2011-12-10: Celtic 1-0 Hearts, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 20112012 | 2011-2012 Pictures

Trivia

  • Rangers win so we stay 4pts behind.
  • Wanyama scores a crakcer, and is sinner also as he concedes a needless penalty
  • Forster saves penalty; our first save of a penalty since around 2008 (Boruc).

Review

(TheGaffer 606 of KDS forum)
We got out of jail yesterday, you could sense something was coming from Hearts, just glad we managed to get away with it, we weren't as urgent in the first half as we've been in the last few games but I felt it was always risky wheb you go into a game against a team in turmoil.

I mentioned on here that Kayal's passing isn't near the standard it should be and got a wee bit of stick for it but yesterday proved my point, it was shocking, as good as he is at winning the ball back his passing is in the opposite direction.

Again I felt Forrest had another less than impressive game, he's done well this term but has had a few quite games recently, he also looks like he's hiding when it's not happening for him.

I thought the two forwards worked hard yesterday but we just didn't give them much to feed off, glad big Forster was a hero, he's needed that for a while and Victor Wanyama was excellent again, he's a big reason why we've been more solid and his goal was brilliant even if I dud shout "Nooooo" as he was winding up.

It wasn't pretty but it might be just what we needed to believe it's our time

Teams

Celtic

  • 01 Forster
  • 05 Majstorovic
  • 11 Cha Du-Ri
  • 21 Mulgrew
  • 22 Loovens (Brown 46)
  • 33 Kayal (Ki Sung-Yeung 67)
  • 67 Wanyama
  • 09 Samaras
  • 10 Stokes (Bangura 90+3)
  • 49 Forrest
  • 88 Hooper

Substitutes

  • 24 Zaluska,
  • 06 Wilson,
  • 56 Twardzik,
  • 08 Brown,
  • 18 Ki Sung-Yeung,
  • 46 McGeouch,
  • 14 Bangura

Goals

  • Wanyama 72

Hearts

  • 25 Kello
  • 17 McGowan; yellow card
  • 26 Zaliukas
  • 02 Hamill
  • 04 Jonsson
  • 08 Black (Obua 78)
  • 12 Templeton; yellow card (Driver 78)
  • 16 Stevenson
  • 21 Taouil
  • 31 Mrowiec
  • 27 Robinson; yellow card (Elliott 78)

Substitutes

  • 30 MacDonald,
  • 13 Obua,
  • 53 Mullen,
  • 11 Driver,
  • 19 Skacel,
  • 10 Elliott,
  • 18 Novikovas
Ref: Murray
Att: 49,023

Articles

Pictures

Forum

MOTM

Stats

Possession

  • Celtic 54%
  • Hearts 46%

Attempts on target

  • Celtic 5
  • Hearts 1

Attempts off target

  • Celtic 3
  • Hearts 3

Corners

  • Celtic 7
  • Hearts 6

Fouls

  • Celtic 9
  • Hearts 14

Articles

Celtic 1 – 0 Hearts: To the Victor go the spoils as Hearts pay penalty in flare-up Celtic's Victor Wanyama fires in his side's only goal of the game. Picture: SNS

A MADCAP end yesterday made it easy to forget the mundanity that had marked out the first 70 minutes. Maybe the transformation from tedious to terrifically tousy wasn’t entirely unrelated to the introduction of Scott Brown at half-time.

All right, so the Celtic captain didn’t send a sizzling, swerving shot into the top corner from 25 yards to earn his side a breakthrough that looked as if it might not come. That was Victor Wanyama. And he didn’t save the 87th penalty that prevented Hearts claiming an equaliser and halting Celtic’s SPL winning streak. That was Fraser Foster.

But Brown, wouldn’t you know, was at the centre of the post-match posturing and potty-mouthing between the players that may yet come to the attention of the SFA’s compliance officer.

“I shouldn’t think so,” was Neil Lennon’s response to that suggestion. “I didn’t see it. I know there was a bit of pushing and shoving but not much to write about. I know there were things said to Scott when the penalty was awarded. And I think he was just giving a little bit of verbals back.”

Brown – praised by his manager for his “attitude and performance” and the manner he “drove” his team on was, in fact, giving a get-it-right-up-you, fists and all, to Jamie Hamill in lieu of the simple final-whistle handshake. That toy-town aggression, in turn, had Marius Zaliukas choking to get involved, a policeman seeming to block his path. Brown was then shepherded sharply down the tunnel by Georgios Samaras, continuing to pump fists as he disappeared. Hardly had he done so than James Forrest and Hearts first-team coach Gary Locke seemed to find themselves in a spat, with Locke also having a nip with Gary Hooper.

Who knows what they were all getting so hot and bothered about but chances are the circumstances surrounding the spot-kick award and the taking thereof were something, as well as the regular scything of Forrest in the second half, had caused tempers to fray. Lennon disputed Calum Murray’s decision to award a penalty for handball against Wanyama three minutes from the end. The lead-up was a corner from the right and a backheel from Stephen Elliott that Foster blocked before it bobbled up and was diverted as Ryan Stevenson and the arms-up Wanyama challenged for it.

“If you actually see where the ball goes it is impossible for Victor to play the ball in that direction with his hand, so I don’t know how much of a good view Calum got of it. I can understand a little bit why the decision was given as Victor has used his hands for leverage, but for me, he didn’t make contact with the ball and it came off Stevenson’s head.”

The ball then wasn’t put on the spot, according to Samaras, as Eggert Jonsson set himself to take it. Twice the Greek strayed into the penalty area to demand it be re-spotted, before Foster joined in with the pyschological warfare.

It worked, though only because Celtic’s keeper dived full length to his right and pushed the ball round the post with one hand. “He’s been due one,” Lennon said. “I kept saying to him; when are you going to save a penalty for us? He’s gone the right way, got a great hand to it, and I’m thrilled for him.”

The Celtic manager said he thought his team “thoroughly deserved” their win and “a little bit of justice was done”. It was their sixth straight league win and only once in the past three years have Celtic racked up more consecutive victories in the SPL. Lennon must have thought his side were shaping up to slip back to six points behind Rangers before Wanyama had his scoring moment.
There were two only passes, in the main, played during the first 45 minutes: the under-hit one and the over-hit one. Celtic dominated territorially and dominated possession.

In consequence, however, they also dominated in the artless area of not applying the right cooking time before seeking to stroke the ball to a team-mate. As much as what it could mean for the title race, the intrigue surrounding the afternoon was how Hearts players would cope at the end of another desperate, depressing week without pay. It was hard to judge them. There was certainly no lack of willing and honest endeavour. But they succeeded to hang in with Celtic as much because the home side allowed them to as anything they themselves effected. Gary Hooper toe-poked round the post from close in when it looked easier to score after half an hour and Anthony Stokes had a header off the crossbar on the hour when Forrest placed the perfect cross on his head. In terms of chances Hearts, aside from the final five minutes, only had a turn and shot from six yards out by Scott Robinson early in the second period that gave the home supporters the hairies.
In playing a full role in the argy bargy at the close, they certainly allowed these fans to depart feeling they had been given their money’s worth. In the showbiz sense, if not the strictly footballing one.

Celtic1-0Hearts

BBC

Page last updated at 17:13 GMT, Saturday, 10 December 2011
By Martin Conaghan

BBC Scotland Wanyama scored his first goal for Celtic with a superb solo strike Celtic survived a last-minute penalty scare to claim a nerve-wracking win over Hearts in Glasgow.

It was a full 72 minutes before Victor Wanyama put the hosts ahead with a fine solo strike from the edge the area.

Anthony Stokes had earlier headed a James Forrest cross off the underside of the bar after Hearts' Scott Robinson came close with a long-range effort.

Goalkeeper Fraser Forster kept out an Eggert Jonsson penalty with 60 seconds remaining to hand Celtic a vital win.

The victory puts Celtic back to within four points of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League table, while Hearts hang on to fifth place behind St Johnstone.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon made one enforced change to his side for the match, with defender Adam Matthews ruled out due to an ankle injury and replaced with Charlie Mulgrew.
Hearts made three changes, with Ian Black, Scott Robinson and Ryan Stevenson coming in for Andy Webster, John Sutton and Rudi Skacel.

Celtic dominated the early stages, with Georgios Samaras, Stokes, Gary Hooper and Cha Du-Ri all probing the Hearts defence.

A sterling chance landed at the feet of Hooper in the six yard area, but he toe-poked the ball past goalkeeper Marian Kello's right-hand post.

Moments later, Hooper latched on to a Samaras cut-back from the goal-line, but the ball rebounded off his ankle and rolled into Kello's hands.

As half-time approached, Stokes shot from 25 yards out and warmed the hands of Kello, but Hearts' strategy of limiting Celtic around the penalty area continued to benefit the visitors.
After the break, Hearts gave Celtic a scare with an early free-kick from the boot of Black that Forster edged out for a corner.

Hearts continued to grow in confidence, with a Scott Robinson shot from 30 yards out that inched past Celtic's right-hand post – then Beram Kayal tested Kello at the other end with a low drive from 18 yards.
James Forrest blitzed down the right flank on the hour mark and flighted in a ball that Stokes headed off the Hearts crossbar.

However, Hearts continued to frustrate Celtic's efforts going forward and Robinson earned himself a yellow card for time-wasting when the hosts were preparing to take a free-kick.

Wanyama finally broke the deadlock with a casual strike from the edge of the D in the 72nd minute, blasting into the top left-hand corner of Kello's goal after a Charlie Mulgrew free-kick was deflected out by Adrian Mrowiec.

A free-kick swung in by Ki Sung-Yeung met the head of Samaras in the 76th minute but drifted wide of the mark.

Hearts could have pulled one back following a controversial decision in the final minute when Wanyama was penalised for a challenge inside the area, but Jonsson was thwarted by a fine Forster save from the spot.

Tempers frayed in the three anxious minutes of added time, but Celtic held out to claim the three points.

  • Final Result
  • 93:09 The referee blows for the end of the match.
  • Full Time
  • 90:00+1:37 Victor Wanyama restarts play with the free kick.
  • 90:00+1:37 Substitution Mohamed Bangura is brought on as a substitute for Anthony Stokes.
  • 90:00+1:37 Ryan McGowan concedes a free kick for a foul on James Forrest.
  • 89:30 Corner taken by Mehdi Taouil from the right by-line, clearance made by Victor Wanyama.
  • 89:19 Short corner taken by Jamie Hamill.
  • 89:13 Placed penalty taken by Eggert Jonsson saved by Fraser Forster. Celtic 1-0 Hearts.
  • 87:18 Scott Brown is penalised for a handball.
  • 87:01 Mehdi Taouil takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post.
  • 86:46 Stephen Elliott crosses the ball, blocked by Daniel Majstorovic.
  • 86:06 The offside flag is raised against Anthony Stokes. Marian Kello takes the indirect free kick.
  • 85:23 A cross is delivered by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance made by Adrian Mrowiec.
  • 84:05 Mehdi Taouil takes a shot. Fraser Forster makes a save.
  • 83:52 The ball is delivered by Andrew Driver, Du-Ri Cha gets a block in.
  • 82:19 The ball is swung over by Anthony Stokes, Marius Zaliukas manages to make a clearance.
  • 82:05 Anthony Stokes produces a cross, Marian Kello makes a save.
  • 81:23 The assistant referee signals for offside against Ryan Stevenson. Free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
  • 79:22 Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Save by Marian Kello.
  • 79:04 Andrew Driver concedes a free kick for a foul on Du-Ri Cha. Free kick taken by Sung-Yeung Ki.
  • 77:48 Substitution Ian Black leaves the field to be replaced by David Obua.
  • 77:14 Substitution Stephen Elliott on for Scott Robinson.
  • 77:14 Substitution Andrew Driver is brought on as a substitute for David Templeton.
  • 76:57 Headed effort from inside the area by Georgios Samaras misses to the left of the target.
  • 76:24 Scott Brown takes the direct free kick.
  • 76:24 Booking David Templeton is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
  • 76:18 David Templeton concedes a free kick for a foul on Du-Ri Cha.
  • 74:39 Unfair challenge on Scott Brown by Ian Black results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
  • 71:36 The assist for the goal came from Charlie Mulgrew.
  • 71:36 GOAL – Victor WanyamaCeltic 1 – 0 Hearts Victor Wanyama grabs a goal from outside the area to the top right corner of the goal. Celtic 1-0 Hearts.
  • 70:52 Charlie Mulgrew delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, Adrian Mrowiec manages to make a clearance.
  • 70:52 Booking The referee books Scott Robinson for dissent.
  • 70:38 Unfair challenge on Anthony Stokes by Marius Zaliukas results in a free kick.
  • 68:02 Scott Brown concedes a free kick for a foul on Mehdi Taouil. Eggert Jonsson takes the direct free kick.
  • 67:28 The ball is swung over by Charlie Mulgrew, save by Marian Kello.
  • 66:44 Fraser Forster takes the indirect free kick.
  • 66:44 Substitution Sung-Yeung Ki replaces Beram Kayal.
  • 66:44 Mehdi Taouil is ruled offside.
  • 65:23 Outswinging corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
  • 65:05 Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew, Marian Kello makes a save.
  • 64:49 Centre by Du-Ri Cha, blocked by Ryan McGowan.
  • 63:14 Handball decision goes against Mehdi Taouil. Direct free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
  • 62:34 Foul by Georgios Samaras on Jamie Hamill, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Jamie Hamill.
  • 61:48 Direct free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
  • 61:48 Booking Ryan McGowan is booked.
  • 61:38 Unfair challenge on James Forrest by Ryan McGowan results in a free kick.
  • 60:41 Anthony Stokes takes a shot.
  • 60:00 Free kick awarded for a foul by Scott Brown on Ian Black. Marius Zaliukas takes the free kick.
  • 59:43 Beram Kayal takes a shot. Save made by Marian Kello.
  • 59:00 The ball is delivered by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance made by Adrian Mrowiec.
  • 57:32 Beram Kayal takes a shot. Marian Kello makes a save.
  • 55:16 Shot from long distance by Scott Robinson goes wide of the left-hand upright.
  • 54:43 Corner taken right-footed by Ian Black from the left by-line, save by Fraser Forster.
  • 51:53 Georgios Samaras fouled by Ian Black, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by James Forrest.
  • 50:16 Foul by Scott Brown on Ian Black, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Jamie Hamill.
  • 49:34 Beram Kayal gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ian Black. Marian Kello takes the free kick.
  • 48:34 Beram Kayal fouled by Ryan McGowan, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Victor Wanyama.
  • 47:49 Ryan McGowan concedes a free kick for a foul on James Forrest. Free kick taken by Beram Kayal.
  • 47:06 Georgios Samaras delivers the ball, Adrian Mrowiec manages to make a clearance.
  • 46:20 Corner taken by Ian Black from the left by-line, save by Fraser Forster.
  • 45:26 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Scott Robinson by Scott Brown. Free kick taken by Ian Black.
  • 45:01 The referee gets the second half started.
  • 45:01 Substitution Scott Brown is brought on as a substitute for Glenn Loovens.
  • Half Time
  • 45:00+0:59 The half-time whistle blows.
  • 44:07 Centre by Anthony Stokes, Marius Zaliukas manages to make a clearance.
  • 43:40 The ball is crossed by David Templeton, Du-Ri Cha gets a block in.
  • 43:07 The ball is crossed by Georgios Samaras, clearance made by Adrian Mrowiec.
  • 42:48 Ryan Stevenson sends in a cross, Charlie Mulgrew manages to make a clearance.
  • 39:59 Ryan Stevenson delivers the ball, Charlie Mulgrew makes a clearance.
  • 38:54 Eggert Jonsson is penalised for a handball. Free kick taken by Beram Kayal.
  • 37:12 Du-Ri Cha sends in a cross, Marius Zaliukas manages to make a clearance.
  • 35:53 Free kick awarded for a foul by Scott Robinson on Beram Kayal. Beram Kayal restarts play with the free kick.
  • 35:30 Du-Ri Cha delivers the ball, clearance made by Ryan McGowan.
  • 35:02 The ball is crossed by Du-Ri Cha.
  • 33:54 Foul by Anthony Stokes on Eggert Jonsson, free kick awarded. Marius Zaliukas takes the free kick.
  • 31:27 Shot by Scott Robinson from just outside the area goes over the net.
  • 30:04 Close range effort by Gary Hooper goes wide of the left-hand upright.
  • 29:00 Ryan McGowan concedes a free kick for a foul on James Forrest. Strike on goal comes in from Charlie Mulgrew from the free kick.
  • 25:29 Foul by Ryan McGowan on James Forrest, free kick awarded. Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick.
  • 24:27 Georgios Samaras produces a cross, Marian Kello makes a save.
  • 22:51 A cross is delivered by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance by Marius Zaliukas.
  • 22:21 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew, save made by Marian Kello.
  • 22:15 Centre by Du-Ri Cha, blocked by Ryan McGowan.
  • 20:34 Unfair challenge on Du-Ri Cha by David Templeton results in a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew takes the direct free kick.
  • 19:53 The referee blows for offside. Daniel Majstorovic takes the indirect free kick.
  • 18:38 James Forrest sends in a cross.
  • 16:47 Gary Hooper is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Marian Kello restarts play with the free kick.
  • 16:00 Short corner taken by Ian Black.
  • 15:39 The ball is crossed by Scott Robinson, blocked by Victor Wanyama.
  • 14:44 Inswinging corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance made by Jamie Hamill.
  • 14:04 Corner from the left by-line taken by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance by Marius Zaliukas.
  • 12:44 Foul by Ian Black on Beram Kayal, free kick awarded. Du-Ri Cha restarts play with the free kick.
  • 12:04 The ball is swung over by Du-Ri Cha, Adrian Mrowiec manages to make a clearance.
  • 11:20 Charlie Mulgrew takes the inswinging corner, Jamie Hamill makes a clearance.
  • 10:59 Corner from the right by-line taken by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance made by Marius Zaliukas.
  • 7:28 The assistant referee flags for offside against Anthony Stokes. Free kick taken by Marian Kello.
  • 5:44 The ball is swung over by Jamie Hamill, save by Fraser Forster.
  • 3:31 Foul by Gary Hooper on Marius Zaliukas, free kick awarded. Eggert Jonsson restarts play with the free kick.
  • 3:01 Shot by Scott Robinson from outside the box goes high over the target.
  • 2:42 The ball is swung over by Jamie Hamill, clearance by Glenn Loovens.
  • 0:31 Unfair challenge on Ryan Stevenson by Daniel Majstorovic results in a free kick. Jamie Hamill takes the direct free kick.
  • 0:00 The referee starts the match.
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