Match Pictures | Matches: 2025 – 2026
Trivia
- KO: 15:00, Sunday, Sky Sports,
- Key match for Celtic, seen as the crux for the potential league challenge. Prematch: Hearts were six pts ahead & -7GD ahead of Celtic. Sevco & Celtic joint on 44pts with Celtic just -1GD ahead
- Post-match: Celtic now third Hearts on 51pts, Sevco -47pt, Celtic 45pts and -18GD. Celtic behind on GD to both also!
- Debut for Cvancara; Johnny Kenny out injured…. Cvancara provided assist for second goal.
- Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg does not believe VAR should have intervened in the eventual decision to send off Celtic defender Auston Trusty.
- Celtic have confirmed on Monday evening that they will appeal the red card shown to Auston Trusty following VAR intervention during Sunday’s 2–2 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle. The club’s position is clear and measured, and it reflects a decision rooted in what actually unfolded on the pitch rather than noise after the event
- Celtic are set for a windfall with former player and forward Oh Hyeon-Gyu, 24, expected to join Besiktas from Genk for £10m.
- Reports:
- Celtic are considering making an offer to sign 23-year-old Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana on a permanent deal.
- Arne Engels is likely to stay despite an enquiry from RB Leipzig as the 22-year-old German is happy working under interim manager Martin O’Neill.
- Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez is currently the front-runner to be named as the next permanent Celtic manager this summer.
- Celtic could be set to miss out again in their pursuit of 23-year-old Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi as they remain some way short of the Eagles’ demands
- Interest in 22-year-old Dunajska Streda forward Damir Redzic.
- Out-of-favour Lorient striker Mohamed Bamba has suffered a fresh injury setback amid reported interest in the 24-year-old from Celtic.
- Reported Celtic transfer target Yasper Asprilla has been snapped posing with a Galatasaray shirt ahead of a loan move from Girona for the 22-year-old winger.
- Reported Celtic transfer target Aurele Amenda made a disappointing return to the Eintracht Frankfurt starting line-up after the 22-year-old Switzerland centre-half was restored by caretaker head coach Dennis Schmitt as they lost 3-1 at home to Hoffenheim
- Swansea City are plotting a move for former Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi, as ex Celt Adam Idah out injured.
- Celtic are competing with Brondby to sign Brann’s Norway midfielder Felix Horn Myhre.
- Transfers – January transfer window:
- In:
- Julian Araujo – On loan – 6mth
- Stephen Welsh recalled from Motherwell loan.
- Thomas Cvancara signs on loan with option to buy.
- Out:
- Hayato Inamura – Loan to FC Tokyo until the end of the 2025/26 season.
- Jahmai Simpson-Pusey loan cancelled early
Summary
“It was a tough game – we knew it would be,” he tells BBC Scotland. “We scored a fine goal and were in reasonable control. They got an equaliser and the game was in the balance. “We score a wonderful goal to retake the lead and the sending off has a major part to play in the final 20 minutes. “I’ve seen it back and I have to say I don’t see it. Maybe I’ve been out of the game too long or have misread the rules. But first of all, the ball that’s played is going away from goal and we have a man round on the cover. “It is not a red card. It is gone now, but it played a massive part. “We fought magnificently again. It was topsy-turvy, it was tough. Hearts are up there in the league because they are a very fine side.”
Martin O’Neill
joebloggscity of TheCelticWiki:
If any one game can be deemed to eptiomise the season to date, and likely has ended the genuine chase for silveware, then well it has to be this game. Celtic started off well, continued fine to take the lead before Hearts took a grip of the game but Celtic seemed to keep in the running. Then straight into the second half, Celtic conceded needless goal from some poor defending from a corner. Hearts were then well on top but were shocked when Celtic took the lead again through Yang after some good play, the assist comign from debutant Cvancara. Celtic then mess up late with first a red card given to Trusty after VAR (but is much disputed), and then later concede another goal following a set-piece.
It may not have been a defeat, but was just as bad. It meant that Celtic were now pushed down third in the league challenge, and Hearts remain on top.
The Celtic squad is just not good enough, and today proved it. Hearts are deservedly in front in this league challenge, despite 2-3 of their best players being absent today. The money now is really on Sevco to take the title. Simple as that.
remymcswain of Celtic podcasts:
We weren’t great but I felt we were going to sneak it before the dodgy red. McLean gave them every 50/50 foul in our half so they could sling every ball in
Funnily enough he gave them every 50/50 near their box. Findlay’s challenge on Engels was dangerous and the worst tackle in match. No foul.
You could tell Thursday had taken a lot out of the team and our lack of depth is killing us. Cheers board.
McInnes remains a carrot. I wish him nothing but failure.
asgardstreasure of KDS:
A ridiculous red card decision , but even so I think we were fortunate to get out of there with a point. We just urnae very good. Giving away these stupid fouls for them to launch it into the box has got to stop. Maeda can’t tackle as robustly in these areas as he can in the final third. A foul down their end isn’t a problem but when they can ping one into the box it’s altogether a different story. He’s not the only one who does it.
We lost most of the 50/50s, particularly in the second half. We didn’t trouble Gordon much apart from the goals. Fewer shots at goal and fewer on target.
We didn’t dominate the game at any point. We looked second best most of the time.
If we don’t bring in at least a quality winger and a quality midfielder then we can forget about the title this season, And that’s the bear minimum that we need to give ourselves a chance.
[….]
Teams
Celtic
Manager Martin O’Neill
Formation 04 – 3 – 3
01, K. Schmeichel, Yellow Card 90′-8
63, K. Tierney, subbed for D. Murray at 73mins
05, L. Scales
06, A. Trusty Red Card at 77mins
22, J. Araujo, Yellow Card 79′
08, B. Nygren
42, C. McGregor (c), Captain, Yellow Card 89′
27, A. Engels, Yellow Card 89′
38, D. Maeda
11, T. Čvančara, Yellow Card 64’S. Tounekti 66′, subbed for S. Tounekti at 66mins
13, Yang Hyun-Jun, subbed for A. Ralston at 77mins
away team,Celtic
51, C. Donovan
49, J. Forrest
28, Paulo Bernardo
41, R. Hatate
14, L. McCowan
47, D. Murray
56, A. Ralston
12, V. Sinisalo
23, S. Tounekti, Yellow Card 90′-7Match Officials
Goals:B. Nygren (7′)
Yang Hyun-Jun (62′)
Assists: T. Čvančara (62′)
Hearts
01, C. Gordon
05, J. McCart, subbed for O. McEntee at 71mins
19, S. Findlay, Yellow Card 89′
04, C. Halkett (c), Captain
15, M. Steinwender, subbed for B. Spittal at 86mins
22, T. Magnússon, Yellow Card 65’S. Kerjota 71′, subbed for S. Kerjota at 71mins
49, M. Leonard
89, A. Kyziridis
10, Cláudio Braga
18, H. Milne
11, P. Kaboré, subbed for J. Wilson at 94mins
Substitutes
home team,Hearts
40, Ageu
23, J. Altena
07, E. Kabangu
02, F. Kent
29, S. Kerjota
31, O. McEntee, Yellow Card 82′
25, A. Schwolow
16, B. Spittal
21, J. Wilson
Goals:
S. Findlay (48′)
Cláudio Braga (87′)
Assists:
M. Leonard (48′), O. McEntee (87′)
Referee Steven McLean
Video Assistant Referee John Beaton
Assistant Referee 1 David McGeachie
Assistant Referee 2 Jonathan Bell
Fourth Official Calum Scott
Assistant VAR Official Duncan Nicolson
Venue:Tynecastle Park
Attendance:18,859
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Basic Stats
Overall possession
54.5%
45.5%
Hearts 54.5%Celtic 45.5%
Shots
Hearts 16Celtic 9
Shots
Shots on target
Hearts 8Celtic 3
Shots on target
Total touches inside the opposition box
Hearts 31Celtic 13
Goalkeeper saves
Hearts 1Celtic 6
Goalkeeper saves
Aerial duels won
Hearts 40Celtic 30
Aerial duels won
Fouls committed
Hearts 13Celtic 22
Fouls committed
Corners
Hearts 2Celtic 2
In-depth match stats
Attack
Shots
Hearts 16Celtic 9
Shots on target
Hearts 8Celtic 3
Shots off target
Hearts 4Celtic 3
Attempts out of box
Hearts 6Celtic 2
Hit woodwork
Hearts 1Celtic 1
One-on-one attempts
Hearts 1Celtic 0
Total offsides
Hearts 3Celtic 1
Distribution
Total passes
Hearts 360Celtic 309
Pass accuracy %
Hearts 65.3Celtic 64.7
Backward passes
Hearts 42Celtic 48
Forward passes
Hearts 149Celtic 138
Total long balls
Hearts 70Celtic 71
Successful final third passes
Hearts 71Celtic 33
Total crosses
Hearts 19Celtic 7
Defence
Total tackles
Hearts 8Celtic 16
Won tackle %
Hearts 50Celtic 68.8
Fouls committed
Hearts 13Celtic 22
Total yellow cards
Hearts 3Celtic 6
Total clearances
Hearts 14Celtic 25
Pre Match Facts
Heart of Midlothian have won both of their league meetings with Celtic so far this season, last winning more in a row against the Bhoys in October 1961 (5). Indeed, Hearts have never beaten Celtic three times in a single league campaign before.
Hearts are looking to become the first side to beat Celtic in three successive league meetings since Rangers in January 2021, while the last side other than the Bhoys’ Old Firm rivals to do so were Aberdeen in November 1990.
Celtic have lost each of their last five away league games against opponents starting the day top of the table since a 2-0 victory over Motherwell in September 2012. Two of this run of five defeats have been against Hearts, losing 1-0 in August 2018 and 3-1 in October this season.
Heart of Midlothian have won six of their last seven league games, including all three in 2026 since a 3-2 defeat to rivals Hibernian in December. Hearts could start a calendar year with wins in each of their opening four league matches for the second time in the last three years, having done so in 2024.
Celtic have won all seven of their league games under Martin O’Neill in 2025-26, conceding just one goal in the process. It’s as many league wins as they have in 15 games under Brendan Rodgers (P9 W5 D2 L2) and Wilfried Nancy (P6 W2 D0 L4) combined this season.
Articles
Celts have to settle for a point after Tynecastle clash
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2026/january/25/celts-have-to-settle-for-a-point-after-tynecastle-clash/
First Team
By Matthew Campbell
Share
25 Jan 2026, 5:05 pm
Scottish Premiership
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh
HEARTS…2
(Findlay 48, Braga 87)
CELTIC…2
(Nygren 7, Yang 62)
Celtic had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Hearts at Tynecastle this afternoon, with Benjamin Nygren and Yang twice giving the Hoops the lead before Auston Trusty was shown a red card late in the second half.
The Hoops got off to the perfect start in the capital, and with just seven minutes of the match gone, Martin O’Neill’s men had the lead.
Celtic were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box and Benjamin Nygren stepped up and curled a brilliant shot in to the top corner of the net to make it 1-0, giving the Hoops the start they had hoped for.
As Hearts pressed forward in search of an equaliser, Kasper Schmeichel had to get down quickly to make a good save from a Claudio Braga effort from the edge of the area which looked destined for the bottom corner.
The home side should have drawn level with 10 minutes of the half remaining when a mistake from Auston Trusty presented Kyziridis with a one-on-one opportunity against Kasper Schmeichel, but the Danish keeper saved brilliantly with his leg to keep Celtic ahead at the break.
55%
Possession
46%
16
Shots
9
8
Shots On Target
3
2
Corners
2
13
Fouls
22
3
0
Cards
6
1
However, Hearts drew level just moments after the restart when Stuart Findlay rose at the back post and scored with a header from a corner to make it 1-1.
Kyziridis then went close again for Hearts minutes later, though his attempt on goal from close range was thwarted by Liam Scales, who made a perfectly timed challenge to deny the Hearts forward.
Tomas Cvancara, making his debut for the Hoops, was unlucky not to put Celtic ahead in the match once again when his headed effort from inside the box looped high in to the air and crashed off the crossbar.
The debut Bhoy was key to Celtic’s goal just moments later, however, bursting forward with the ball after a brilliant link-up with Daizen Maeda. The Czech forward lashed the ball across the face of Craig Gordon’s goal and Yang was perfectly positioned to knock it in to the back of the net to make it 2-1.
For the second game in succession, Celtic were reduced to 10 men when Auston Trusty was judged to have denied a goalscoring opportunity by bringing down Landry Kabore. The referee initially booked Trusty, but VAR’s intervention saw it upgraded to a red card.
Kasper Schmeichel produced a brilliant one-handed stop with six minutes remaining to deny Claudio Braga from point-blank range, but there was no stopping Braga’s next effort, which he hammered home from inside the box to draw his side level.
Blair Spittal went close to giving his side the win in stoppage time with a powerful strike from distance which rattled the crossbar and drifted behind for a goal-kick.
Hearts: Gordon, Steinwender (Spittal 86′), Halkett, Findlay, McCart (McEntee 71′), Leonard, Magnússon (Kerjota 71′), Milne, Cláudio Braga, Kyziridis, Pierre Landry Kaboré (Wilson 94′)
Subs: Kent, Kabangu, Spittal, Wilson, Altena, Schwolow, Kerjota, McEntee, Ageu
Celtic: Schmeichel, Araujo, Trusty, Scales, Tierney (Murray 73′), Engels, McGregor, Nygren, Hyunjun Yang (Ralston 77′), Cvancara (Tounekti 66′), Maeda
Subs: Sinisalo, McCowan, Tounekti, Paulo Bernardo, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Donovan, Ralston
Manager: I’ve seen incident again and it’s not a red card
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2026/january/25/manager–i-ve-seen-incident-again-and-it-s-not-a-red-card/
First Team
By Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor
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25 Jan 2026, 6:32 pm
Celtic had to be content with a share of the spoils at Tynecastle today (Sunday) following the 2-2 draw with Hearts.
The Hoops twice took the lead – in the first-half through a superb Benjamin Nygren free-kick and then after the break when Yang finished a great move – but were pegged back on both occasions.
But it was a controversial red card issued to Auston Trusty which proved to be a pivotal decision, reducing Celtic to 10 men with about 15 minutes remaining when they were leading 2-1.
Referee Steven McLean initially produced a yellow card but after VAR referee, John Beaton, advised him to take another look at the incident, the referee upgraded the punishment to red.
For Celtic manager, Martin O’Neill, it was a decision that he thought was very harsh.
“It was a tough game,” he told Celtic TV after the game. “We took the lead early, which was great, but we knew that Hearts would come roaring back.
“They scored just after half-time which gets the crowd up for the game, and then we scored a magnificent second goal.
‘I think the sending off had a major effect, certainly in the last 20 minutes. I’ve seen it back and it’s not a red card at all.’
“A couple of things – first of all, the ball’s not going directly towards goal so the player will have to come round and manoeuvre it to try and get a shot off. And the second thing is, we’ve got cover.
“The players are showing a great resolve and a great determination. It’s been a terrific effort by the team, I couldn’t commend them any more and we saw it through, but we’re still in this fight.”
Tomáš Čvančara: There is much more to come from me
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2026/january/25/tomas-cvancara–there-is-much-more-to-come-from-me/
First Team
By Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor
Share
25 Jan 2026, 6:59 pm
Tomáš Čvančara made his Celtic debut against Hearts at Tynecastle just three days after joining the club on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach.
And the 25-year-old Czech Republic played just over an hour in the 2-2 draw, producing a driving run to set up Yang to score Celtic’s second goal of the game.
The striker was pleased with the assist but believes there is more still to come from him as he gets to know and work with his new team-mates on a daily basis.
Speaking to Celtic TV after the game, he said: “It was a difficult game for me but I think I can help with better performances. Of course, I was happy with the assist for Yang, but I would say I can offer a little bit more.”
BBC
Claudio Braga rescued a point for Hearts with a late equaliser as they fought out a thrilling draw with 10-man Celtic that leaves the Scottish Premiership leaders still six points clear of the reigning champions.
Benjamin Nygren’s free-kick gave Celtic an early lead and, although Stuart Findlay headed a deserved equaliser, Yang Hyun-jun’s goal on the break looked destined to give the Glasgow side their first win over Hearts in three meetings this season.
But centre-half Auston Trusty was sent off for what was deemed a last-man challenge on Pierre Landry Kabore with 13 minutes left.
And Braga fired home inside a crowded goalmouth to level with four minutes of normal time remaining to leave Hearts four points clear at the top of the table after Rangers overtook Celtic into second by beating Dundee.
Hearts ‘rattle’ Celtic – but did red card play ‘massive part’?
Published
23 hours ago
How many points will it take to win Scottish Premiership?
Published
23 hours ago
Listen: Reaction to day of twists in title race
Attribution
Sounds
Celtic had to play an hour with 10 men in Thursday’s Europa League draw in Bologna but started energetically and had already had a sniff at goal by the time they took an early lead, Liam Scales heading straight at Craig Gordon from a Kieran Tierney corner.
However, the former Celtic goalkeeper had no chance moments later.
Marc Leonard, making his debut in midfield on loan from Birmingham City, looked a yard off the pace as he hauled down Nygren on the edge of the penalty box and the Sweden winger curled the free-kick over the wall and past Gordon.
Hearts had a chance to strike back almost immediately, but Braga’s low drive was too close to goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with the forward in behind Scales.
It was Schmeichel to the rescue again when Trusty made a mess of a passback and, with Alexandros Kyziridis one-one-one with the goalkeeper, the Dane blocked the winger’s low drive.
Hearts had looked shellshocked after that early goal but spent the last 20 minutes of the first half camped in Celtic’s half in a game full of intensity, thunderous challenges, high balls and little flowing football.
The momentum continued in the hosts’ favour immediately after the break as Leonard’s corner to the back post was headed down by Findlay past Schmeichel.
New Celtic signing Tomas Cvancara was having a quiet debut, but the on-loan Borussia Monchengladbach striker burst into life with a looping header off the crossbar.
Moments later, he burst clear and his low cross into the six-yard box was slotted home by Yang.
Just when it looked like the pendulum was swinging in Celtic’s favour, a video assistant referee (VAR) check turned Trusty’s yellow card into red.
And, although Schmeichel saved from point-blank range to deny Braga, the forward made no mistake moments later to rescue a point for the hosts, who were then denied victory despite late pressure as Blair Spittal’s shot bounced off the crossbar.
Analysis: Both sides can take positives
Match graphic
It was an afternoon of twists and turns in what is becoming a fascinating three-pronged fight for the title.
Martin O’Neill was denied an eighth straight league win during his two spells as interim Celtic manager this season, the latest four since he took over from Wilfried Nancy.
But both he and Hearts head coach Derek McInnes might be happy to settle for a point.
Hearts had to cope with the loss through injury or suspension of three of their key performers – captain Lawrence Shankland and midfield dynamos Cammy Devlin and Beni Baningime.
They ran out of time to introduce their newly-signed striker, Rogers Mato, but handed Leonard a debut two days after his arrival.
Celtic also rushed in their latest signing, the experienced Cvancara, to plug their long-standing deficiencies up front with Kelechi Iheanacho having not recovered from injury in time to even make the bench.
Both debutants initially looked caught out by the frantic nature of the Premiership in a game that tested the depth of each squad to the limit.
Hearts had been been looking to recover from last weekend’s Scottish Cup loss to Falkirk but have now failed to win in two successive home games and missed a chance to move nine points clear of the champions.
Celtic, meanwhile, find themselves in a rare third place at this stage of the season.
Rangers have quietly introduced themselves into the mix after their recovery since Danny Rohl became head coach.
However, Celtic remain unbeaten in six outings under O’Neill, while Hearts have again shown they can compete with the Old Firm favourites.
It is still all to play for.
What they said
01:37
Media caption,
Hearts ‘disappointed’ to only draw with Celtic
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: “On chances created and overall territory, it felt like we were the better team and were the more likely to win it.
“The game played out the way we wanted. We unsettled Celtic, but we missed chances.
“We are a wee bit disappointed that we did not take all three points. Most teams would have been happy with a point against a team like Celtic, but we rattled them.”
Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill: “It was a tough game – we knew it would be. Hearts are up there in the league because they are a very fine side, but we fought magnificently again.
“It is not a red card. It is gone now, but it played a massive part. I’ve seen it back and I have to say I don’t see it.”
‘Intoxicating title fight impossible to call as Hearts refuse to buckle’
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cdxjd2we7weoBy
Tom English
BBC Scotland’s chief sports writer
Published
25 January 2026
Watch Hearts v Celtic highlights
25/01/2026
Watch on iPlayer
When Tomas Cvancara stretched his neck and planted a header on Craig Gordon’s crossbar an hour into this exhilarating clash of the champions and the wannabe champions, a sense of shock swept around Tynecastle.
Cvancara? Was he still out there? You could have been forgiven for thinking not. For an hour he’d been little more than a keen if ill-fitting presence in the Celtic attack.
His lack of goal threat was hardly a surprise given he has scored just three times in the 43 games he had played before this one. His lack of impact was no great sensation either given he hadn’t played a competitive minute since late November.
The fact he was still on the pitch was a little odd because the game had passed him by, but that header showed there was life in the new boy.
More life than Hearts had bargained for. Minutes later, he tore away down the left, leaving Craig Halkett trailing behind. His delivery to Yang Hyun-jun was precise and against the flow of the game Celtic were back in front.
Tynecastle rubbed its eyes and then girded its loins. In those seconds, a compelling game became a total belter; thrilling, controversial, exhausting and invigorating.
Goals, aggravation, a red card that infuriated the visitors and opened a door for the hosts, a toe-to-toe fight that went to the wire.
It wasn’t so much the bitter cold that caused the shivers at Tynecastle, it was the mad drama of the clash, the intensity and edge-of-the-seat fury of it all.
Hearts ‘rattle’ Celtic – but did red card play ‘massive part’?
Published
23 hours ago
How many points will it take to win Scottish Premiership?
Published
23 hours ago
Hearts rescue late draw against 10-man Celtic in Tynecastle epic
‘This was Celtic’s opportunity – but Hearts didn’t blink’
Hearts were stunned by the sucker punch from Yang, but these guys are made of stern stuff.
All season long there’s been questions asked of them and their capacity to keep going, to keep threatening to rip up the established order of things in Scotland.
Could they beat the Old Firm? Well, yes. Four times out of four leading into Sunday. Could they find themselves again after a mini-slump in the autumn? Yes, they could. Who’ll be leading the league at Christmas? Er, Hearts.
Who’ll be leading the league in late January? Er, Hearts. In two recent games they have played with 10 men versus 11 for inordinate amounts of time and yet won both of those matches.
And now this test. Not against a demoralised Brendan Rodgers Celtic or a slapstick Wilfried Nancy Celtic, but a Celtic coached by a living Celtic saint.
To add spice they were without three totems of their team, Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin and Beni Baningime.
Yes, Celtic were missing key men too, but removing those Hearts players was like removing vital organs. Could they survive? Another examination of their mettle.
Had they wanted to, they could have felt sorry for themselves at 1-0 and particularly at 2-1, they could have bemoaned the fantastic chances they had spurned, one from Claudio Braga and two from Alexandros Kyziridis. You thought of Shankland each time. Had he been on the end of them…
They could have looked around and moped that three architects of their success this season weren’t there to help them now. They could have buckled, but didn’t.
Celtic have played them three times this season and haven’t won yet. At 1-0 and 2-1, and with Hearts missing their important leaders, this was Celtic’s opportunity.
They’ll go back to the red for Auston Trusty, but the bottom line is Celtic gave Hearts their best shot and have now dropped to third. The bottom line, also, is a depleted team looked Celtic in the eye and did not blink.
Tempers flared in an attritional contest at Tynecastle where Celtic ended with 10 menImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Tempers flared in an attritional contest at Tynecastle, where Celtic ended with 10 men
‘Rangers the circling shark’
Their gap over Celtic remains at six but only four over Rangers, the shark circling the waters at the top, their teeth restored under Danny Rohl.
Rangers have come from chaos, humiliation and fury and have moved into serious contention.
It seems completely incongruous a club the size of Rangers, its life spent under a gigantic microscope, could possibly move quietly into contention, but that’s the reality.
It only seems like five minutes ago since the boos at Ibrox could be heard in all corners of the country, where laughter was the dominant noise. Now, relatively speaking, we hear the sound of purring from that club.
This league is one of the greatest of our times; impossible to call but oh so easy to enjoy.
Celtic folk will feel they should still be locked together with Rangers on points and would be had it not been for that red card, a rarity for them in domestic football.
They will be incensed about the decision to send off Trusty for the denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity when leading 2-1. Was it all that obvious? Martin O’Neill thought no. Derek McInnes thought yes. Funny, that.
It did change things, though. Trusty had gone just 10 minutes when Braga had his chance to level it; point blank and a goal to all the world. Kasper Schmeichel denied him. Only six minutes remained but, actually, there were another eight on top. The temptation was to cheer when the board went up.
The equaliser sent Tynecastle into an advanced state of delirium. Just like the first time, the source of Celtic’s problems was their remarkable inability to deal with deliveries into their box.
Along with their angst about the red card some honesty about their defending should form part of their analysis. When Oisin McEntee nodded down at the back post, Braga smashed it home and sent Celtic back down the road in pain.
This league has a way to run. Any one of the top three could win it and any one of Falkirk and Motherwell could have a say in deciding who does because, on their day, they’re capable of taking points off the sides above them.
That’s what makes this season so intoxicating; so much jeopardy, so much unpredictability and so many teams who have come to the party.
Celtic thought they had Hearts on Sunday. If they focus solely on the red card then they’re missing the point – the Jambos, it must be obvious to all, are not getting the jitters.
Hearts ‘rattle’ Celtic – but did red card play ‘massive part’?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c0kerg0xe28oByThomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland
Published
25 January 2026
Watch Hearts v Celtic highlights
25/01/2026
Watch on iPlayer
A full-blooded Scottish Premiership title encounter between leaders Hearts and champions Celtic ended with a share of four goals and the points – as well as a controversial red card.
So it was no surprise there were differing views of a madcap game.
Hearts manager Derek McInnes felt his side should have won as they managed to “rattle” Celtic, while his forward Claudio Braga said they were the “best team for sure”.
Celtic boss Martin O’Neill, though, felt his team had “reasonable control” at times, and believes the dismissal of Auston Trusty on 77 minutes “played a massive part”.
Braga’s goal to equalise 10 minutes later grabbed Hearts a point to keep them six clear of Celtic, with Rangers now just four behind the Edinburgh side in second spot.
How many points will it take to win Scottish Premiership?
Published
23 hours ago
Hearts rescue late draw against 10-man Celtic in Tynecastle epic
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‘We unsettled Celtic, but we missed chances’
Match stats from Hearts 2-2 Celtic showed the league leaders created more chancesImage source, Opta
There is clear evidence to back up the Hearts’ camp’s view they ought to have taken a third league win over Celtic this season.
They had more shots, more efforts on target – and their expected goals rating was higher too – and they had 31 touches in Celtic’s box compared to just 13 for the champions at the other end.
Celtic had just 45% of possession – a remarkable statistic for a club used to monopolising the ball and titles in Scotland in the last 15 years.
Kasper Schmeichel pulled off two fine saves to deny Alexandros Kyziridis and Braga, and crucially Hearts made set-pieces count again.
Including throw-ins, Hearts have scored 18 times from set-pieces in the league this season, four more than any other side.
Stuart Findlay’s back-post header and Braga’s finish, which came from Oisin McEntee’s knockdown after a Harry Milne free-kick, got them the draw.
“On chances created and overall territory, it felt like we were the better team and were the more likely to win it,” McInnes told BBC Scotland.
“It was a great free-kick by Celtic to take the lead, but we gathered ourselves well.
“The game played out the way we wanted. We unsettled Celtic, but we missed chances.
“We are a wee bit disappointed that we did not take all three points. Most teams would have been happy with a point against a team like Celtic, but we rattled them.
“Not often you see Celtic time-wasting and trying to run down the clock. It shows the character to dig out a point without key players.”
01:37
Media caption,
Hearts ‘disappointed’ to only draw with Celtic
Should Trusty have been sent off?
Nonetheless, despite Hearts’ dominance it was Celtic who led 2-1 when Trusty was sent off with 13 minutes of normal time left, thanks to Yang Hyun-jun’s tap-in after excellent work by debutant Tomas Cvancara.
The American centre-back was initially shown a yellow card for bringing down Pierre Landry Kabore as the Hearts striker raced in behind the Celtic defence.
But the video assistant referee (VAR) John Beaton felt Trusty had denied Hearts an obvious goalscoring opportunity, and referee Steven McLean agreed upon examining the replays from the monitor.
Ifab law 12 says the officials must consider the following when dismissing a player for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity:
Distance between the offence and the goal
General direction of the play
Likelihood of [the attacking player] keeping or gaining control of the ball
Location and number of defenders
O’Neill felt that because the ball was curling away from goal and Liam Scales and Dane Murray were getting back, it was the wrong call.
Austron Trusty brings down Hearts striker Pierre Landry Kabore as he runs in behind the Hearts defence
Image caption,
Celtic defender Auston Trusty brings down Pierre Landry Kabore of Hearts
“We score a wonderful goal to retake the lead and the sending-off has a major part to play in the final 20 minutes,” the Celtic manager told BBC Scotland.
“I’ve seen it back and I have to say I don’t see it. Maybe I’ve been out of the game too long or have misread the rules. But first of all, the ball that’s played is going away from goal and we have a man round on the cover.
“It is not a red card. It is gone now, but it played a massive part.
“We fought magnificently again. It was topsy-turvy, it was tough. Hearts are up there in the league because they are a very fine side.”
Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner agreed on BBC Scotland’s Sportsound, citing the fact Kabore “wasn’t in control of the ball” and Trusty was not the sole man back.
Former Hearts striker Ryan Stevenson also believed the ball was not going into the box, so it was unlikely to be an obvious scoring opportunity.
However, ex-Hearts player and manager Craig Levein felt it was the correct call.
“I think his [Kabore’s] next touch is setting him up for a shot and none of the Celtic players can get back,” he told Sky Sports.
“I think he’s going to shoot. Whether he scores or not is a different thing altogether. But I think he would take a big touch into the box and hit it.”
Former Celtic defender Darren O’Dea agreed Kabore would likely have got a shot away.
Ultimately it was a subjective call from the referee, who changed his mind after reviewing the footage.