Match Pictures | Matches: 2021 – 2022
Trivia
- KO: 8pm (Saturday night!) believed to accommodate sky tv due to British lions rugby, Olympics clashes etc
- First league game of the season
- Celtic suffered opening-day defeat for the first time in 24 years
- Hearts raise the second tier title flag they won last season, now promoted back.
- Hearts goal by ex Celt Gary Mackay Stevens. Celtic goal chopped off wrongly for being offside. Ex-Celt Craig Gordon in goals made some great saves.
- First domestic competition game for new Celtic manager Ange Postecoglu, managerial league debut.
- Hearts docked two points (league cup group) and fined £10,000 by the Scottish Professional Football League after fielding an ineligible player in their League Cup win over Cove Rangers.
- Olympics: Tokyo games, Scotland’s Duncan Scott has won 4 medals in the pool (inc one gold). Irish pair win a gold in the rowing. Congrats.
- Society & Drugs: Newly released figures show that 1,339 people lost their lives to drugs in Scotland during 2020, largest number since records began in 1996 and the worst rate in Europe. At 350 deaths per million people, Scotland’s figure is far in excess of the places with the next most serious problems.
Covid
- Restricted numbers at the game.
- Concerns that third jab may be needed.
Summary
“We need to start strongly tomorrow, with a performance and with a result, but there’s no doubt in mind that as the season goes on, we’ll get stronger and we’ll see how far that takes us.”
Ange Postecoglou
Ange “I want us to stick to the principles we’ve been doing in training and putting on a performance that I want us to display is just as important”.
“I’m still on the same planet mate, I haven’t come from outer space. You’d be surprised how much I know about Hearts.”
Ange Postecoglou before the match
Postecoglou: “People have asked me about bringing my own people in, well, it’s not the coaching area that I think we need that extra support in. The areas we need are particularly in the conditioning area and the sports science area, we need some more people in to help us.”
“We can’t afford time, we’ve got to start getting results.”
Ange Postecoglou
Ange “Parts of our game were dominant in certain areas. The front third at times the quality of our play is lacking at the moment. To be fair to our players there’s a lack of cohesion there as I’ve just thrown them together but we should do better defensively with set piece”.
Craig Levein on @BBCRadioScot“ I detect an undercurrent of anger” on Ange dealing with Scottish Media
BBC – Celtic suffered opening-day defeat for the first time in 24 years – and Ange Postecoglou’s chastening start as manager continued – as Hearts made a winning Scottish Premiership return
Twitter:
Paul larkin – It will get lost in the ether but Halliday should’ve been gone, the Abada goal was fine and never a free kick for the winner. (Not excuses, just facts) We have to put up with that though because cowards run Celtic and never want to upset anyone bar our fans.
JBcity: How was Halliday not given at least a card if not a red card for his challenge on McGregor? His challenge wasn’t even carded. A disgrace! Ange Postecoglou will now know what he’s up against when it comes to Scottish referees. Not even a yellow
St Ants -Remember Ange’s first press conference with the fans’ reps last month ? Remember the guy who made the point about referees and was ridiculed for it ? Just saying.
Teams
Celtic
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 29Bain
- 56Ralston
- 6Bitton
- 4Starfelt
- 3Taylor
- 12Soro Substituted forRogicat 90′minutes
- 42McGregor
- 11Abada Substituted forFuruhashiat 79′minutes
- 14Turnbull Substituted forChristieat 79′minutes
- 49Forrest
- 22Edouard
Substitutes
- 1Barkas
- 8Furuhashi
- 10Ajeti
- 17Christie
- 18Rogic
- 54Montgomery
- 57Welsh
Goals:Ralston (54′ minutes)
Assists: Edouard
Hearts
Formation 3-4-3
- 1Gordon
- 4Souttar
- 19Halkett
- 3Kingsley
- 2Smith
- 6Baningime
- 16Halliday
- 17Cochrane
- 30Ginnelly
- Substituted forGnanduilletat 77′minutes
- 10Boyce
- 11Mackay-Steven Substituted forHaringat 68′minutes
Substitutes
- 5Haring
- 8McEneff
- 13Stewart
- 21Gnanduillet
- 22Henderson
- 27Smith
- 28Pollock
Goals:
- Mackay-Steven (8′ minutes),
- Souttar (89′ minutes)
Assists:
- Souttar (89′ minutes)
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Stats
- Possession
- Home26%
- Away74%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away19
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away7
- Corners
- Home6
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home4
- Away11
Match Links
Articles
John Souttar the hero as Hearts return to the Premiership and ruin Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic league debut
An 89th-minute header from John Souttar got Hearts’ Premiership return off to an inspired start as Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic league debut ended in defeat at Tynecastle Park.
A dramtic ending to the opening game saw Souttar’s header spark delirium and compound Celtic’s misery following a midweek Champions League exit. Gary Mackay-Steven scored after eight minutes but Anthony Ralston’s second-half equaliser had looked sufficient to earn the visitors a draw.
It seemed fitting that Souttar played such a pivotal role in the final outcome. The Scotland internationalist has spent months recovering from a ruptured Achilles and only resumed competitive action in the spring.
He rose to meet Michael Smith’s free-kick in the dying minutes and nod newly-promoted Hearts to their first three points back in Scotland’s top flight. They received the Championship trophy and raised the flag prior to kick-off but the real noise was reserved for late in this Saturday evening encounter.
Questions will be raised about Celtic’s defending at both goals, with Postecoglou’s settling-in period proving notably tumultuous. He badly needs more reinforcements, specifically a goalkeeper, right-back, centre-back and possibly left-back.
That’s just for starters. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise that no fans from Glasgow were allowed inside Tynecastle. Their reaction to this result would have been the proverbial roasting for the new man.
Both managers granted debuts to new signings in an attempt to start the league season positively. Beni Baningime, registered on Friday following his arrival from Everton, was pitched into the centre of Hearts’ midfield by Robbie Neilson. The Congolese enjoyed a strong first outing for his new club and looks like he will become a real asset once fully settled.
Postecoglou named £4.2million Carl Starfelt alongside Nir Bitton at centre-back after bringing the Swede to Glasgow from Rubin Kazan. Japanese winger Kyogo Furuhashi was among the substitutes after completing a mandatory quarantine following his move to the UK from Vissel Kobe.
Pockets of Celtic fans could be seen and heard around the Gorgie Streets in the build-up to this match. There were scuffles with Hearts supporters until police arrived, although none of those clad in green and white were granted entry to Tynecastle.
It was strictly home fans only by order of Edinburgh City Council and 5,272 was the permitted capacity for the day. As expected, they made quite a din. Not least when the Scottish Professional Football League Championship flag was raised.
Some felt Hearts should refuse the trophy after their enforced relegation last summer and therefore jeering could be heard among the cheers. However, there was widespread joy eight minutes after kick-off when the hosts scored first.
Josh Ginnelly evaded Starfelt, crossed low to Liam Boyce, his prodded shot was deflected into Mackay-Steven’s path, and the winger stroked the ball comfotably into the exposed net of his former club.
It was an ideal start for Hearts but moments later their goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, needed to be alert to save Odsonne Edouard’s header from a corner. Liel Abada then fell in a challenge with Michael Smith inside Gordon’s box but referee Bobby Madden wasn’t interested in penalty appeals.
At 1-0 Neilson’s side were guilty of retreating and inviting their opponents to attack. It allowed Celtic to control play and build concerted pressure. Callum McGregor and Ismaila Soro both tested Gordon from 20 yards, with Neilson frequently bawling from his technical area for players to push up and emerge from the instinctive low block.
Postecoglou’s team weren’t converting possession into a multitude of chances, though. That would have been the Australian’s greatest frustration. Meanwhile, the new-look Parkhead defence appeared vulnerable when questions were asked.
Hearts ventured forward just after the half-hour for Mackay-Steven to flick a loping ball to Smith in behind at an angle. The Northern Irishman blasted his shot wide when a cutback looked the better choice.
The second half started much the same way with hooped jerseys hogging the ball. The probing paid off with the equaliser on 54 minutes. Ralston found himself in an advanced position, took a lay-off from Edouard and dribbled into the home penalty box to dispatch a convincing left-footed finish past Gordon.
Scoring into the Roseburn Stand would normally have caused an eruption at that end of the ground. However, the absence of travelling supporters made for a subdued and altogether rather strange aftermath to the goal.
Levelling the scoreline imbued Celtic with renewed impetus. Their passing became more crisp and runners that bit sharper. Some Hearts players looked slightly jaded in contrast and in need of some fresh legs from the substitutes’ bench.
Their 3-4-3 system had been quite visibly compressed into a 5-4-1 and Peter Haring was the first replacement for Mackay-Steven. That meant a switch to 3-5-2. They regained a foothold in proceedings and this was anyone’s game entering the final 15 minutes.
Bain dived low to his right to stop Souttar’s header before Gordon, at the opposite end, beat away an effort from Celtic substitute Ryan Christie. The Scotland forward had joined Furuhashi on the field to push for three points.
Instead it was the opposition who seized the initiative. An 89th-minute free-kick from Smith was met by Souttar’s towering header, which soared out of Bain’s reach into the net. Celtic’s defending was questionable but Hearts cared not a jot.
Still there was late drama. Gordon produced two breathtaking saves to deny James Forrest and Starfelt inside the final 60 seconds. The final whistle was met by a predictable loud roar as Hearts got their Premiership return off to a rousing start.
Hearts (3-4-3): Gordon; Souttar, Halkett, Kingsley; M Smith, Baningime, Halliday, Cochrane; Ginnelly (Gnanduillet 77), Boyce, Mackay-Steven (Haring 68).
Celtic (4-2-3-1): Bain; Ralston, Bitton, Starfelt, Taylor (Furuhashi 79); Soro (Rogic 89), McGregor; Abada, Turnbull (Christie 79), Forrest; Edouard.
Ange Postecoglou: At some point, the responsibility comes to the Celtic players
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou said there are a few possible reasons for his team being unable to kill off games, but he claimed that at some stage individuals have to take their share of the blame following a 2-1 defeat by Hearts in their cinch Premiership curtain-raiser.
BBC
Celtic suffered opening-day defeat for the first time in 24 years – and Ange Postecoglou’s chastening start as manager continued – as Hearts made a winning Scottish Premiership return.
John Souttar scored with 90 seconds left at a raucous Tynecastle to secure the victory after Anthony Ralston’s stunning solo strike had cancelled out Gary Mackay-Steven’s opener.
A first win for Hearts over Celtic in three years condemned the Glasgow side to a second loss in three games after the midweek Champions League exit.
It means Postecoglou is still searching for a first win, with a Europa League third qualifying round tie in the Czech Republic against FK Jablonec on Thursday next up, before the visit of Dundee next Sunday.
However, after a good League Cup group stage showing, Robbie Neilson’s Hearts have now made it five wins from five this season.
Not for a long time had Celtic began a league campaign in such disarray. Off the back of a trophy-less season, Wednesday’s extra-time defeat by Danish league runners-up Midtjylland had opened new wounds.
They arrived in the capital bolstered by new signings Carl Starfelt and Kyogo Furuhashi, and a performance was needed to galvanise an anxious support.
But, less than 10 minutes in, the crisis headlines were already being written after a calamity in the visiting defence.
Josh Ginnelly bore down the right and got past Starfelt all too easily before feeding Liam Boyce. Nir Bitton took the ball away from the Hearts striker, but only knocked it into the path of an unmarked Mackay-Steven, who tapped in at the far post.
Celtic responded by dominating possession. The lively Odsonne Edouard headed into the hands of Craig Gordon, while Callum McGregor and David Turnbull also threatened. But despite hogging the ball, they couldn’t unsettle the home side.
And, Hearts may well have opened up a two-goal lead before half-time had Craig Halkett or Michael Smith not put efforts from close range over the bar.
Celtic’s nerves were evident. Starfelt was struggling to settle on his debut and Hearts’ boisterous home support sensed it. But just as Celtic wobbled, a touch of quality levelled the score.
Ralston stepped past Andy Halliday, skipped past the lunges of two more maroon shirts, before guiding a composed left foot finish past Gordon.
It lit up what was already a fascinating game, and both sides still believed victory could be theirs.
Celtic soon had the ball in the net again, though Liel Abada’s celebrations were cut short by the assistant’s flag for offside against Greg Taylor, who had crossed for the Israeli.
Scott Bain had to claw away Souttar’s header as Hearts went close, before Gordon punched clear substitute Ryan Christie’s effort.
Japanese forward Furuhashi made his entrance from the bench for Celtic, but it was Hearts who were finishing the stronger of the two, and they got their reward when Souttar rose highest at a free-kick to head home for Hearts.
Yet still the action wasn’t over, as Gordon – released by Celtic last summer – made two stunning late saves.
First James Forrest drove into the box but his near-post effort was blocked at point-blank range, then from the resultant corner, the Scotland goalkeeper tipped away Starfelt’s header acrobatically.
What did we learn?
Celtic had little trouble getting their foot on the ball, but the struggles of last season have yet to be shaken off as they found it hard going in the final third while defensively they have yet to form a solid unit.
Rarely had a side won the Scottish Championship under such a cloud, but Hearts put last season’s fan demonstrations behind them with a performance that suggests they are unlikely to be anywhere near a relegation battle this season.
What they said
Hearts manager Robbie Neilson: “We had 5,500 fans here and it sounded like 20,000, and it’s been a long time since a lot of people have been at a live game. So to send them home happy is great.
“When the fans start putting the energy back on the pitch, especially towards the end of the game, when players start getting that extra yard… they gave us the goal.”
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: “We got into so many good crossing areas and crosses ended up out on the touchline, and shooting opportunities. For me, it’s probably the area we need to improve the most.
“Defensively it’s not like we are being put under pressure for periods of times in any of the games. But when you keep the opposition in the game there’s always a possibility they can hit you from a set-piece or counter-attack.”
Match ends, Heart of Midlothian 2, Celtic 1.
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Heart of Midlothian 2, Celtic 1.
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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Peter Haring.
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Attempt saved. Carl Starfelt (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ryan Christie with a cross.
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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Craig Gordon.
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Attempt saved. James Forrest (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Odsonne Edouard.
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Foul by Anthony Ralston (Celtic).
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Liam Boyce (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Tomas Rogic replaces Ismaila Soro.
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Goal!
Goal! Heart of Midlothian 2, Celtic 1. John Souttar (Heart of Midlothian) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Michael Smith with a cross following a set piece situation.
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Foul by Ismaila Soro (Celtic).
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Peter Haring (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
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Peter Haring (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Craig Halkett (Heart of Midlothian) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Michael Smith with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Greg Taylor.
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Attempt blocked. Liam Boyce (Heart of Midlothian) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Andrew Halliday with a cross.
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Foul by Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic).
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Beni Baningime (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Attempt saved. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Odsonne Edouard.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Ryan Christie replaces David Turnbull.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Kyogo Furuhashi replaces Liel Abada.
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Attempt saved. John Souttar (Heart of Midlothian) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Substitution
Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Armand Gnanduillet replaces Josh Ginnelly.
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Foul by Liel Abada (Celtic).
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Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Carl Starfelt.
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Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Liel Abada.
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Attempt blocked. Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Alex Cochrane.
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Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Carl Starfelt.
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Substitution
Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Peter Haring replaces Gary Mackay-Steven.
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Attempt missed. Ismaila Soro (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by David Turnbull.
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Attempt blocked. Greg Taylor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ismaila Soro.
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Foul by Ismaila Soro (Celtic).
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Beni Baningime (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Offside, Celtic. Callum McGregor tries a through ball, but Greg Taylor is caught offside.
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Attempt saved. Andrew Halliday (Heart of Midlothian) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by John Souttar.
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Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Andrew Halliday (Heart of Midlothian).
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Offside, Heart of Midlothian. Liam Boyce tries a through ball, but Gary Mackay-Steven is caught offside.
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Foul by Ismaila Soro (Celtic).
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Liam Boyce (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Goal!
Goal! Heart of Midlothian 1, Celtic 1. Anthony Ralston (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Odsonne Edouard.
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Offside, Heart of Midlothian. John Souttar tries a through ball, but Josh Ginnelly is caught offside.
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Attempt missed. Anthony Ralston (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Nir Bitton.
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Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Carl Starfelt.
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Second Half
Second Half begins Heart of Midlothian 1, Celtic 0.
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Half Time
First Half ends, Heart of Midlothian 1, Celtic 0.
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Offside, Heart of Midlothian. Craig Halkett tries a through ball, but Josh Ginnelly is caught offside.
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Attempt saved. Ismaila Soro (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Liel Abada.
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Attempt missed. Alex Cochrane (Heart of Midlothian) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Michael Smith with a cross.
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Offside, Heart of Midlothian. Craig Gordon tries a through ball, but Gary Mackay-Steven is caught offside.
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Attempt blocked. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
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Attempt missed. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Liel Abada.
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Foul by Ismaila Soro (Celtic).
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Beni Baningime (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Carl Starfelt (Celtic).
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Liam Boyce (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt saved. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
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Attempt missed. Michael Smith (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high. Assisted by Gary Mackay-Steven.
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Attempt missed. Liel Abada (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is too high. Assisted by David Turnbull.
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Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Andrew Halliday (Heart of Midlothian).
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Offside, Heart of Midlothian. Liam Boyce tries a through ball, but Michael Smith is caught offside.
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Attempt blocked. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Craig Halkett.
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Attempt missed. Liel Abada (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Anthony Ralston.
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Offside, Heart of Midlothian. Craig Gordon tries a through ball, but Liam Boyce is caught offside.
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Hand ball by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
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Attempt missed. Liam Boyce (Heart of Midlothian) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Michael Smith with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Nir Bitton.
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Offside, Heart of Midlothian. Stephen Kingsley tries a through ball, but Alex Cochrane is caught offside.
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Attempt missed. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
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Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Beni Baningime (Heart of Midlothian).
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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Stephen Kingsley.
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Attempt saved. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by David Turnbull with a cross.
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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Michael Smith.
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Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Attempt blocked. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Craig Halkett (Heart of Midlothian).
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Goal!
Goal! Heart of Midlothian 1, Celtic 0. Gary Mackay-Steven (Heart of Midlothian) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner.
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Attempt blocked. Liam Boyce (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Foul by Ismaila Soro (Celtic).
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Beni Baningime (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt missed. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
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Offside, Heart of Midlothian. John Souttar tries a through ball, but Michael Smith is caught offside.
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Kick Off
First Half begins.
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Lineups are announced and players are warming up.