Match Pictures | Matches: 2022 – 2023
Trivia
- Celtic Win The League Title for 53rd time
- KO: 14:15; Sunday; Sky TV; League Match 34 of 38; Bank Holiday weekend
- First of the post-split league fixtures.
- Cameron Carter-Vickers set to miss 3-4 months after he will undergo upcoming knee surgery; Welsh is out injured so down to Kobyashi & Starfelt for central defence.
- Celtic hope Alistair Johnston will be fit for the Scottish Cup final. Expected out for 4 weeks with ankle injury.
- ‘It shouldnt be overlooked that a footballer is a person’ – Matt O’Riley appeals for better understanding, and urged caution in seeing footballers as public property and not people.
- Celtic youth team defeat Sevco counterparts in the Scottish Youth Cup final by 6-5 in extra-time (that was the actual score, defences were terrible).
- Celtic’s 53rd League title moves them onto 115 5 major honours, the total the now dead Rangers although many of those honours in the last decade of their existence are highly disputed given barely anyone was properly registered.
- Celtic confirmed will tour Japan in summer.
- Report: AEK Athens forward Levi Garcia attracting attention from Celtic and 14 other clubs. Celtic are in the hunt for 20-year-old Gornik Zabrze striker Szymon Wlodarczyk.
- Report: Utrecht owner Frans van Seumeren wants to keep on-loan Vasilis Barkas.
- Report: Crystal Palace scouts attended Youth Cup final to watch Mitchel Frame.
- Aberdeen: Ex-Celt Barry Robson appointed as Aberdeen manager on permanent basis. They lose at Ibrox 1-0 after Sevco’s Goldson wrestled a man down in the box yet no penalty or free kick etc!
- Royals: Coronation of the King for the UK etc the day before this match. EPL asked for the national anthem to be played before all games! No SPFL request for similar.
- Celtic Fans chanting of “You can shove your coronation up your a**e” from last weekend goes viral, including making international news such as in Australia. Clip even ends up on BBC’s satirical show ‘Have I got news for you’, getting a round of applause, cheers & laughs. See: https://www.thecelticwiki.com/incidents-you-can-shove-your-coronation-2023/
A banner with a phrase in this line at this match. - SWPL: Celtic women’s team furious over Sevco’s turning point as defender blasts – ‘sometimes you have to beat the refs’. Celtic defender Caitlin Hayes slammed the decision to rule out her goal in the 1-0 defeat to Sevco counterparts in SWPL on Thursday night.
- Dundee promoted to top tier after winning second tier after a pulsating round of final matches in that tier, televised on BBC.
- Tennis: Andy Murray won his first title in nearly four years by beating Tommy Paul in the final of the ATP Challenger event in Aix-en-Provence.
- West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady says she wouldn’t be surprised to see Ange Postecoglou “make an impact” in England if the Celtic boss ever manages south of the border.
Summary
The Real Coronation this weekend!
“I love the way the support has embraced, not only me, but this team. I hope there are more special memories ahead.”
Postecoglu (pre-match)
“They’ve been a better side than they were last year, fittingly they get the rewards for it”
“I feel super proud. It feels like it’s been a long year. The players and staff have been outstanding keeping a near impossible standard. I’ve got the easy bit. The sacrifice is what my wife and kids have to do (Ange close to tears here)”.
“The whole club really embraced me from day one”
An emotional Ange Postecoglou discusses the hard-work and sacrifice football management requires after securing back-to-back league titles
“Maybe a cup of tea, aye. Go crazy and put some sugar in it.”
Celtic captain Callum McGregor is planning a wild night after clinching the title…
JBJ712 of KDS: Not our best performance but the team stuck to their principles and eventually scored two class goals.
Starting with a back four that hasn’t played together and a distinctly light weight midfield we still restricted the diet Huns to corners and set pieces which we handled well IMHO.
As others have pointed out the red card was a stick on all day long.
Maeda was never getting caught and had Kyogo unmarked alongside him. In many ways it was very similar to the first goal we scored but even more threatening because Maeda was in position to either pass or shoot.
Fantastic to see the manager always speak so well and look totally invested in our club.
Fantastic to also see the relationship between all the players and fans
Fantastic to see so many young hoops in the crowds at Celtic Park because they are our future.
Hope everyone has a great night and gets home safe.
TheEvilGenius of KDS: Well done Celtic, champions again :clap: As for the game, it felt very similar to last week, Hearts shot their load with much pish and wind in the first 20 mins (failing to get a shot on target) and we were already starting to control the game before the red card and second half was comfortable enough. Minor gripe: Coverage absolutley abominable yet again from Sky, from the funereal intro music to the utter despair of the commentators from what was (I thought) a pretty stick-on red card!?
@TEnglishSport · 3h Celtic champions again. Emphatic. They have 100+ goals, they’ll get 100+ points. They can still surpass what many probably thought were the unsurpassable Brendan Rodgers numbers from 2016-17. Ange Postecoglou took over a mess. He’s been a giant
former EPL footballer: Trevor Sinclair @trevor8sinclair · 1h Glasgow Celtic Football Club you beautiful, beautiful community Champions Again Olè Olè
BP: @bobby__peru · 3h I don’t know if they are all just really well drilled by folk behind the scenes but our whole squad just speak brilliantly and come across so well. A great humility about them to go along with the obvious talent and steely determination. A great bunch of lads.
Teams
Celtic
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Hart
- 56Ralston
- 4Starfelt
- 18Kobayashi
- 3Taylor
- 33O’RileyBooked at 45mins
- Substituted forMooyat 70′minutes
- 42McGregor
- 41Hatate
- Substituted forIwataat 86′minutes
- 17Neves Filipe
- Substituted forHaksabanovicat 80′minutes
- 8Furuhashi
- Substituted forOhat 70′minutes
- 38Maeda
- Substituted forAbadaat 80′minutes
Substitutes
- 9Haksabanovic
- 11Abada
- 13Mooy
- 14Turnbull
- 19Oh
- 24Iwata
- 25Bernabei
- 29Bain
- 50Lawal
Goals:
- Furuhashi (67′ minutes),
- Oh (80′ minutes)
Assists:
- Hatate (67′ minutes),
- Mooy (80′ minutes)
Hearts
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 28Clark
- 72Hill
- 21Sibbick
- 15Rowles
- 19Cochrane Straight red sent off at 45mins
- 14Devlin
- Substituted forKiomourtzoglouat 74′minutes
- 5Haring
- 88Oda
- Substituted forKingsleyat 45+2′minutes
- 9Shankland
- 18McKay
- Substituted forGrantat 82′minutes
- 30Ginnelly
- Substituted forHumphrysat 82′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Kingsley
- 7Grant
- 8Kiomourtzoglou
- 12Atkinson
- 13Stewart
- 16Halliday
- 17Forrest
- 29Humphrys
- 45Tait
Goals:
Assists:
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
- Possession
- Home29%
- Away71%
- Shots
- Home7
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home0
- Away3
- Corners
- Home6
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away10
Articles
Celtic are Premiership champions for 53rd time after beating 10-man Hearts
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/07/celtic-scottish-premiership-title-champions-hearts-match-report
Ewan Murray at Tynecastle
@mrewanmurray
Sun 7 May 2023 16.15 BST
Last modified on Sun 7 May 2023 18.51 BST
158
It had to be Tynecastle. At this venue on 31 July 2021, Ange Postecoglou sampled defeat in his first Scottish Premiership match in charge of Celtic. Kyogo Furuhashi, who had met his teammates just hours before, appeared as a late substitute and looked as if football was his second sport. Fast forward to 7 May 2023; Postecoglou has presided over a title win again. Make that two out of two.
From the moment Furuhashi, a darling of the Celtic support, opened the scoring against Hearts there was no other possible outcome than an away win. Celtic, comfortably the finest team in Scotland, have notched the 53rd championship in their history. Rangers will be panicking given the almighty fuss they made over No 55.
Newcastle 0-2 Arsenal: Premier League – as it happened
Read more
Closer inspection of proceedings here would show Celtic actually played pretty sluggishly. There was a whiff of controversy, Hearts reduced to 10 men just before the interval after the interventions of VAR. Until that point, the Edinburgh side had been the better of the two. Yet Celtic and Postecoglou had no cause to care about boring detail as they celebrated in front of a euphoric, 1,300-strong away support.
“I am really proud of an outstanding group,” Postecoglou said. “The standard has been ridiculous from the players this season. It really has been incredible. I have never really had to intervene. It is the easiest job in the world, watching these guys drive their own standards every day.”
Postecoglou offered a knowing nod when that evening in 2021 was brought back to him. Could he have believed, less than two years on, he would be presiding over domestic dominance? “Yes, that is why I did it,” the Australian said. “I knew that night there was a mountain to climb but I knew that when I took the job anyway. I wouldn’t have taken it on if I didn’t believe I could deliver in a way that I have done.
“I thought I could create a team that would be very hard to stop. I have done that wherever I have been. That is not me being arrogant, it is just the truth.” Indeed, Celtic’s biggest current fear is that clubs of loftier standing have taken note of Postecoglou’s achievements.
The Celtic manager cited “mental tightness” for their early troubles against Hearts. The hosts looked the likelier to score until Alex Cochrane’s red card, at which point an air of inevitability fell upon Tynecastle. Celtic are strong enough against 11 men.
Nick Walsh, the referee, cautioned Cochrane for a pull on Daizen Maeda as the Japan forward raced towards goal just outside the angle of the penalty area. Willie Collum in the VAR room had other ideas by diverting Walsh towards the pitchside monitor. The referee’s next act was to brandish his red card.
Ange Postecoglou celebrates the title after his side’s victory
Ange Postecoglou celebrates the title after his side’s victory. Photograph: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
“I didn’t agree with it,” was the understandable assessment of the Hearts interim manager Steven Naismith. “I think there is still a lot of work to be done by Maeda. I thought the referee made the right [initial] call. Our players were in disbelief when that was overturned. As soon as that happens, the game hinges on the first call.” That Collum felt strongly enough over what was a close call to intervene was the key element.
Celtic huffed and puffed before Furuhashi claimed his 30th goal of the season. It was trademark in style, following a near-post run and low cross from Reo Hatate on the right. Callum McGregor had breached the Hearts defence with a lofted pass for Hatate to run on to. The visitors’ second was similar, albeit this time on the left flank. Substitutes combined, Aaron Mooy crossing for Oh Hyeon‑gyu to flick home.
‘I’m not in that ball-park, mate’: Ange Postecoglou on Celtic adulation and why he is slow on fan walk
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/im-not-in-that-ball-park-mate-ange-postecoglou-on-celtic-adulation-and-why-he-is-slow-on-fan-walk-4132795
The adulation that is being heaped on Ange Postecoglou from the Celtic faithful has rarely been witnessed in the club’s annals.
Andrew Smith
By Andrew Smith
Published 6th May 2023, 08:30 BST
For reverence, the transformative figure for the entire Scottish game that was European Cup winner and nine-in-a-row colossus Jock Stein will never be rivalled. However, for the sheer ability to have the entire Celtic support eating out of his hands, the bond Postecoglou has established with his public – as witnessed in the joyous, celebratory interactions with fans at the conclusion of Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final win over Rangers last Sunday – feels like it is nudging towards that ballpark. It is in a manner that feels as if it has the potential to be more profound than even for Celtic treble-winning managers Martin O’Neill and Brendan Rodgers in their pomp. Two men, along with Neil Lennon, he is on course to follow in Stein’s footsteps through leading the club to a clean sweep on the domestic honours. Yet, if you want a slapdown from the 57-year-old, all that is required is to dare suggest as much.
“Firstly I’m not in that ball-park, mate. I’m not even in that suburb, that estate. I’m well on the far outskirts of big Jock’s standing,” said Postecoglou. “I don’t take that for granted either, the way the supporters have got behind this team, and by extension got behind me. Not just this season but from the beginning of last season, that has been truly special. I felt they have embraced me and willed me to have the success we have had. Of course, they want me to be successful because it means their football club is successful but it is not just that. And it is not just me, it has been the way this football club has embraced my whole family, particularly the supporters, that is truly special.
“Days like last Sunday, you want to capture it as much as possible. It is the reason – apart from being slow – I take my time going around the field. I don’t want to miss that, miss that moment, because one day it will be gone and I don’t want it to be something cloudy in my thought space, I want it to be clear. I love the way the support have not only embraced me, but this team. We have been on a great journey and I hope there will be some memorable times ahead.”
Why Celtic’s bejeweled league crowning puts Ange Postecoglou’s side above Brendan Rodgers’ and Steven Gerrard’s invincibles
Celtic’s crowning as champions this season has been their destiny for so long it has almost felt like a birthright. The natural order.
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/why-celtics-bejeweled-league-crowning-puts-ange-postecoglous-side-above-brendan-rodgers-and-steven-gerrards-invincibles-4133322
By Andrew Smith
Published 7th May 2023, 08:00 BST
Comment
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has been a passion-instiller for a support desperate to acclaim a second successive title triumph for the Australian that has been set-up by sparkling football. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has been a passion-instiller for a support desperate to acclaim a second successive title triumph for the Australian that has been set-up by sparkling football. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Successfully defending their title became a case of when, not if, for Ange Postecoglou’s men months back. The second day of 2023, to be precise. When a late equaliser from Kyogo Furuhashi spared them defeat in their Ibrox hosting by – nominal – challengers Rangers to preserve a nine-point lead in the cinch Premiership. Inevitably, this sense of the league having been so long the preserve of Celtic can dull to just how bejeweled the conquest will be should they seal it at Tynecastle this weekend. The sparkle, the sheen, the scintillating manner with which Postecoglou and his playing gems have dazzled the opposition within their, albeit modest, domain demands any hint of indifference be eschewed. For, make no mistake, in the modern age of the Scottish top flight there hasn’t been a team as consistently entertaining and enterprising as the flailing funsters the Australian has finessed.
Owing to their loss away to St Mirren in September, this latest title triumph will be devoid of the cache attached to the unbeaten league successes of Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic in 2016-17 and Steven Gerrard’s Rangers two years ago. For sheer watchability, though, Postecoglou’s men need not defer to either of these teams. Not when they boast a 9-0 win, a six-goal mauling, two five-goal returns, and five encounters when they have netted four times across 33 games that have yielded 30 wins, two draws and that solitary defeat.
Granted, the lustre of the champions-and-treble-snarers-in-waiting appears to have been slightly scuffed in more recent times – the 1-1 draw with Motherwell in their last league outing spoiling their faultless home record. Yet, the fact is that the highest points total in the history of Scottish football remains within their grasp. It may be that the victories required from all five of their post-split games will not be banked. Should Celtic achieve that arduous feat though, they would finish with 107 points would set a new record, topping the 106 total of Rodgers’ invincibles. Moreover, with 103 goals netted, Postecoglou’s side could yet eclipse the 116 haul from 1916 that stands as Celtic’s best such return of all time.
These landmarks are still in play because of the intoxicating mix of drive and deftness that has characterised Celtic’s displays for so much of the campaign. All of which flows from their manager’s demand that his squad “never waste a minute”. Embodied in the industry and invention of 29-goal Kyogo Furuhashi, a flying flea of a forward and finisher. And unarguably, the most exhilarating performer to adorn Scottish football in the near two decades since Henrik Larsson departed for Barcelona. The verve that Celtic have applied to their attacking appetite through the jinking and jabbing of Jota and the monstrous work-rate and willing of Daizen Maeda, have set them apart. Yes, the now knee-operation recuperating Cameron Carter-Vickers has been immense in repelling opponents at the heart of Celtic’s backline. And, yes, captain Callum McGregor has marshalled his team with metronomic and measured adroitness in the middle of the park, where Reo Hatate has exhibited buzzing brilliance. Postecoglou’s pristine player recruitment also reflected in the impact of a host of other contributors such as Matt O’Riley, Aaron Mooy, Carl Starfelt and Alistair Johnston. As well as the consistent excellence of the inherited Greg Taylor. Unquestionably, though, the delight to be found in Celtic’s domination of their set-up has been in their thirst to produce thrusting, front-foot football.
That is what has made them unrivalled across recent times in another facet. Only 1,400 travelling supporters will be in the Gorgie ground for their potential coronation. But so taken have been the Celtic fanbase over the princely qualities of their team that they have lined the seats at their home stadium in unprecedented fashion. Every home game over recent months has been a sell-out. Postecoglou has been a passion-instiller. No title celebrations will be as crazed as those witnessed for Napoli’s Serie A clinching this week, which came 33 years after the second of their two Diego Maradona-inspired such successes. An edgy city careering into utter lawlessness showed the grip the game holds on human emotions. As Postecoglou believes is a cause for celebration….if not quite those that inevitably spiralled completely out of control in Italy.
“Passion shows people’s love and care for something,” he said. “We all want that in our lives, whether that’s through sport or anything else. People know the story of Napoli historically, and particularly with Maradona and what it means to the people of Naples to be champions. Particularly when a club hasn’t had success for a long time, it’s great. In that context you want people to be safe but at the same time that is what we all live for. The hope is all of us have got something in our lives we’re that passionate about, that it gets us to run out in the streets and scream from the top of our lungs.”
Even if Celtic are on course for their fifth treble in a mere eight years, should his team “bring it home” – as he has said of their quest to make it over the line against Hearts – thousands wil leave their abodes to share the moment uproariously with Postecoglou and his squad on their return to the club’s stadium. In doing so, the Celtic fans will demonstrate that such occasions have the capacity to electrify the senses each and every time. “Absolutely,” he said. “I don’t think it diminishes just because you’ve had success in the past. Every year gives you an opportunity to create something special, some special moments. I’ve got no doubt that should we be successful this weekend or whenever it is, our supporters will show what it means to them and what it means to their families, their circle of people. For so many this is their main sort of outlet for being able to show something outside of their family that means so much for them. They are well within their rights to show that emotion should their club be successful.”
Celtic: ‘Outstanding’ champions dispel manager Ange Postecoglou’s doubts
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65520740
1 hour ago1 hour ago.From the section Celtic
Celtic’s players and supporters savour clinching another Scottish Premiership title
Ange Postecoglou admits he harboured doubts over Celtic’s hunger to repeat their title-winning feat of last season. He needn’t have worried.
Celtic are champions again after an outstanding campaign, retaining the trophy with four games to spare thanks to a 2-0 win over 10-man Hearts.
The treble is also within touching distance, and Postecoglou marvelled at the “absolutely ridiculous standard” his squad have set.
“I’m just really proud,” he said.
“Having success last year, you always worry as a manager – are they going to be as hungry? From the first day, they haven’t let up and it’s a credit to every one of them.
“I thought we needed to be a better team this year to defend our title because, particularly knowing we were going to be in the Champions League, you shouldn’t underestimate the physical and mental toll that takes out of you.
“Through that time our league form was outstanding. That’s because the whole group were prepared to drive through that our main goal of being champions again was never going to be derailed.
“I haven’t had to intervene at all in terms of making sure we’re back on track. We’ve just been relentless. It’s been an outstanding season.”
Having overhauled the squad and overcome a challenging start to win the title and League Cup in his debut year, Postecoglou has continued driving Celtic forward this season.
They have suffered one domestic defeat, away to St Mirren in September, which remains their sole loss in the past 67 league matches.
The title is now in the bag, but records remain up for grabs. Should Postecoglou’s men win all four remaining games – starting with next weekend’s trip to Ibrox to face Old Firm rivals Rangers – they will set a new Scottish top-flight points milestone of 107, eclipsing Brendan Rodger’s treble-winning Invincibles of 2016-17.
And with Inverness Caledonian Thistle in next month’s Scottish Cup final all that stands between Celtic and a fifth treble in seven seasons, Postecoglou is adamant they will not be easing off.
“We still have four games to go and a cup final to prepare for,” he added. “It’s not over and we want to finish our season strong. These guys won’t let their standards slip.”
‘I’m emotional’
Feted by the Celtic support, Postecoglou has won four out of five domestic trophies, and his exploits in Glasgow continue to see him linked with jobs in England’s top flight.
Another crack at the Champions League beckons next season, and the 57-year-old Australian is happy to live in the moment as he paid tribute to the support of his family and friends.
“I rarely look beyond what’s in front of me,” he added. “We’ll enjoy today because it’s a hard-earned championship to win and we’ve done it in unbelievable style. I’ll reflect on what’s next after the cup final.
“I am [emotional] because you put a lot into it. I realise I am doing what I love and I am pretty good at it but it doesn’t happen in isolation.
“The people around you, whether it’s my family, my wife and kids, my friends, and the support I have had inside and outside the football club, you want to pay that back as well.
“All the sacrifices people make and the commitment and support they give me, it makes you emotional to think about.”
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65439690
By Martin WattBBC Scotland
Last updated on
3 hours ago3 hours ago.From the section Scottish Premiership
Celtic’s players and supporters savour clinching another Scottish Premiership title
Celtic clinched their second successive Scottish Premiership title under Ange Postecoglou as Kyogo Furuhashi’s 30th goal of the season helped overcome stubborn 10-man Hearts at Tynecastle.
The visitors were out of sorts and second best until the stroke of half-time when Alex Cochrane’s yellow card for a foul on Daizen Maeda was upgraded to red following Video Assistant Referee intervention.
Kyogo made the breakthrough and sparked jubilation among the away support with his 50th Celtic goal before substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu steered in a second to ensure the club’s 11th title in 12 years.
It is a 53rd league crown overall for Celtic and they can complete a fifth treble in seven seasons with victory over second-tier Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Cup final on 3 June.
While fourth-place Hearts were incensed by Cochrane’s controversial dismissal, Celtic lapped up the celebrations of a title triumph that comes with four games to spare and has been a formality for weeks if not months.
Reaction to Celtic’s title win
Seven games which helped Celtic keep Premiership crown
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All you need to know about Celtic
On the weekend of the king’s coronation, Celtic were unable to deliver a majestic performance but got the job done at a venue where Postecoglou’s league tenure began with a 2-1 defeat two years ago. His side have come a long way since then.
Hearts had plenty on the line in this one, too – third place guarantees European group-stage football and a £3m bounty – but their impressive first-half display culminated in a hugely controversial turning point.
Maeda latched on to Anthony Ralston’s pass over the top and was clipped by Cochrane a few yards outside the corner of the penalty box, with Kye Rowles in the vicinity as he raced back to cover.
Nick Walsh initially flashed the yellow card, only to upgrade it to red after being advised by VAR official Willie Collum to take a second look.
Home fans erupted in fury and Celtic almost rubbed salt in their wounds from the resultant free-kick as Carl Starfelt stabbed in, but Ralston was offside in providing the knockdown.
As derision rained down at the officials, Celtic winger Jota tried to keep the ball in play on the flank and sent Hearts manager Steven Naismith flying. Postecoglou saw the funny side as he jokingly signalled for VAR.
Hearts had been the better side before the interval, knocking Celtic off their stride with a high-pressing and aggressive approach. Rowles rattled a skidding shot inches wide, and Lawrence Shankland had an early header tipped over before being flagged offside.
They failed to test Hart, though, and their task was turned on its head. Celtic emerged after the break looking to make their numerical advantage count, with Reo Hatate looping a volley just over the angle of post and bar.
Still, Celtic had not mustered a shot on target until the 67th minute when Callum McGregor picked out the run of Hatate, who squared for Kyogo to force the ball past Zander Clark for a landmark goal.
Kyogo picked up a knock in the process and soon departed. His replacement, Oh, capped the victory by steering the second from fellow sub Aaron Mooy’s delivery to make it four domestic trophies out of five so far for Postecoglou.
Player of the match – Kyogo Furuhashi
Not his or Celtic’s best day but it was fitting that when the goal came, it was Kyogo who got it. Celtic’s talismanic striker delivered yet again when it mattered
Not his or Celtic’s best day but it was fitting that when the goal came, it was Kyogo who got it. Celtic’s talismanic striker delivered yet again when it mattered
Relentless Celtic are deserved champions – analysis
Celtic’s rejigged defence looked ill at ease for much of the first half as Hearts swarmed at them and forced mistakes.
The red card was the undoubted turning point and while never hitting their own high standards, Celtic wore down a Hearts side who were galvanised by a sense of injustice.
In reality, the hard work had already been done. Celtic have been imperious this season, with their sole domestic defeat coming against St Mirren in September. In fact, having lost three of his opening six Premiership games as Celtic manager, Postecoglou has lost just one in the league since.
His side are now just one goal shy of matching the league haul of 106 achieved by Brendan Rodgers’ Invincibles in 2016-17. With four games remaining, that landmark will surely tumble. Winning all those matches would also set a new points record, eclipsing the Invincibles’ mark of 106 by one.
As for Hearts, this defeat will sting, primarily because Naismith’s side more than matched the visitors before Cochrane’s dismissal.
Still, Aberdeen’s defeat at Rangers means the Tynecastle men have not lost ground in the fight for third place. Hearts’ performance will enhance their belief the five-point gap is not insurmountable, especially with Aberdeen coming to Tynecastle in a fortnight.
What they said
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: “I’m just really proud of this group of players and staff. They’ve maintained an absolutely ridiculous standard this year. They are relentless in their approach.
“Having success last year, you always worry as a manager – are they going to be as hungry? From the first day, they haven’t let up and it’s a credit to every single one of them.”
Hearts interim manager Steven Naismth: “Frustration is the overriding feeling. We put so much into it. Most of the first half was played in the Celtic half. We had the better chances
“One moment has set us back but we dealt with it well. The game then falls into that first goal category and unfortunately for us it was Celtic who got it.”
Match ends, Heart of Midlothian 0, Celtic 2.
90’+4′
Full Time
Second Half ends, Heart of Midlothian 0, Celtic 2.
90′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Anthony Ralston (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Aaron Mooy.
86′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Tomoki Iwata replaces Reo Hatate.
85′
Post update
Foul by Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic).
85′
Post update
James Hill (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84′
Post update
Attempt saved. Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Anthony Ralston.
82′
Substitution
Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Jorge Grant replaces Barrie McKay.
82′
Substitution
Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Stephen Humphrys replaces Josh Ginnelly.
80′
Goal!
Goal! Heart of Midlothian 0, Celtic 2. Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Aaron Mooy.
80′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Reo Hatate.
80′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Sead Haksabanovic replaces Jota.
80′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Liel Abada replaces Daizen Maeda.
79′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Stephen Kingsley.
75′
Post update
Foul by Anthony Ralston (Celtic).
75′
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Barrie McKay (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the left wing.
74′
Substitution
Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Orestis Kiomourtzoglou replaces Cameron Devlin.
71′
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Reo Hatate (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
71′
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Foul by Cameron Devlin (Heart of Midlothian).
70′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Aaron Mooy replaces Matt O’Riley.
70′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Oh Hyeon-Gyu replaces Kyogo Furuhashi because of an injury.
70′
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
69′
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Delay in match because of an injury Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic).
67′
Goal!
Goal! Heart of Midlothian 0, Celtic 1. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Reo Hatate.
65′
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Attempt missed. Reo Hatate (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Callum McGregor following a corner.
64′
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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Peter Haring.
62′
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Jota (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
62′
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Foul by Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian).
61′
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Foul by Yuki Kobayashi (Celtic).
61′
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Lawrence Shankland (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
60′
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
59′
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Delay in match because of an injury Zander Clark (Heart of Midlothian).
58′
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Foul by Carl Starfelt (Celtic).
58′
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Zander Clark (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
58′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by James Hill.
57′
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Attempt missed. Greg Taylor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Carl Starfelt.
55′
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Anthony Ralston (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
55′
Post update
Foul by Barrie McKay (Heart of Midlothian).
53′
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Foul by Matt O’Riley (Celtic).
53′
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Cameron Devlin (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
51′
Post update
Foul by Yuki Kobayashi (Celtic).
51′
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Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the right wing.
50′
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Attempt missed. Reo Hatate (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Matt O’Riley.
49′
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Attempt missed. Daizen Maeda (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Jota with a cross.
Second Half
Second Half begins Heart of Midlothian 0, Celtic 0.
45’+6′
Half Time
First Half ends, Heart of Midlothian 0, Celtic 0.
45’+6′
Post update
Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Reo Hatate.
45’+5′
Booking
Matt O’Riley (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
45’+5′
Post update
Foul by Matt O’Riley (Celtic).
45’+5′
Post update
Lawrence Shankland (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the right wing.
45’+2′
Post update
Offside, Celtic. Matt O’Riley tries a through ball, but Anthony Ralston is caught offside.
45’+2′
Substitution
Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Stephen Kingsley replaces Yutaro Oda.
45′
Dismissal
Alex Cochrane (Heart of Midlothian) is shown the red card.
45′
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
44′
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VAR Decision: Card upgraded Alex Cochrane (Heart of Midlothian).
43′
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Daizen Maeda (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
43′
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Foul by Alex Cochrane (Heart of Midlothian).
42′
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Attempt missed. Kye Rowles (Heart of Midlothian) header from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Barrie McKay following a set piece situation.
41′
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Foul by Carl Starfelt (Celtic).
41′
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Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
33′
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Foul by Matt O’Riley (Celtic).
33′
Post update
Cameron Devlin (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
31′
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Reo Hatate (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
31′
Post update
Foul by Cameron Devlin (Heart of Midlothian).
30′
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Attempt missed. James Hill (Heart of Midlothian) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Barrie McKay with a cross following a corner.
30′
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Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Anthony Ralston.
26′
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Daizen Maeda (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
26′
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Foul by James Hill (Heart of Midlothian).
24′
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Attempt missed. Reo Hatate (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
22′
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Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Yuki Kobayashi.
21′
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Offside, Celtic. Greg Taylor tries a through ball, but Kyogo Furuhashi is caught offside.
19′
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Attempt blocked. Carl Starfelt (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt O’Riley with a cross.
19′
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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by James Hill.
18′
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Reo Hatate (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
18′
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Foul by Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian).
17′
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Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Anthony Ralston.
17′
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Attempt blocked. Lawrence Shankland (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Barrie McKay.
17′
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Attempt blocked. Cameron Devlin (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Lawrence Shankland.
16′
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Attempt missed. Greg Taylor (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Matt O’Riley with a cross following a corner.
15′
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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alex Cochrane.
14′
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Attempt missed. Kye Rowles (Heart of Midlothian) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left following a corner.
14′
Post update
Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Yuki Kobayashi.
10′
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Foul by Carl Starfelt (Celtic).
10′
Post update
Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
9′
Post update
Daizen Maeda (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
9′
Post update
Foul by James Hill (Heart of Midlothian).
8′
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Attempt blocked. Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Peter Haring with a headed pass.
7′
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Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Carl Starfelt.
5′
Post update
Jota (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
5′
Post update
Foul by Barrie McKay (Heart of Midlothian).
5′
Post update
Offside, Heart of Midlothian. Barrie McKay tries a through ball, but Josh Ginnelly is caught offside.
5′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Yutaro Oda (Heart of Midlothian) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
2′
Post update
Offside, Heart of Midlothian. Barrie McKay tries a through ball, but Lawrence Shankland is caught offside.
Kick Off
First Half begins.
Posted at 15:1815:18
Post update
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.