2001-03-11: Celtic 1-0 Heart of Midlothian, Scottish Cup

Match Pictures | Matches: 20002001 | 2000-2001 Pictures

Trivia

  • Henrik Larsson claimed his 43rd goal of the season to send Celtic into the Scottish Cup semi finals.
  • The prolific Swede headed home an Alan Thompson cross in the 40th minute and remains on course to surpass Jimmy McGrory's all-time scoring record of 50 in season 1936-37.
  • The post-war milestone of Charlie Nicholas, with 48 in a season 1982-83, is well within sight

Review

Celtic started confidently, knocking the ball around, and had Hearts on the back foot in the opening exchanges. Alan Thompson was finding plenty of space on the left flank and in the fifth minute Robert Tomaschek had to head behind with Didier Agathe poised to score. From the resulting corner Ramon Vega, who bagged a double in midweek, rose highest but powered his header narrowly over from six yards.

Lee Makel came to Hearts' rescue in the 15th minute with a goal-line clearance from a Petrov header.

Celtic continued to surge forward and Steven Pressley made a vital interception in the 34th minute to prevent a certain goal. Lubo Moravcik and Petrov combined to create a shooting opportunity for Larsson, which Antti Niemi saved. The ball broke to Petrov five yards out, but Pressley managed to slide in and clear.

The deadlock was broken five minutes before half time when Larsson headed home powerfully. Thompson found the Swede with a precise cross and, despite Niemi getting fingers to the ball, it found its way into the top corner of the net.

Celtic went in search of the killer goal as the rain lashed down after the break and Niemi had to save Petrov's 22-yard dipping shot at the second attempt two minutes after the restart.

Pressley almost snatched an equaliser in the 83rd minute but his header from a Juanjo cross skided wide of the target.

Tynecastle substitute Gary McSwegan burst through the Celtic defence in the closing stages but Robert Douglas raced from his goal to block.

Teams

Celtic:-
Douglas, Valgaeren, Vega, Mjallby (Boyd 76), Agathe, Lambert, Lennon, Petrov, Thompson, Moravcik (Johnson 66), Larsson.
Subs not used:- Gould, McNamara, Crainey.
Goal:- Larsson 40.
Booked:- Mjallby.

Hearts:-
Niemi, Flogel, Pressley, Severin, Tomaschek, McCann, Cameron, Makel (McSwegan 81), Boyack (Murray 46), Juanjo, Kirk.
Subs not used:- McKenzie, McAnespie, Neilson.
Booked:- Flogel, Boyack, Makel, Tomaschek, Severin.

Att:- 34,672
Ref:- K Clark.

Articles

Pictures

Larsson leads the way

Celtic 1-0 Hearts
Sunday, 11 March, 2001, 18:29 GMT
BBC

Henrik Larsson claimed his 43rd goal of the season to send Celtic into the Scottish Cup semi finals.

The prolific Swede headed home an Alan Thompson cross in the 40th minute and remains on course to surpass Jimmy McGrory's all-time scoring record of 50 in season 1936-37.

The post-war milestone of Charlie Nicholas, with 48 in a season 1982-83, is well within sight.

Celtic dominated proceedings in the first half and should have established a much greater lead by the interval, but Hearts forced their way back into the game.

Hearts came to Parkhead fearing the worst after conceding 18 goals to the home side in four previous games this season, but they put up stern resistance and could have snatched a late equaliser.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill brought back Paul Lambert and Stilian Petrov, with Tommy Johnson and Jackie McNamara making way.

Celtic started confidently, knocking the ball around, and had Hearts on the back foot in the opening exchanges.

Alan Thompson was finding plenty of space on the left flank and in the fifth minute Robert Tomaschek had to head behind with Didier Agathe poised to score.

From the resulting corner Ramon Vega, who bagged a double in midweek, rose highest but powered his header narrowly over from six yards.

Lee Makel came to Hearts' rescue in the 15th minute with a goal-line clearance from a Petrov header.

Celtic continued to surge forward and Steven Pressley made a vital interception in the 34th minute to prevent a certain goal.

Lubo Moravcik and Petrov combined to create a shooting opportunity for Larsson, which Antti Niemi saved. The ball broke to Petrov five yards out, but Pressley managed to slide in and clear.
The deadlock was broken five minutes before half time when Larsson headed home powerfully.

Thompson found the Swede with a precise cross and, despite Niemi getting fingers to the ball, it found its way into the top corner of the net.

The home side went in search of the killer goal as the rain lashed down after the break and Niemi had to save Petrov's 22-yard dipping shot at the second attempt two minutes after the restart.

Hearts began to impose themselves on the game and Juanjo was causing the Celtic defence problems on the break.

The Spaniard got forward in the 49th minute and crossed, but Andy Kirk was unable to get on the end of it and Celtic breathed a sigh of relief.

Juanjo then left Valgaeren in his wake and pulled the ball back, but the Hearts attack were unable to get a shot away as Celtic bodies got back to defend in numbers.

Pressley almost snatched an equaliser in the 83rd minute but his header from a Juanjo cross skided wide of the target.

Tynecastle substitute Gary McSwegan burst through the Celtic defence in the closing stages but Robert Douglas raced from his goal to block.

Celtic: Douglas, Valgaeren, Vega, Mjallby, Agathe, Lambert, Lennon, Petrov, Thompson, Moravcik, Larsson.

Subs: Gould, Boyd, McNamara, Johnson, Crainey.

Hearts: Niemi, Flogel, Pressley, Severin, Tomaschek, McCann, Cameron, Makel, Boyack, Juanjo, Kirk.

Subs: McKenzie, McSwegan, Murray, McAnespie, Neilson.

Referee: K Clark