2021-12-02: Celtic 1-0 Heart of Midlothian, League

Match Pictures | Matches: 2021 – 2022

Trivia

  • KO: 19:45, Thursday on Sky TV
  • Big month ahead this is the first of nine games scheduled for December!
  • Sevco won v Hibs with a late penalty and some interesting refereeing throughout (quell surprise)!
  • Protests at Celtic game over proposed employment for Bernard Higgins for the Safety control role at Celtic. Protests & banners are going global with sympathising support from other clubs abroad showing solidarity. Sadly Celtic have kept schtum and have limited the banner protests that were being organised for today’s match!
  • Bobby Madden referee is a sham of a referee and a disgrace today. Hearts should have had a number of yellow cards but first wan’t until 80mins and that was for a Celtic player! First Hearts man to get a yellow was their manager.
  • Loads of injuries. Jota off with hamstring, Ralston off too and then Starflet injured but carried on.
  • Scotland head of referees in unprecedented moved went on Radio Scotland on Sat following to opine on the disputed Celtic goal from last Wednesday and makes the situation worse! Has this ever been done before? It was a goal and onside! There should be no dispute and he shouldn’t undermine his colleagues, clear bias against Celtic.
  • On other move, there was offside call v Celtic despite three Celts on side!!! Bizarre.
  • Post-match: This match created a storm. To divert attention from the incompetency of the referee against Celtic, a campaign started with arch-huns claiming the Kyogo goal was ‘blatantly offside’ (it was on-side) and that he was a serial cheat who was trying to get others sent off!
  • Scottish Cup – Alloa v Celtic in fourth round in the draw.
  • Reports that Sundays game v Dundee Utd could be called off due to expected storms. @dundeeunitedfc have confirmed that, following storm damage being caused to the Jerry Kerr Stand, it will now be closed for match
  • Dundee United have been forced to close one of their stands at Tannadice for Sunday’s match against Celtic, meaning that around 2,000 visiting supporters will not be able to attend the cinch Premiership match.
  • Reports of ex Celt Frimpong off potentially to Real Madrid!
  • Hibs win Celtic League Cup Final ticket fight as SPFL hand over extra briefs, prebviously Celtic were getting more tickets than the traditional equal split.
  • Former Celtic manager and winner of two Scottish titles Ronny Deila has made history in the US with his current team New York City FC by reaching the MLS Eastern Conference Final. The Norwegian boss has achieved this historical feat by beating New England Revolution, guiding the New York club to its first final since its inception.
  • Celtic coach Gavin Strachan has passed on moving back south to become Hartlepool manager. He has been heavily criticised at Celtic so mixed response from some. But credit his loyalty to the club.
  • Carter-Vickers – reports in tabloids that at end of loan with Celtic to convert to permanent  it will be £10m. Moat are not impressed with these figures or believe their are accurate.
  • In England, Derby Cty FC face LIQUIDATION unless HMRC agree to write off more than £20m of debt.
  • Covid Masks back in forced use across the UK due to new covid strains. People getting  booster jab,third in the year. Omicron variant.

Summary

“It’s a goal mate.” Ange Postecoglou

“We didn’t get beat by Celtic. We got beat by poor decisions from the officials.” Robbie Neilson

Q: “You can understand his (Robbie Neilson’s) frustration though?”

Ange: “No I can’t, no I can’t. If anyone thinks the referee decided that game they’re watching a different game than I am. We probably should have won by more.” Ange Postecoglou

“The referees have helped Celtic again. It’s offside.” Kris Boyd (lying out of his arse)

“It’s marginal. There’s nothing in it let’s be honest.” Christophe Berra

Starfelt is Celtic’s man of the match and few would disagree. Excellent performance from him.

Couple of idiots threw plastic bottles at Hearts player taking corners! Disgraceful and unacceptable.

Post-match

Scotland head of referees Crawford Allen in unprecedented moved went on Radio Scotland on Sat following to opine on the disputed Celtic goal from last Wednesday and makes the situation worse! Has this ever been done before? It was a goal and onside! There should be no dispute and he shouldn’t undermine his colleagues, clear bias against Celtic.
“I’ve said all along since I’ve been in this role that I’ll support referees when I can and I’ll come out and say when there is an error.

“On this one it’s absolutely understandable, from my point of view, at real speed that, as the ball comes across. Kyogo, is he in front of the defender? Yeah, he probably is.

“You’ve then got to look at the angle of the ball and the speed of it at real time. At real time, at real speed – it’s very, very tight. It’s an understandable decision, it’s one that if we had virtual offside lines, that VAR can put on, could help with. It’s something in the big picture that we are looking at.

“It’s an understandable decision. Do I think it’s offside? Yeah, I probably do. But is it understandable that the assistant didn’t give it? I can absolutely see why he didn’t give it as well.”

Post-match: This match created a storm. To divert attention from the incompetency of the referee against Celtic, a campaign started with arch-huns claiming the Kyogo goal was ‘blatantly offside’ (it was on-side) and that he was a serial cheat who was trying to get others sent off!

Then: ‘Staggered’ ex-Hearts chief Leslie Deans calls for controversial clash to be replayed or points forfeited

Twitter:
Krys: Great performance from Starfelt tonight. Looked ropey at Tynecastle when we first saw him and maybe took a while to settle even after that, but he was terrific tonight. Considering we lost two of the back four tonight to injury it was needed even more.

AP:Tough game. Squad is lightweight. Winning is all that counts just now. Injuries may prove problematic. Once Plan A runs out of steam or is upset by changes, Plan B is not assured. Chances need to be taken, but weren’t.

ETims: Loads of good attacking play. Should have scored more. Loads of infuriating defensive play (as a team) that almost sold goals. Loads of injuries that impacted us. End to end cavalier madness. Special doff of the cap to Starfelt who made some tremendous challenges

AgentScotland: Big win for Celtic, they were excellent in the first half & zipped the ball about well, it was a real end to end battle in the second, 3 points is huge but this squad can’t afford to lose numbers & CCV, Jota, Ralston & Welsh picking up injuries makes a difficult job even harder.

Teams

Celtic:

Formation 4-3-3

  • 15Hart
  • 56Ralston
  • Substituted forMontgomeryat 37′minutesBooked at 84mins
  • 57Welsh
  • Substituted forBittonat 73′minutes
  • 4Starfelt
  • 88Juranovic
  • 18Rogic
  • 42McGregor
  • 14Turnbull
  • 49Forrest
  • 8Furuhashi
  • 17Neves Filipe
  • Substituted forJohnstonat 72′minutes

Substitutes

  • 6Bitton
  • 10Ajeti
  • 11Abada
  • 16McCarthy
  • 19Johnston
  • 29Bain
  • 54Montgomery

Goals:

  • Furuhashi (33′ minutes)

Assists:

  • Ralston (33′ minutes)

Hearts

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Gordon
  • 2Smith
  • 4Souttar
  • 19Halkett
  • 3Kingsley
  • 14Devlin
  • 5Haring
  • 9Woodburn
  • Substituted forBoyceat 55′minutes
  • 8McEneff
  • Substituted forMackay-Stevenat 66′minutes
  • 18McKay
  • 30Ginnelly

Substitutes

  • 10Boyce
  • 11Mackay-Steven
  • 13Stewart
  • 15Moore
  • 17Cochrane
  • 21Gnanduillet
  • 38Pollock

Ref: Bobby Madden
Att:

Articles

  • Match Report (see below)

Pictures

Match Links

Stats

Celtic
Hearts
Possession
Home69%
Away31%
Shots
Home25
Away9
Shots on Target
Home5
Away2
Corners
Home13
Away6
Fouls
Home12
Away9

Articles

Celtic 1 Hearts 0: Furuhashi’s controversial opener settles mesmerising match

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-1-hearts-0-furuhashis-controversial-opener-settles-mesmerising-match-3480677

Cetic won’t want to give it any headroom after they clung on for a 1-0 success over Hearts that closes the gap on cinch Premiership leaders Rangers to four points once more.
By Andrew Smith
Thursday, 2nd December 2021, 10:17 pm
Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates after scoring to make it 1-0 during the cinch Premiership match between Celtic and Hearts. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)
Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates after scoring to make it 1-0 during the cinch Premiership match between Celtic and Hearts. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)
1

comments

HAVE YOUR SAY

You feel, though, that there requires to be some part of Robbie Neilson that will wonder what could have ensued from a pulsating encounter at Celtic Park had he gone for it as really was only true for a closing, ding-dong half-hour that provided marvellous entertainment.

The transformation in his team was remarkable when the Tynecastle manager switched to the Mark II version of his team. From appearing punch drunk as they played rope-a-dope and Celtic squandered opportunities, the introduction of Liam Boyce and Gary Mackay-Steven left Celtic looking dazed and confused – even if Joe Hart wasn’t seriously tested.
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What Neilson is sure to turn over exasperatingly in his mind will be the questionable officiating that has condemned his side to slipping five points behind Celtic, having played a game more.
Tom Rogic (centre) controls the ball surrounded by Hearts players on his return to the Celtic team. (Jane Barlow/PA Wire)
Tom Rogic (centre) controls the ball surrounded by Hearts players on his return to the Celtic team. (Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

Celtic were slick and incisive, with zip to their tempo as they shuttled the ball around that threatened to see them give their visitors a chasing. And from one such move came their decisive 33th minute separator of the sides. It was stirring stuff as Tom Rogic played Anthony Ralston down the right for the right-back to curl his foot around the ball and send over a sumptuous cross that Kyogo Furahashi bounded forward to finish first-time. But television replays seemed to show that the Japanese striker was offside when the ball left the foot of Ralston, shortly afterwards lost to injury.

Neilson’s tolerance of Bobby Madden’s performance, which seemed infuriating to both sides and their supporters, evaporated five minutes from normal time when Mackay-Steven appeared to be clipped by Rogic on the edge of the box, but elected to re-steady himself rather than go down. Though Barrie McKay – who appeared to be pelted with coins and a bottle taking a corner late on – could have made that academic had he not then seconds later tugged a low effort wide with the goal gaping. The Hearts manager’s ire over the rejected penalty claim earned him a yellow card.

By then the two teams were trading chances like nobody’s business, with James Forrest thwarted by Craig Gordon when he had only the keeper to beat in the closing minutes. By then the entire Celtic team seemed beset by the jitters, though, with the injury loss of Ralston and then Stephen Welsh leaving them with a patchwork back four in which the returning Carl Starfelt excelled. Their cause not helped by Jota also being forced off with a knock.

In terms of big performers, predictably, Gordon was also in the frame for the most valuable of the evening, pulling off several flying stops. His old team-mate Forrest had two occasions to curse him, the first arriving only in eight minutes when the Scotland keeper was a full stretch to block a curling drive from Jota. Somehow, he got himself back up to tickle the ball and prevent the Celtic winger knocking the ball in from two yards, incredibly the 30-year-old thumping the post when it seemed impossible for him not to score. It was one of the many slack-jawed inducing moments of a mesmerising contest.

Robbie Neilson rages at referee Bobby Madden and assistant for Kyogo ‘offside’ goal and Jota injury halt

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/robbie-neilson-rages-at-referee-bobby-madden-and-assistant-for-kyogo-offside-goal-and-jota-injury-halt-3480696
An enraged Robbie Neilson rounded on assistant referee Alan Mulvanny for his failure to flag in the lead-up to Kyogo Furuhashi’s goal that cost his Hearts team at least a point at Celtic Park.
By Andrew Smith
Thursday, 2nd December 2021, 11:06 pm

Television replays showed that the Japanese striker was in front of the cross from Anthony Ralston for his 33rd minute win in an engrossing spectacle in Glasgow’s east end. The location all too relevant for an embittered Neilson, who witnessed his side take the game to their hosts in an epic closing stages.

“I felt we didn’t get beaten by Celtic, we got beaten by poor decisions by the referee and linesman,” said Neilson in also implicating man in the middle Bobby Madden.
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“We can all laugh and joke about these things. I made a comment after our game at Ibrox [that ended 1-1] and got the book thrown at me, so I can’t say too much about this one. But it’s offside. He’s ahead of the ball. The linesman has got to see it. I’ve seen it, everyone would agree. The linesman had a brilliant view. I tried to speak to the officials but it’s a waste of time. You end up just getting banned or getting yellow or red cards. I’m sure the linesman and referee will have a look at it, they’ll WhatsApp each other and they’ll move on to the next game.”
Hearts manager Robbie Neilson appeals to fourth official Willie Collum during Hearts’ defeat to Celtic. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Hearts manager Robbie Neilson appeals to fourth official Willie Collum during Hearts’ defeat to Celtic. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Neilson was also despairing over Madden’s decision to stop the game when Celtic winger Jota went down with a hamstring issue midway through the second period. “I’d end up going to jail if I said what I really think about it,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. The boy pulls his hamstring and the referee stops the game and gives them the ball back when we’re going to counter-attack. But that’s Scottish football, you’re in Glasgow.

“I have two emotions – frustration because we got done by a poor decision for the goal. The second one is pride in the players because I thought we played exceptionally well, especially in the second half. I thought we pressed the game, got up on it and had belief in ourselves. We came here in the [Premier Sports] cup three months ago and we couldn’t get in the game [before losing 3-2]. Tonight’s performance is what we need to get to and we need to do it consistently. And we need to score goals off the back of it.”

Neilson could also only have been left dismayed by an incident in the second half when Barrie McKay was struck by a bottle as he prepared to take a corner at the corner of the ground occupied by Celtic ultras group the Green Brigade.

“I only found out coming down the tunnel when somebody came and asked him if he got hit on the back with a bottle. I don’t know the ins and outs so I’m not going to say too much about it, but it is disappointing.”

BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59411768

By Thomas DuncanBBC Scotland

Last updated on

2 December 20212 December 2021.From the section Scottish Premiership
Watch Kyogo’s controversial Celtic winner

Kyogo Furuhashi’s contentious goal gave Celtic a win against Hearts and narrowed the gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

The Japanese forward darted to the front post to turn in Anthony Ralston’s cross but appeared to have strayed offside.

Celtic dominated for long spells but came up against stubborn Hearts defending, and the visitors had chances to earn a draw through Stephen Kingsley and Barrie McKay amid a strong finish.

Celtic’s victory takes them back to four points behind leaders Rangers, and moves them five clear of Hearts in third.

But the bad news for manager Ange Postecoglou came with injuries to Ralston, influential forward Jota, and defender Stephen Welsh with eight games still to play before the end of the month, including the League Cup final.

Reaction & as it happened
Dundee Utd close stand for Celtic visit

Celtic had won 18 of their last 19 home league meetings against Hearts, drawing one, and their dominance in the first half suggested that record would be bolstered.

Every statistic was in the home side’s favour at the break as they racked up shots on goal. The best effort before the breakthrough was James Forrest’s close-range strike off a post, which Craig Gordon foiled by touching the ball on to the winger as he steadied himself.

Kyogo’s goal was reward for Celtic’s pressure as he again showed sharp movement in the box to beat Craig Halkett to Ralston’s terrific cross, but replays did show the forward had gone too early.

Hearts had done a decent job of defending their penalty box despite posing little threat, but they improved in an attacking sense after the break as Liam Boyce and Gary Mackay-Steven came off the bench.

The latter had a brilliant chance late on to level but stumbled when sprinting through on goal, with McKay then flashing the ball just past the far post in the same move.

Kingsley ought to have brought his side level before that, as he escaped the attentions of the entire Celtic team to get on the end of McKay’s corner, only to guide his header wide.

It was a strong finish from Hearts, but Celtic could have easily added more goals as the game became stretched with Gordon denying Forrest and Tom Rogic, and David Turnbull firing wide.
Man of the match – David Turnbull
David Turnbull
Turnbull was influential in attack for Celtic, making six key passes. Craig Halkett defended brilliantly for Hearts, too.
What did we learn?

For an hour, Celtic played really well. They shifted the ball quickly and their movement off the ball was excellent with Callum McGregor driving the team forward from the base of midfield.

While it looked offside, the goal was a well-worked move that went from one flank to the other at speed.

Turnbull and the returning Rogic looked good too, though the frustration will be that for the second game running Celtic’s dominance did not result in enough goals to secure victory early.

Squad depth is a familiar issue and it will be severely tested if Ralston, Welsh, and Jota are out for long spells amid a congested fixture list.

Hearts should be pleased with their performance, while obviously frustrated at the nature of the winning goal. Although they were up against it in the first half, defenders John Souttar and Craig Halkett put in lots of blocks to deny Celtic and keep them in the game.

The substitutions in the second half gave the visitors much more influence in attack as Boyce was able to hold on to the ball better, and they had good chances to snatch a draw.
What they said

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: “It was a game with a fair bit on it which is great, it’s what you want for the supporters. We were just missing being more ruthless. At 1-0, the opposition are always in it but I think Joe [Hart] only had one save to really make, we defended very well I thought.

Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson: “I was delighted with the players, especially the second half I thought we had the better of the game,” he said. “We played on the front foot, pressed Celtic and created chances.”

  • Match ends, Celtic 1, Heart of Midlothian 0.

  • Full Time

    Second Half ends, Celtic 1, Heart of Midlothian 0.

  • Post update

    Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Josip Juranovic.

  • Post update

    Josip Juranovic (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  • Post update

    Foul by Peter Haring (Heart of Midlothian).

  • Post update

    Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Cameron Devlin.

  • Post update

    Attempt blocked. David Turnbull (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by James Forrest.

  • Post update

    Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Michael Johnston.

  • Post update

    Attempt blocked. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by James Forrest.

  • Post update

    Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Craig Halkett.

  • Post update

    Attempt blocked. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Michael Johnston.

  • Post update

    Attempt saved. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner.

  • Post update

    Attempt missed. Barrie McKay (Heart of Midlothian) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right.

  • Post update

    Attempt saved. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Kyogo Furuhashi.

  • Post update

    Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Craig Gordon.

  • Booking

    Adam Montgomery (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  • Post update

    Foul by Adam Montgomery (Celtic).

  • Post update

    Gary Mackay-Steven (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  • Post update

    Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Carl Starfelt.

  • Post update

    Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Josip Juranovic.

  • Post update

    Attempt missed. Michael Johnston (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by David Turnbull.

  • Substitution

    Substitution, Celtic. Nir Bitton replaces Stephen Welsh because of an injury.

  • Substitution

    Substitution, Celtic. Michael Johnston replaces Jota because of an injury.

  • Post update

    Attempt blocked. Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Liam Boyce.

  • Post update

    Adam Montgomery (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  • Post update

    Foul by Peter Haring (Heart of Midlothian).

  • Post update

    Attempt missed. Craig Halkett (Heart of Midlothian) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Barrie McKay with a cross following a corner.

  • Post update

    Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Josip Juranovic.

  • Post update

    Attempt blocked. Liam Boyce (Heart of Midlothian) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Peter Haring.

  • Post update

    Attempt missed. Liam Boyce (Heart of Midlothian) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Barrie McKay.

  • Post update

    Attempt saved. Barrie McKay (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

  • Substitution

    Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Gary Mackay-Steven replaces Aaron McEneff.

  • Post update

    Foul by Jota (Celtic).

  • Post update

    Cameron Devlin (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  • Post update

    Attempt missed. Josip Juranovic (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Jota.

  • Post update

    Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Carl Starfelt.

  • Post update

    Foul by David Turnbull (Celtic).

  • Post update

    Peter Haring (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  • Post update

    Adam Montgomery (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  • Post update

    Foul by Liam Boyce (Heart of Midlothian).

  • Post update

    Attempt missed. Stephen Kingsley (Heart of Midlothian) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Barrie McKay with a cross following a corner.

  • Post update

    Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Carl Starfelt.

  • Post update

    Foul by Jota (Celtic).

  • Post update

    Cameron Devlin (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  • Post update

    Attempt missed. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by James Forrest with a cross.

  • Post update

    Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  • Post update

    Foul by Liam Boyce (Heart of Midlothian).

  • Substitution

    Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Liam Boyce replaces Ben Woodburn.

  • Post update

    Foul by Josip Juranovic (Celtic).

  • Post update

    Barrie McKay (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  • Post update

    Corner, Celtic. Conceded by John Souttar.

  • Post update

    Attempt blocked. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Josip Juranovic.

  • Post update

    Offside, Celtic. Jota tries a through ball, but Carl Starfelt is caught offside.

  • Post update

    Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Craig Halkett.

  • Post update

    Attempt blocked. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

  • Post update

    Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  • Post update

    Foul by Aaron McEneff (Heart of Midlothian).

  • Post update

    Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Craig Halkett.

  • Post update

    Attempt blocked. David Turnbull (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Josip Juranovic.

  • Post update

    Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).

  • Post update

    Cameron Devlin (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  • Post update

    Foul by Adam Montgomery (Celtic).

  • Post update

    Ben Woodburn (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  • Second Half

    Second Half begins Celtic 1, Heart of Midlothian 0.

  • Half Time

    First Half ends, Celtic 1, Heart of Midlothian 0.

  • Post update

    Offside, Celtic. Jota tries a through ball, but Callum McGregor is caught offside.

  • Post update

    Foul by Jota (Celtic).

  • Post update

    Barrie McKay (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  • Substitution

    Substitution, Celtic. Adam Montgomery replaces Anthony Ralston because of an injury.

  • Goal!

    Goal! Celtic 1, Heart of Midlothian 0. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Anthony Ralston with a cross.

  • Post update

    Attempt saved. Craig Halkett (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

  • Post update

    Foul by Carl Starfelt (Celtic).

  • Post update

    Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  • Post update

    Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Stephen Welsh.

  • Post update

    Attempt blocked. Josip Juranovic (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by David Turnbull.

  • Post update

    Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).

  • Post update

    Ben Woodburn (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  • Post update

    Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Craig Gordon.

  • Post update

    Attempt saved. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner.

  • Post update

    Corner, Celtic. Conceded by John Souttar.

  • Post update

    Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  • Post update

    Foul by Peter Haring (Heart of Midlothian).

  • Post update

    Attempt missed. Anthony Ralston (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Tomas Rogic following a corner.

  • Post update

    Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Cameron Devlin.

  • Post update

    Attempt missed. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by David Turnbull.

  • Post update

    Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Aaron McEneff.

  • Post update

    Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  • Post update

    Foul by Cameron Devlin (Heart of Midlothian).

  • Post update

    Foul by Anthony Ralston (Celtic).

  • Post update

    Stephen Kingsley (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  • Post update

    Offside, Heart of Midlothian. Stephen Kingsley tries a through ball, but Josh Ginnelly is caught offside.

  • Post update

    Attempt missed. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.

  • Post update

    Foul by Jota (Celtic).

  • Post update

    Peter Haring (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  • Post update

    James Forrest (Celtic) hits the right post with a left footed shot from very close range.

  • Post update

    Attempt saved. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by David Turnbull.

  • Post update

    Attempt blocked. Josh Ginnelly (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by John Souttar.

  • Post update

    Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Josip Juranovic.

  • Post update

    Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by David Turnbull.

  • Post update

    Attempt missed. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Jota following a corner.

  • Post update

    Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Stephen Kingsley.

  • Post update

    Attempt blocked. Carl Starfelt (Celtic) header from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by David Turnbull with a cross.

  • Post update

    Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  • Post update

    Foul by Craig Halkett (Heart of Midlothian).

  • Post update

    Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Craig Halkett.

  • Post update

    Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Craig Halkett.

  • Post update

    Offside, Celtic. Jota tries a through ball, but Kyogo Furuhashi is caught offside.

  • Post update

    Anthony Ralston (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  • Post update

    Foul by Barrie McKay (Heart of Midlothian).

  • Kick Off

    First Half begins.

  • Post update

    Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Referee chief delivers verdict on ‘offside’ Celtic goal and Jota injury stoppage against Hearts
By David Irvine @divirvine Sports Writer
Referee chief delivers verdict on ‘offside’ Celtic goal and Jota injury stoppage

Referee chief delivers verdict on ‘offside’ Celtic goal and Jota injury stoppage
9 comments

REFEREE chief Crawford Allan has given his thoughts on Celtic’s controversial winner over Hearts admitting it was “probably” offside.

Japanese forward Kyogo scored the winner at Parkhead from Anthony Ralston’s cross, but the goal sparked heated debate on whether it should’ve counted.

Referee on the night Bobby Madden awarded the goal as linesman Alan Mulvanny kept his flag down.

It sparked furious protests from Hearts boss Robbie Neilson both during the match and in his post-match press conference.

Now, Allan has stated that the goal should’ve been ruled out but conceded it was understandable for the officials to award the goal.

Speaking on BBC Sportsound, Allan commented: “I’ve said all along since I’ve been in this role that I’ll support referees when I can and I’ll come out and say when there is an error.

“On this one it’s absolutely understandable, from my point of view, at real speed that, as the ball comes across. Kyogo, is he in front of the defender? Yeah, he probably is.

“You’ve then got to look at the angle of the ball and the speed of it at real time. At real time, at real speed – it’s very, very tight. It’s an understandable decision, it’s one that if we had virtual offside lines, that VAR can put on, could help with. It’s something in the big picture that we are looking at.

“It’s an understandable decision. Do I think it’s offside? Yeah, I probably do. But is it understandable that the assistant didn’t give it? I can absolutely see why he didn’t give it as well.”

And while Allan was understanding of the mistake to award the goal, he did state that Madden was wrong to award Celtic a drop ball after Jota pulled up injured.

The Celtic winger was driving with the ball and being challenged by Hearts players when he pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring knock.

Madden stopped play, just after Hearts had regained the ball, but awarded Celtic a drop ball instead of the visitors.

And while Allan slammed the drop ball decision, he insisted the match can be stopped for serious injuries even if he wasn’t convinced by the hamstring knock.

He said: “It’s not just head knocks, it’s serious injury to a player.

“You can argue all day long whether that was a serious injury to a player to stop the game.

“The fact the player got taken off and replaced, Bobby’s decision at the time was that he was very close to it.

“I’ve spoken to Bobby about this, and he said that it was clear the player was in severe pain. It wasn’t just one where the player falls and screams. He said it was clear to him that an injury had occurred and he stopped the game because of that.

“Now that’s Bobby’s opinion in terms of how he does that. It’s in the laws of the game that a referee can stop the game, and it’s his opinion that a player is seriously injured. Is a hamstring a serious injury? Yeah, debatable.

“Where I think there’s definitely the error from our point of view, and I’ve chatted to Bobby on this, was the restart.

“By the time Bobby had brought the whistle to his mouth, which was only less than half a second or so, Hearts then had possession of the ball.

“What should have been done is that Hearts should have had the drop ball and been allowed to retain the possession.

“So that was a very, very quick incident. At the time, his view was that the Celtic player had just stopped playing with it had gone down and when he blew, Celtic still had it.

“But having watched it and spoken to Bobby, it’s clear that Hearts still had it. So yeah, it should have been a drop ball to Hearts.”

Replay Celtic game: ‘Staggered’ ex-Hearts chief calls for controversial clash to be replayed or points forfeited
Last Thursday’s contentious Premiership fixture between Celtic and Hearts should be replayed or the Edinburgh club awarded the points, according to former Tynecastle chairman Leslie Deans.

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/replay-celtic-game-staggered-ex-hearts-chief-calls-for-controversial-clash-to-be-replayed-or-points-forfeited-3485735
By Barry Anderson
Tuesday, 7th December 2021, 2:51 pm

He is astonished that Celtic Park officials have not publicly apologised to the Hearts winger Barrie McKay, who was pelted with missiles during his team’s 1-0 defeat.

Television replays proved Kyogo’s winning goal to be offside and, in the second half, referee Bobby Madden bizarrely chose to stop play with Hearts in possession because the Celtic winger Jota had pulled up with a hamstring injury.
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The combined controversies made for a heated aftermath and Deans feels replaying the game or giving Hearts the victory would be justified.

He told the Evening News there is no excuse for not offering McKay an apology after the was struck by a plastic bottle thrown from a section of Celtic fans. One man has been arrested in connection with the incident but McKay also had cups, coins and even a pie rain down on him whilst taking corner-kicks for the visitors.

“I’m absolutely staggered that there has been no public apology from Celtic to Hearts, Barrie McKay or both,” said Deans, chairman at Tynecastle between 1994 and 1999. “A player in their stadium has been assaulted at least once, possibly more. It’s staggering that they have not commented.

“You can well understand that Celtic are embarrassed by this but the fact is it happened. The football authorities have got to take action on this to show everybody thinking along these lines that something will be done. If this had happened under the auspices of UEFA, Celtic would have been thrown out of the competition.

“The very least that should happen here is that the game should be replayed. In fact, there is an argument to say Hearts should be awarded the points.

“Why is that? Well, how can a player concentrate on his job while standing there wondering: ‘What’s coming at me next? I’ve had coins, pies, bottles – is it going to be a dart next?’ You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t think that way.

“Also, if indeed the referee did tell Barrie McKay that stewards were in place [to deal with the issue], then clearly these stewards weren’t doing their jobs.

“The referee should have taken the players off the park when the missiles started and instructed a tannoy announcement that the game would be delayed for ten minutes. The announcement should also have made it clear that, if there was any repeat when play restarted, then the game would be abandoned.

“Thankfully there was no serious injury to any player but it might be different next time. I will await with interest the outcome of this. While it’s right that nobody comments on the case of the individual arrested, that does not stop comment being made.”

The Scottish FA’s head of referees, Crawford Allan, admitted on BBC Radio Scotland at the weekend that Kyogo’s goal was awarded erroneously. The Hearts manager Robbie Neilson had tried to contact Allan for an explanation about events at Celtic Park but, as of the weekend, they had not spoken.

Allan’s presence on national radio was a rather unusual move so soon after such a hotly-disputed encounter. Deans welcomed the honesty and willingness to address issues with a large audience listening to the show. “Credit to Crawford Allan for publicly saying what is clear to everybody who saw it,” said Deans.

“The goal wasn’t just offside, it was a quite a distance offside. I’ve watched these things for 60 years and you get told decisions like that even themselves out. I’m still waiting for them to even themselves out.”

The Edinburgh-based lawyer recalled decades of frustration at decisions he feels were unfair on Hearts when they came up against the Glasgow clubs.

“I remember one comment from somebody years back after Celtic got a dodgy penalty against Hearts. When asked if these things even themselves out, he said: ‘Yes. Next week Rangers will get a dodgy penalty against Hearts so things will be evened out.’”

Tynecastle officials are awaiting the outcome of Police Scotland’s investigation into missiles launched at McKay. Neilson conveyed some of his exasperation during post-match media interviews but chose his words carefully having already served one touchline ban for a Scottish FA misconduct charge.

“One point nobody has commented on is comments on referees,” stated Deans. “It remains to be seen whether Robbie Neilson will receive an invitation to visit the football authorities in view of his comments.

“However, it shouldn’t be forgotten that literally a couple of weeks ago the Celtic chairman [Ian Bankier] was making allegations about a referee in advance of a game. The referee was Nick Walsh and it was in advance of the League Cup semi-final against St Johnstone.

“The Celtic chairman said they had had problems with Nick Walsh before and that his appointment for the semi was a source of deep concern.

“The Celtic chairman is an experienced lawyer who will know exactly the impact of those words. No action was taken against him for effectively criticising a referee for something that had not happened yet.

“Robbie Neilson was talking about issues that had happened and was pointing to a decision which anybody – short of the myopic or blind – could see was an incorrect decision. So I think a bit of balance needs to be taken into account there.

“It would be quite inappropriate if double standards were applied – no action against the Celtic chairman but Robbie being rapped over the knuckles for his comments.”