunday, 20th December 2020, 10:30 pm

Neil Lennon soaks up the celebrations following Celtic’s Scottish Cup final shoot-out success. They came at the end of a fraught afternoon and allowed the team and their manager to claim historic places in Scottish football’s record books with a quadruple treble that ensured the Irishman is the first man to claim a treble both a s player and manager. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

A success that brought up an unprecedented quadruple treble for the club and claimed Lennon the accolade of being the first man in the history of the Scottish game to bank a domestic clean sweep both as a player and manager.

The covid-delayed decider behind closed doors threatened to become another stick with which to beat Lennon in a torturous season of so many such brickbats. They squandered a 2-0 first-half lead, and then a 3-2 advantage in extra-time before prevailing 4-3 in a shoot-out, courtesy of Celtic keeper Conor Hazard atoning for an uncertain display with two crucial saves.

Celtic: Get the latest team news, match previews and reports

Lennon, as was his right, chose only to accentuate the positives and concentrate on what will be lodged in the record books: an incredible feat that caps an extraordinary period of domination, by a man now out on his own because of it.

“I’m feeling wonderful, I’m very, very proud,” Lennon said. “It’s a monumental achievement for the players, the club and for me personally. I couldn’t be more happy. It’s quite unique and we’ll probably never see the likes of this again in our lifetimes. It’s just a shame there weren’t people here to witness what was a great cup final. We were pushed all the way by a very good side and it shows how difficult it is to win trophies.

“It means everything [to be the first man to win a treble as both manager and player]. To be the first person to achieve this? It feels so, so special. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes, a lot of thinking, a lot of heartbreak at times. I’ve had some great moments, but this is the best. It means so much to me.

“I missed out on the treble the first time I was here as a manager. You’re thinking during the game that you can’t miss this opportunity because it might not come again, but it’s just monumental for me and my family. I’m very emotional. I’m trying to keep them all in at the minute but it’s difficult. At half time I told the team that the next goal would be important, whether it went to Hearts or us. If you get the third you’re cruising, but if you concede it, they get a little bit of encouragement, which they did. You’ve got to give Hearts credit for pushing us all the way but after the 90 minutes we thought they were tiring and the subs came on.

“I think [Leigh] Griffiths is a footballing genius when it comes to goalscoring and I thought: ‘surely this is it now’ [when he scored the third] but we conceded again from a set play, our bugbear this season. Bear in mind the weight of expectation and the burden that the players have been under. I can’t believe I’m sitting here talking about a quadruple treble. For all the success we had in the late ‘60s, these guys have won trebles now four seasons in a row. It’s just incredible.”

Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths reveals ‘revenge’ motivation behind Scottish Cup final win over Hearts

Former Hibs striker Leigh Griffiths felt he gained revenge for the 5-1 Scottish Cup final defeat to Hearts in 2012 after coming off the bench to help Celtic win the quadruple treble.

By Matthew Elder

Sunday, 20th December 2020, 10:52 pm

Celtic’s Leigh Griffiths celebrates with his medal after the William Hill Scottish Cup Final between https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-striker-leigh-griffiths-reveals-revenge-motivation-behind-scottish-cup-final-win-over-hearts-3074406

Griffiths replaced Odsonne Edouard in the 97th minute after Hearts had recovered from two goals down to force extra-time at an empty Hampden.

The Scotland striker pounced just a few minutes later to put the Hoops 3-2 ahead, only for Josh Ginnelly to equalise for Hearts and force the game into penalties.

Griffiths then scored from the spot as Celtic claimed a 4-3 win in the shoot-out and the 30-year-old from Leith was delighted to get one over at his former derby rivals.

“I’ve been humiliated in a cup final against Hearts so I wanted to try and get revenge,” he told Premier Sports.

“It might not be a 5-1 scoreline but it’s another medal round the neck and I’m absolutely buzzing.”

Griffiths also demanded respect for Celtic’s historic quadruple treble, insisting: “It’s hard for teams to do one treble.

“We’ve done four on the bounce now and I think we need to get the credit we deserve.

“We’ve jumped every hurdle that’s been in our path and it’s something I don’t think we’ll ever see again in British football.

“We’ve been criticised and rightly so because performances haven’t been great, but hopefully that’s a turning point now.

“We’ve got a few games that we can hopefully pick up three points and we look forward to the big match [against Rangers] at the start of January.”

Celtic quadruple treble hero Conor Hazard reveals mindset that helped win historic shoot-out

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-quadruple-treble-hero-conor-hazard-reveals-mindset-helped-win-historic-shoot-out-3074400By Andrew Smith

Monday, 21st December 2020, 7:00 am

And the 22-year-old Irishman had the perfect summation of a seesaw encounter for both him and his team by declaring the 4-3 penalty shoot-out triumph that followed a 3-3 draw with Hearts “a crazy afternoon but a great afternoon and a momentous day for my family and the club.”

Celtic’s unprecedented monopoly of domestic honours across four-and-a-half years ultimately boiled down to a keeper in only his third senior outing for the club saving penalties from Stephen Kingsley and Craig Wighton. He was able to zone in on pulling off these feats because he blocked out what rested on doing so, and blocked out erratic moments that had made the final a stern examination for him.

Celtic: Get the latest team news, match previews and reports

“You can’t think about all the history and the fact there is another trophy on the line,” Hazard said. “You just have to focus on the penalties and try to make as many saves as possible. You just have to take each phase of the game as it comes. In a shoot-out all the pressure is on the taker to score so I was thrilled to make two saves. You’ve got to make the striker think. It hasn’t quite sunk in yet, what’s happened in the last couple of weeks but just to be a part of this momentous achievement is a huge honour for me.”

Hazard ripped up the script in being the keeper that produced the big moments in the shoot-out when plenty felt it was fated that his opposite number Craig Gordon would be the man to do so against a team he only left in the summer following a trophy-laden six-year stint. It was not a time for Hazard and a former mentor to indulge in conversation. “There wasn’t much chat at the start,” said the Northern Ireland under-21 international. “Craig was a big factor for me when I first came to the club – he took me under his wing. It’s commiserations to him but I’m just

Sutton blasts ‘worst Celtic defence in club’s history’ after Cup final triumph

Updated / Sunday, 20 Dec 2020 18:59

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2020/1220/1185630-sutton-blasts-worst-celtic-defence-in-clubs-history/

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton is not convinced their 12th consecutive trophy will be the catalyst for another successful season after branding their defence among the worst in the club’s history.

Neil Lennon’s team clinched the quadruple treble after beating Hearts 4-3 on penalties in last season’s delayed William Hill Scottish Cup final but their defensive problems were there for all to see.

Hearts came from two goals down to force extra time and levelled again in a dramatic 3-3 draw, with two of their goals coming from set-pieces and another from a cross and header.

Goalkeeper Conor Hazard became a hero on his third appearance when he saved twice in the shoot-out but he failed to convince coming off his line during the game after being preferred to Vasilis Barkas and Scott Bain.

Ireland international Shane Duffy again had a torrid afternoon in central defence and Sutton feels the cup victory will not make a massive impact on their faltering 2020-21 title charge.

Sutton said: “I thought they were fortunate. I didn’t think Hearts deserved to lose the final in any way, shape or form.

“And the hope now is this team can kick on. If I’m honest, I’m not convinced, because defensively it’s been the Celtic this afternoon which we have seen all season.

“They don’t see games through. It’s possibly one of the worst defences in the club’s history.”

O’Neill and Sutton enjoyed much success at Parkhead.

Former Celtic boss Martin O’Neill, who won the treble with Sutton and Lennon in his team in 2001, admitted his former side looked fragile at times.

But he urged them to use the triumph to refocus efforts on hauling back Rangers’ 16-point lead with Celtic now having three games in hand.

O’Neill commented: “I don’t watch Celtic all the time but enough to say that that performance, both halves, epitomised their game.

“There were some great moments in the match where they were full of confidence and feel as if they can beat anybody, and 2-0 up and absolutely cantering through.

“They concede a goal and instead of puffing out and saying ‘OK, that’s a mistake, it’s gone’, the fragility comes into their play. And the next thing you know they are hanging on and Hearts, like other opposition, have seen this fragility and they go for it.

“That’s what has happened on a number of occasions. Celtic have had some great moments in matches, even in European games for half an hour.

“But certainly now, they should push this aside. It’s great, the quadruple (treble), something that will never be achieved again – certainly not in my lifetime, I can tell you that for an absolute certainty.

“They can try and push on. It was a big win yesterday for Rangers, that opened up a big, big gap. But this competition is on the sideboard now and just go for it, go for it as much as you possibly can. It’s a long way back but it still can be done.”