2010-05-09: Hearts 1-2 Celtic, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 20092010 | 2009-2010 Pictures

Trivia

  • Final game of whole season for Celtic; a very poor season. Couldn't have been scripted to go much worse (possibly).
  • Celtic end league 6pts behind Huns who win the league.
  • Rumoured Celtic v Rangers game to be staged in Boston has been pulled.
  • Lennon ends reign as Celtic caretaker manager with 8 league wins in a row! Only Ross County defeat in Scottish Cup is a blot.
  • N'Guemo suspended for match. Lots of odd changes in this game with personnel.
  • Zheng Zhi scores his first goal for Celtic! Braafheid scores his first goal only to be chopped off as it was an indirect free-kick and he shot straight on goal! Bad luck.
  • Robbie Keane ends season with 16 goals!

Review

Teams

Hearts

  • 30 MacDonald
  • 13 Obua; yellow card
  • 20 Thomson
  • 21 Ismael Bouzid
  • 26 Zaliukas
  • 04 Jonsson
  • 10 Kingston (Smith 87)
  • 16 Stevenson; yellow card
  • 46 Thomson (Novikovas 82)
  • 22 Elliot (Robinson 76)
  • 24 Templeton

Substitutes

  • 48 Lyness,
  • 02 Kucharski,
  • 39 Mulrooney,
  • 44 Smith,
  • 18 Novikovas,
  • 36 Glen,
  • 55 Robinson

Goals

  • Zaliukas 36

Celtic

  • 24 Zaluska
  • 02 Hinkel; yellow card
  • 12 Wilson
  • 21 Braafheid
  • 38 Thompson
  • 48 O'Dea
  • 08 Brown; yellow card
  • 27 Zhi; yellow card
  • 46 McGeady (Forrest 90+2)
  • 07 Keane (McGowan 90+3)
  • 10 Fortune (Rasmussen 68)

Substitutes

  • 47 Cervi,
  • 52 Caddis,
  • 14 McGinn,
  • 17 Crosas,
  • 19 Rasmussen,
  • 49 Forrest,
  • 55 McGowan

Goals

  • Keane 23
  • Zhi 61
Ref: Thompson
Att: 14,389

Articles

Pictures

KStreet

MOTM

Stats

Possession

  • Hearts 40%
  • Celtic 60%

Attempts on target

  • Hearts 7
  • Celtic 3

Attempts off target

  • Hearts 6
  • Celtic 3

Corners

  • Hearts 6
  • Celtic 1

Fouls

  • Hearts 25
  • Celtic 14

Articles

Neil Lennon pleased with Celtic record

Celtic interim manager Neil Lennon

By Chris McLaughlin

Neil Lennon is content with his brief record in office as he seeks to become Celtic manager on a permanent basis.

The interim boss will meet with major shareholder Dermot Desmond after the season ends at Hearts on Sunday.

"I am not a politician, let's get that right and I'm not going to give an ideological speech," said Lennon.

"I have made my pitch already with what's happened over the last couple of months and I don't think I can do any more in terms of performances."

The former Celtic captain has been in charge since Tony Mowbray was sacked in March and has led the side to seven straight league wins.

However, that success has been tempered by the shock Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Ross County early in Lennon's reign.

"I will probably speak to Dermot after the game on Sunday but whether he gives me an answer then or not I don't know. There's no time scale on it," said the Irishman.

"There are no positive or negative vibes, it's just speculation at the moment but Dermot knows what I think is required."

Lennon, who has no previous management experience, believes he is ready for the challenge but admits to being surprised by how well he has slept since taking over.

"I've not felt under any immense pressure – maybe that is because the job is not mine permanently," he said.

"I haven't lost any sleep. I've just got on with it."

MY SPORT: DEBATE
Are Celtic fans backing Lennon to stay on?

Asked what his feelings would be if were to be overlooked, Lennon replied: "I am prepared for that, I am comfortable with it.

"Everyone is saying it would be devastating. It won't. It's football and I have had highs and lows as a player.

"Very early in what you would deem my managerial career, I had a huge low (losing to Ross County) and came through that okay.

"So it won't be a devastating blow, but it will be a disappointment, yes."

Lennon remains a favourite with the bookmakers to make his position permanent despite speculation in the past few weeks linking Scotland boss Craig Levein with the post.

Southampton boss Alan Pardew and former Barcelona and Valencia coach Ronald Koeman have also been touted as possible contenders.

BBC

By Martin Conaghan

2010-05-09: Hearts 1-2 Celtic, SPL - Kerrydale Street
Celtic recorded an eighth successive league victory in their final encounter of the season against Hearts.
Robbie Keane, wearing the captain's armband on what was surely his last match for the club, netted with a trademark strike after 23 minutes.
Marius Zaliukas levelled in the 37th minute for Hearts, expertly turning in a Craig Thomson corner.
China midfielder Zheng Zhi sealed the win for Celtic with a superb 61st-minute volley from 16 yards out.
The victory cemented Neil Lennon's bid to take charge of the Glasgow club on a permanent basis, with Jim Jefferies' side only managing to secure two wins from their final 10 league matches.
Artur Boruc had been replaced by fellow Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska, with Landry NGuemo suspended and Diomansy Kamara and Lee Naylor out with hamstring and thigh injuries respectively, interim boss Lennon also drafting in Josh Thompson, Zhi and Edson Braafheid.
For Hearts, out went Lee Wallace, Ruben Palazuelos, Ian Black and Suso, the latter two dropped because they were one booking away from being suspended for the start of next season.

In came Craig Thomson and Jason Thomson, with Laryea Kingston and David Obua returning from bans.
Braafheid fired in a long-range free-kick for Celtic in the opening minutes of the match, but the Hearts wall stood firm.
Moments later, Craig Thomson fired in a low ball from the right for Calum Elliot to pounce on, but Celtic defender Josh Thompson was on hand to clear the danger.
The deadlock was broken in the 23rd minute when Aiden McGeady threaded a cool ball through from the middle of the pitch and Keane broke free, beating the offside trap and leaving Hearts keeper Jamie MacDonald rooted with a trademark strike.
Just over a minute later, Marc-Antoine Fortune struck for goal with a right-footed effort off the back of a training ground-style free-kick, but his shot drifted wide.
Mark Wilson skied a free-kick over the bar in the 29th minute then Kingston repeated the feat at the other end in a rare foray forward for the hosts, sending a long-range free-kick miserably wide of the mark.
Celtic could have doubled their tally shortly after the half our mark when Fortune had two players waiting in the Hearts penalty area, but he delayed releasing the ball and the chance fizzled out.
Two minutes later, Obua powered in a header from 12 yards out that gave Zaluska problems, but the big Pole managed to get a hand to it and Celtic breathed easy.

Hearts restored the balance with eight minutes remaining of the first half when Zaliukas turned in a Craig Thomson free-kick just six yards out.
Immediately after the restart, David Templeton fired a shot across the face of the Celtic goal then Keane attempted to curve in a shot from the edge of the Hearts penalty area that inched wide of MacDonald's left-hand post.
Braafheid had the ball in the back of the net from a superbly-struck free-kick after Obua kicked Mark Wilson on the face on the edge of the Hearts penalty area, but referee Craig Thompson chalked it off as the free-kick was indirect.
Celtic eventually did take the lead shortly after the hour mark, when Zhi collected a neat cross from the right and turned to volley in an outstanding goal past MacDonald.
A Templeton volley was deflected out by Andreas Hinkel and Craig Thomson had an 18-yard strike deflected with 15 minutes remaining.
Ryan Stevenson failed to get a header on target for the hosts as the match entered the final 10 minutes and Celtic found themselves under pressure.
Keane delivered a cross from the left that Morten Rasmussen failed to reach in the 81st minute then Zhi had a powerful shot deflected out for a corner.
Hearts failed to make a significant challenge to the Celtic goal as the injury time minutes ticked out and the life oozed out of the match.

  • Final Result
  • Full Time
  • 90:00+4:37 The referee blows his whistle to end the game.
  • 90:00+3:46 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Andreas Hinkel by David Templeton. Direct free kick taken by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 90:00+3:25 Eggert Jonsson fouled by Morten Rasmussen, the ref awards a free kick. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.
  • 90:00+1:52 Mark Wilson takes the free kick.
  • 90:00+1:52 Substitution Robbie Keane leaves the field to be replaced by Paul McGowan.
  • 90:00+1:52 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Morten Rasmussen by Eggert Jonsson.
  • 90:00+0:43 Edson Braafheid takes the direct free kick.
  • 90:00+0:43 Substitution James Forrest on for Aiden McGeady.
  • 90:00+0:43 David Obua concedes a free kick for a foul on Darren O'Dea.
  • 89:37 Direct free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
  • 89:37 Booking Zheng Zhi goes into the referee's book.
  • 89:32 Foul by Zheng Zhi on Arvydas Novikovas, free kick awarded.
  • 88:34 The referee blows for offside against Robbie Keane. Indirect free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
  • 87:28 Unfair challenge on Scott Brown by Ryan Stevenson results in a free kick. Lukasz Zaluska takes the direct free kick.
  • 86:15 Substitution Gordon Smith on for Laryea Kingston.
  • 85:08 Free kick awarded for a foul by Jason Thomson on Aiden McGeady. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Mark Wilson, clearance by David Obua.
  • 83:52 Zheng Zhi produces a drilled right-footed shot from 18 yards. Marius Zaliukas gets a block in. Aiden McGeady takes a inswinging corner.
  • 83:34 Arvydas Novikovas challenges Morten Rasmussen unfairly and gives away a free kick. Zheng Zhi takes the direct free kick.
  • 82:52 The referee blows for offside against Robbie Keane. Indirect free kick taken by Marius Zaliukas.
  • 81:20 Substitution Arvydas Novikovas replaces Craig Thomson.
  • 80:30 Foul by Ryan Stevenson on Zheng Zhi, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed right-footed by Aiden McGeady from left wing, Jamie MacDonald makes a save.
  • 79:40 The ball is delivered by David Templeton, save by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 79:07 Free kick crossed right-footed by Craig Thomson, clearance made by Scott Brown.
  • 79:07 Booking Booking for Andreas Hinkel for unsporting behaviour.
  • 79:03 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David Templeton by Andreas Hinkel.
  • 78:25 A cross is delivered by Jason Thomson, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Ryan Stevenson goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
  • 75:51 Substitution Scott Robinson joins the action as a substitute, replacing Calum Elliot.
  • 75:03 David Templeton takes a shot. Blocked by Andreas Hinkel.
  • 74:30 Unfair challenge on Craig Thomson by Zheng Zhi results in a free kick. Jason Thomson restarts play with the free kick.
  • 73:21 Andreas Hinkel gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Marius Zaliukas. Marius Zaliukas takes the direct free kick.
  • 71:05 Aiden McGeady fouled by Jason Thomson, the ref awards a free kick. Edson Braafheid restarts play with the free kick.
  • 69:38 Laryea Kingston takes a shot from 20 yards. Darren O'Dea gets a block in.
  • 69:13 David Templeton takes a shot. Blocked by Andreas Hinkel. Craig Thomson takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post, Darren O'Dea makes a clearance.
  • 68:36 Ryan Stevenson takes a shot. Comfortable save by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 67:03 Direct free kick taken by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 67:03 Substitution Morten Rasmussen is brought on as a substitute for Marc-Antoine Fortune.
  • 67:03 Booking The referee books David Obua for unsporting behaviour.
  • 67:01 Free kick awarded for a foul by David Obua on Josh Thompson.
  • 65:51 Unfair challenge on Zheng Zhi by Craig Thomson results in a free kick. Lukasz Zaluska restarts play with the free kick.
  • 64:36 Centre by Mark Wilson, clearance made by Marius Zaliukas.
  • 62:38 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Calum Elliot by Darren O'Dea. Ryan Stevenson takes the direct free kick. Shot by Craig Thomson from outside the area goes high over the crossbar.
  • 61:17 Effort from 20 yards by Ryan Stevenson. Blocked by Darren O'Dea.
  • 61:04 Corner taken by Craig Thomson from the right by-line, Josh Thompson manages to make a clearance.
  • 60:05 GOAL – Zheng Zhi:Hearts 1 – 2 Celtic Zheng Zhi gets on the score sheet with a goal from just inside the penalty area to the top right corner of the goal. Hearts 1-2 Celtic.
  • 58:55 Andreas Hinkel restarts play with the free kick.
  • 58:55 Booking Booking for Ryan Stevenson for unsporting behaviour.
  • 58:48 Ryan Stevenson concedes a free kick for a foul on Mark Wilson.
  • 57:39 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mark Wilson by Eggert Jonsson. Free kick crossed by Edson Braafheid. The assistant referee signals for offside against Darren O'Dea. Jamie MacDonald takes the indirect free kick.
  • 56:49 Craig Thomson concedes a free kick for a foul on Zheng Zhi. Darren O'Dea takes the direct free kick.
  • 53:52 Free kick awarded for a foul by Craig Thomson on Aiden McGeady. Edson Braafheid restarts play with the free kick.
  • 52:13 Calum Elliot is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Lukasz Zaluska takes the indirect free kick.
  • 49:59 Foul by David Obua on Mark Wilson, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Edson Braafheid.
  • 49:04 Scott Brown takes the free kick.
  • 49:04 Booking Scott Brown goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour.
  • 48:34 Foul by David Obua on Scott Brown, free kick awarded.
  • 48:00 Robbie Keane takes a shot from deep inside the box clearing the bar.
  • 47:30 The referee blows for offside against David Obua. Lukasz Zaluska takes the free kick.
  • 46:07 Effort on goal by David Templeton from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the target.
  • 45:01 The game restarts for the second half.
  • Half Time
  • 45:00+1:08 The whistle is blown to end the first half.
  • 45:00+0:46 Craig Thomson sends in a cross.
  • 44:27 The referee blows for offside against Marc-Antoine Fortune. Marius Zaliukas restarts play with the free kick.
  • 43:46 Eggert Jonsson fouled by Marc-Antoine Fortune, the ref awards a free kick. Jamie MacDonald takes the direct free kick.
  • 43:21 Scott Brown fouled by Ryan Stevenson, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Darren O'Dea.
  • 42:48 Marc-Antoine Fortune produces a cross.
  • 41:16 The assistant referee signals for offside against David Obua. Darren O'Dea takes the indirect free kick.
  • 40:15 Corner taken by Craig Thomson from the left by-line to the near post, Aiden McGeady makes a clearance. Centre by Craig Thomson, Headed from the edge of the area by David Obua goes wide of the left-hand post.
  • 40:08 David Obua produces a cross.
  • 39:23 Effort from outside the penalty area by Calum Elliot goes wide left of the goal.
  • 37:15 Corner taken right-footed by Craig Thomson from the left by-line, clearance by Edson Braafheid.
  • 35:57 Assist on the goal came from Craig Thomson.
  • 35:57 GOAL – Marius Zaliukas:Hearts 1 – 1 Celtic Marius Zaliukas fires in a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Hearts 1-1 Celtic.
  • 35:20 Darren O'Dea challenges Calum Elliot unfairly and gives away a free kick. The ball is crossed by Craig Thomson,
  • 34:34 The ball is sent over by Jason Thomson, David Obua takes a shot. Save made by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 34:25 The ball is delivered by Jason Thomson, Darren O'Dea manages to make a clearance.
  • 34:00 Marius Zaliukas sends in a cross, comfortable save by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 33:17 Foul by Marc-Antoine Fortune on Ryan Stevenson, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Laryea Kingston.
  • 31:48 Corner taken by Craig Thomson from the left by-line to the near post, Scott Brown manages to make a clearance.
  • 31:31 The ball is swung over by David Obua, clearance by Darren O'Dea.
  • 29:33 Eggert Jonsson fouled by Mark Wilson, the ref awards a free kick. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.
  • 28:48 Eggert Jonsson fouled by Josh Thompson, the ref awards a free kick. Laryea Kingston restarts play with the free kick.
  • 27:20 Foul by Craig Thomson on Marc-Antoine Fortune, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed right-footed by Mark Wilson.
  • 26:06 Shot from outside the penalty box by Marc-Antoine Fortune goes wide right of the goal.
  • 25:30 Foul by Ismael Bouzid on Robbie Keane, free kick awarded. Scott Brown takes the direct free kick.
  • 23:35 Free kick awarded for a foul by Laryea Kingston on Aiden McGeady. Marc-Antoine Fortune restarts play with the free kick. Marc-Antoine Fortune produces a right-footed shot from outside the penalty box and misses wide left of the target.
  • 22:20 Assist by Aiden McGeady.
  • 22:20 GOAL – Robbie Keane:Hearts 0 – 1 Celtic Robbie Keane finds the net with a goal from the edge of the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Hearts 0-1 Celtic.
  • 21:08 The ball is delivered by Aiden McGeady.
  • 20:01 Marius Zaliukas gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Marc-Antoine Fortune. Direct free kick taken by Mark Wilson.
  • 19:11 The assistant referee signals for offside against Calum Elliot. Darren O'Dea takes the direct free kick.
  • 18:51 Craig Thomson delivers the ball, save made by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 18:34 David Obua delivers the ball, Edson Braafheid makes a clearance.
  • 17:04 Foul by Zheng Zhi on Eggert Jonsson, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Marius Zaliukas.
  • 13:40 Free kick awarded for a foul by Josh Thompson on David Obua. Laryea Kingston takes the free kick.
  • 12:08 Mark Wilson challenges Calum Elliot unfairly and gives away a free kick. Laryea Kingston restarts play with the free kick.
  • 9:48 Corner taken by Craig Thomson from the right by-line, Foul by Ismael Bouzid on Zheng Zhi, free kick awarded. Lukasz Zaluska takes the direct free kick.
  • 9:17 Robbie Keane is ruled offside. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.
  • 8:09 Foul by Jason Thomson on Marc-Antoine Fortune, free kick awarded. Scott Brown restarts play with the free kick.
  • 6:04 Craig Thomson has a shot on goal from outside the box which misses left.
  • 5:06 Marc-Antoine Fortune is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
  • 3:53 Laryea Kingston concedes a free kick for a foul on Scott Brown. Free kick crossed by Edson Braafheid, clearance made by Marius Zaliukas.
  • 1:44 A cross is delivered by Zheng Zhi.
  • 0:37 The assistant referee signals for offside against Calum Elliot. Lukasz Zaluska restarts play with the free kick.
  • 0:09 David Obua concedes a free kick for a foul on Edson Braafheid. Edson Braafheid restarts play with the free kick.
  • 0:00 The referee gets the game underway.