| Match Pictures | Matches: 2004 – 2005 | 2004-2005 Pictures |
Trivia
- Future celts, Pressley and hartley were in the Hearts line up.
John Robertson praised Hartson and Sutton after the match.
Review
Former Scotland goalkeeper Robert Douglas made his first league start of the season, while Ulrik Laursen made a rare appearance at left back. Celtic started strongly and Sutton latched on to a misplaced header from Hearts skipper Steven Pressley to fire a fierce drive into the sidenetting from 20 yards.
With nine minutes gone, Celtic opened the scoring after a neat move. Petrov raced into a crossing position down the left and his low delivery across the goalmouth found McGeady beyond the far post. The youngster had to stretch but was able to smash the ball past Craig Gordon from a tight angle.
Celtic were well on top and Sutton did well to get the better of Kevin McKenna on the left of the box and cross for Petrov, who thumped a first-time effort narrowly wide. Alan Thompson then fired a long-range shot wide after Hearts had lost possession in midfield.
Eight minutes after the interval, Hartson tugged a shot wide from seven yards after Sutton's muscular presence had disrupted the Hearts defence. And Petrov could only find the sidenetting after more good work from Sutton had opened up the home team.
But Celtic doubled their lead soon after when Hartson headed on for Sutton, who controlled well and dinked the ball into the path of Petrov, who thundered in a shot from 18 yards.
Hartson was denied a goal in the 89th minute when Joe Hamill headed the striker's 20 yard shot over the crossbar – with Gordon stranded after racing out to block at the feet of Sutton. And the Welsh international shot straight at Gordon in injury time when it looked easier to score.
Teams
Hearts:-
Gordon, Neilson, McKenna, Pressley, Maybury, Stewart (MacFarlane 12), Stamp, Hartley, McAllister (Weir 73), de Vries, Wyness (Hamill 57).
Subs Not Used:- Moilanen, Pereira, Janczyk, Berra.
Booked:- MacFarlane, Pressley, de Vries, Weir.
Celtic:-
Douglas, McNamara, Balde, Varga, Laursen, Petrov, Lennon, Thompson, McGeady, Hartson, Sutton.
Subs Not Used:- Marshall, Juninho Paulista, Lambert, Camara, Maloney, Wallace, McManus.
Goals:- McGeady 9, Petrov 68.
Booked:- Hartson.
Att:- 16,163
Ref:- M McCurry.
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Articles
Hearts 0-2 Celtic
BBC
Aiden McGeady and Stilian Petrov were on target to earn league leaders Celtic a comfortable Boxing Day victory.
McGeady was on hand to meet a low cross from the impressive Petrov and finish from close range early in the game.
And Petrov crashed in a wonderful strike from the edge of the penalty area on 68 minutes, following some neat work from Chris Sutton.
The visitors were on top throughout the match, with John Hartson and Petrov going close to adding more goals.
Hearts were without suspended duo Andy Webster and Patrick Kisnorbo, with Phil Stamp and Kevin McKenna the men replacing them.
Celtic were forced to make changes, with Magnus Hedman suffering from a cold and defender Joos Valgaeren injured.
Former Scotland goalkeeper Robert Douglas made his first league start of the season, while Ulrik Laursen made a rare appearance at left back.
The visitors started strongly and Sutton latched on to a misplaced header from Hearts skipper Steven Pressley to fire a fierce drive into the sidenetting from 20 yards.
With nine minutes gone, Celtic opened the scoring after a neat move.
Petrov raced into a crossing position down the left and his low delivery across the goalmouth found McGeady beyond the far post.
The youngster had to stretch but was able to smash the ball past Craig Gordon from a tight angle.
Celtic were briefly under pressure when McGeady handled just outside the penalty box but Douglas was right behind Jamie McAllister's low free kick.
Celtic were well on top and Sutton did well to get the better of Kevin McKenna on the left of the box and cross for Petrov, who thumped a first-time effort narrowly wide.
Alan Thompson then fired a long-range shot wide after Hearts had lost possession in midfield.
As half time approached, Celtic defender Bobo Balde awkwardly stabbed the ball wide while unmarked beyond the back post after a McGeady corner had flashed across a crowded goalmouth.
Eight minutes after the interval, Hartson tugged a shot wide from seven yards after Sutton's muscular presence had disrupted the Hearts defence.
And Petrov could only find the sidenetting after more good work from Sutton had opened up the home team.
Hearts had rarely threatened but Celtic were given a fright after 62 minutes when Paul Hartley's long range effort flashed just wide of the target.
But Celtic doubled their lead soon after when Hartson headed on for Sutton, who controlled well and dinked the ball into the path of Petrov, who thundered in a shot from 18 yards.
Hartson was denied a goal in the 89th minute when Joe Hamill headed the striker's 20 yard shot over the crossbar – with Gordon stranded after racing out to block at the feet of Sutton.
And the Welsh international shot straight at Gordon in injury time when it looked easier to score.
Hearts: Gordon, Neilson, McKenna, Pressley, Maybury, Stewart (MacFarlane 12), Stamp, Hartley, McAllister (Weir 73), de Vries, Wyness (Hamill 57). Subs Not Used: Moilanen, Pereira, Janczyk, Berra.
Booked: MacFarlane, Pressley, de Vries, Weir.
Celtic: Douglas, McNamara, Balde, Varga, Laursen, Petrov, Lennon, Thompson, McGeady, Hartson, Sutton. Subs Not Used: Marshall, Juninho Paulista, Lambert, Camara, Maloney, Wallace, McManus.
Booked: Hartson. Goals: McGeady 9, Petrov 68.
Att: 16,163
Ref: M McCurry
O'Neill revels in good team win
BBC
Hearts 0-2 Celtic
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill was delighted to see his his side take maximum points from Tynecastle.
"Hearts were fired up as they always are in a game of strong passions so it was a great win for us," O'Neill said.
"We needed a second goal and it was a magnificent strike from Stan (Petrov) to seal a deserved victory.
"The early goal from young (Aiden) McGeady helped settle us and we got the ball down and knocked it around well – we played some good stuff."
Robertson hails Celtic forwards
BBC
Hearts boss John Robertson
Hearts 0-2 Celtic
Hearts head coach John Robertson paid tribute to Celtic's strikers after seeing his side beaten at Tynecastle.
"John Hartson and Chris Sutton are the best front players in the business," Robertson told BBC Sport.
"They are magnificent at drawing fouls and flicking balls on and both goals came after good work from them.
"We competed well but the extra class and quality Celtic have told in the end and we can't complain because the better team won."