Celtic v Hearts
Highlights - Celtic 1-0 Hearts
Celtic survived a last-minute penalty scare to claim a nerve-wracking win over Hearts in Glasgow.
It was a full 72 minutes before Victor Wanyama put the hosts ahead with a fine solo strike from the edge the area.
Anthony Stokes had earlier headed a James Forrest cross off the underside of the bar after Hearts' Scott Robinson came close with a long-range effort.
Goalkeeper Fraser Forster kept out an Eggert Jonsson penalty with 60 seconds remaining to hand Celtic a vital win.
The victory puts Celtic back to within four points of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League table, while Hearts hang on to fifth place behind St Johnstone.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon made one enforced change to his side for the match, with defender Adam Matthews ruled out due to an ankle injury and replaced with Charlie Mulgrew.
Hearts made three changes, with Ian Black, Scott Robinson and Ryan Stevenson coming in for Andy Webster, John Sutton and Rudi Skacel.
Celtic dominated the early stages, with Georgios Samaras, Stokes, Gary Hooper and Cha Du-Ri all probing the Hearts defence.
A sterling chance landed at the feet of Hooper in the six yard area, but he toe-poked the ball past goalkeeper Marian Kello's right-hand post.
Moments later, Hooper latched on to a Samaras cut-back from the goal-line, but the ball rebounded off his ankle and rolled into Kello's hands.
As half-time approached, Stokes shot from 25 yards out and warmed the hands of Kello, but Hearts' strategy of limiting Celtic around the penalty area continued to benefit the visitors.
After the break, Hearts gave Celtic a scare with an early free-kick from the boot of Black that Forster edged out for a corner.
Hearts continued to grow in confidence, with a Scott Robinson shot from 30 yards out that inched past Celtic's right-hand post - then Beram Kayal tested Kello at the other end with a low drive from 18 yards.
James Forrest blitzed down the right flank on the hour mark and flighted in a ball that Stokes headed off the Hearts crossbar.
However, Hearts continued to frustrate Celtic's efforts going forward and Robinson earned himself a yellow card for time-wasting when the hosts were preparing to take a free-kick.
Wanyama finally broke the deadlock with a casual strike from the edge of the D in the 72nd minute, blasting into the top left-hand corner of Kello's goal after a Charlie Mulgrew free-kick was deflected out by Adrian Mrowiec.
A free-kick swung in by Ki Sung-Yeung met the head of Samaras in the 76th minute but drifted wide of the mark.
Hearts could have pulled one back following a controversial decision in the final minute when Wanyama was penalised for a challenge inside the area, but Jonsson was thwarted by a fine Forster save from the spot.
Tempers frayed in the three anxious minutes of added time, but Celtic held out to claim the three points.
Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (6)
Celtic
- 01 Forster
- 05 Majstorovic
- 11 Cha Du-Ri
- 21 Mulgrew
- 22 Loovens (Brown - 46' )
- 33 Kayal (Ki Sung-Yeung - 67' )
- 67 Wanyama
- 09 Samaras
- 10 Stokes (Bangura - 90' )
- 49 Forrest
- 88 Hooper
Substitutes
- 24 Zaluska
- 06 Wilson
- 56 Twardzik
- 08 Brown
- 18 Ki Sung-Yeung
- 46 McGeouch
- 14 Bangura
Heart of Midlothian
- 25 Kello
- 17 McGowan Booked
- 26 Zaliukas
- 02 Hamill
- 04 Jonsson
- 08 Black (Obua - 78' )
- 12 Templeton Booked (Driver - 78' )
- 16 Stevenson
- 21 Taouil
- 31 Mrowiec
- 27 Robinson Booked (Elliott - 78' )
Substitutes
- 30 MacDonald
- 13 Obua
- 53 Mullen
- 11 Driver
- 19 Skacel
- 10 Elliott
- 18 Novikovas
Live Text Commentary
The referee blows for the end of the match.
90:00 +1:37Victor Wanyama restarts play with the free kick.
90:00 +1:37 SubstitutionSubstitution Mohamed Bangura is brought on as a substitute for Anthony Stokes.
90:00 +1:37Ryan McGowan concedes a free kick for a foul on James Forrest.
89:30Corner taken by Mehdi Taouil from the right by-line, clearance made by Victor Wanyama.
89:19Short corner taken by Jamie Hamill.
89:13 PenaltyPlaced penalty taken by Eggert Jonsson saved by Fraser Forster. Celtic 1-0 Hearts.
87:18Scott Brown is penalised for a handball.
87:01Mehdi Taouil takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post.
86:46Stephen Elliott crosses the ball, blocked by Daniel Majstorovic.
86:06The offside flag is raised against Anthony Stokes. Marian Kello takes the indirect free kick.
85:23A cross is delivered by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance made by Adrian Mrowiec.
84:05Mehdi Taouil takes a shot. Fraser Forster makes a save.
83:52The ball is delivered by Andrew Driver, Du-Ri Cha gets a block in.
82:19The ball is swung over by Anthony Stokes, Marius Zaliukas manages to make a clearance.
82:05Anthony Stokes produces a cross, Marian Kello makes a save.
81:23The assistant referee signals for offside against Ryan Stevenson. Free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
79:22Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Save by Marian Kello.
79:04Andrew Driver concedes a free kick for a foul on Du-Ri Cha. Free kick taken by Sung-Yeung Ki.
77:48 SubstitutionSubstitution Ian Black leaves the field to be replaced by David Obua.
Substitution Stephen Elliott on for Scott Robinson.
77:14 SubstitutionSubstitution Andrew Driver is brought on as a substitute for David Templeton.
76:57Headed effort from inside the area by Georgios Samaras misses to the left of the target.
76:24Scott Brown takes the direct free kick.
76:24 BookingBooking David Templeton is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
76:18David Templeton concedes a free kick for a foul on Du-Ri Cha.
74:39Unfair challenge on Scott Brown by Ian Black results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
71:36The assist for the goal came from Charlie Mulgrew.
71:36 Goal scoredGoal - Victor Wanyama - Celtic 1 - 0 Hearts Victor Wanyama grabs a goal from outside the area to the top right corner of the goal. Celtic 1-0 Hearts.
70:52Charlie Mulgrew delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, Adrian Mrowiec manages to make a clearance.
70:52 BookingBooking The referee books Scott Robinson for dissent.
70:38Unfair challenge on Anthony Stokes by Marius Zaliukas results in a free kick.
68:02Scott Brown concedes a free kick for a foul on Mehdi Taouil. Eggert Jonsson takes the direct free kick.
67:28The ball is swung over by Charlie Mulgrew, save by Marian Kello.
66:44Fraser Forster takes the indirect free kick.
66:44 SubstitutionSubstitution Sung-Yeung Ki replaces Beram Kayal.
66:44Mehdi Taouil is ruled offside.
65:23Outswinging corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
65:05Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew, Marian Kello makes a save.
64:49Centre by Du-Ri Cha, blocked by Ryan McGowan.
63:14Handball decision goes against Mehdi Taouil. Direct free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
62:34Foul by Georgios Samaras on Jamie Hamill, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Jamie Hamill.
61:48Direct free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
61:48 BookingBooking Ryan McGowan is booked.
61:38Unfair challenge on James Forrest by Ryan McGowan results in a free kick.
60:41Anthony Stokes takes a shot.
60:00Free kick awarded for a foul by Scott Brown on Ian Black. Marius Zaliukas takes the free kick.
59:43Beram Kayal takes a shot. Save made by Marian Kello.
59:00The ball is delivered by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance made by Adrian Mrowiec.
57:32Beram Kayal takes a shot. Marian Kello makes a save.
55:16Shot from long distance by Scott Robinson goes wide of the left-hand upright.
54:43Corner taken right-footed by Ian Black from the left by-line, save by Fraser Forster.
51:53Georgios Samaras fouled by Ian Black, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by James Forrest.
50:16Foul by Scott Brown on Ian Black, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Jamie Hamill.
49:34Beram Kayal gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ian Black. Marian Kello takes the free kick.
48:34Beram Kayal fouled by Ryan McGowan, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Victor Wanyama.
47:49Ryan McGowan concedes a free kick for a foul on James Forrest. Free kick taken by Beram Kayal.
47:06Georgios Samaras delivers the ball, Adrian Mrowiec manages to make a clearance.
46:20Corner taken by Ian Black from the left by-line, save by Fraser Forster.
45:26Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Scott Robinson by Scott Brown. Free kick taken by Ian Black.
45:01The referee gets the second half started.
45:01 SubstitutionSubstitution Scott Brown is brought on as a substitute for Glenn Loovens.
45:00 +0:59The half-time whistle blows.
44:07Centre by Anthony Stokes, Marius Zaliukas manages to make a clearance.
43:40The ball is crossed by David Templeton, Du-Ri Cha gets a block in.
43:07The ball is crossed by Georgios Samaras, clearance made by Adrian Mrowiec.
42:48Ryan Stevenson sends in a cross, Charlie Mulgrew manages to make a clearance.
39:59Ryan Stevenson delivers the ball, Charlie Mulgrew makes a clearance.
38:54Eggert Jonsson is penalised for a handball. Free kick taken by Beram Kayal.
37:12Du-Ri Cha sends in a cross, Marius Zaliukas manages to make a clearance.
35:53Free kick awarded for a foul by Scott Robinson on Beram Kayal. Beram Kayal restarts play with the free kick.
35:30Du-Ri Cha delivers the ball, clearance made by Ryan McGowan.
35:02The ball is crossed by Du-Ri Cha.
33:54Foul by Anthony Stokes on Eggert Jonsson, free kick awarded. Marius Zaliukas takes the free kick.
31:27Shot by Scott Robinson from just outside the area goes over the net.
30:04Close range effort by Gary Hooper goes wide of the left-hand upright.
29:00Ryan McGowan concedes a free kick for a foul on James Forrest. Strike on goal comes in from Charlie Mulgrew from the free kick.
25:29Foul by Ryan McGowan on James Forrest, free kick awarded. Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick.
24:27Georgios Samaras produces a cross, Marian Kello makes a save.
22:51A cross is delivered by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance by Marius Zaliukas.
22:21Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew, save made by Marian Kello.
22:15Centre by Du-Ri Cha, blocked by Ryan McGowan.
20:34Unfair challenge on Du-Ri Cha by David Templeton results in a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew takes the direct free kick.
19:53The referee blows for offside. Daniel Majstorovic takes the indirect free kick.
18:38James Forrest sends in a cross.
16:47Gary Hooper is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Marian Kello restarts play with the free kick.
16:00Short corner taken by Ian Black.
15:39The ball is crossed by Scott Robinson, blocked by Victor Wanyama.
14:44Inswinging corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance made by Jamie Hamill.
14:04Corner from the left by-line taken by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance by Marius Zaliukas.
12:44Foul by Ian Black on Beram Kayal, free kick awarded. Du-Ri Cha restarts play with the free kick.
12:04The ball is swung over by Du-Ri Cha, Adrian Mrowiec manages to make a clearance.
11:20Charlie Mulgrew takes the inswinging corner, Jamie Hamill makes a clearance.
10:59Corner from the right by-line taken by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance made by Marius Zaliukas.
7:28The assistant referee flags for offside against Anthony Stokes. Free kick taken by Marian Kello.
5:44The ball is swung over by Jamie Hamill, save by Fraser Forster.
3:31Foul by Gary Hooper on Marius Zaliukas, free kick awarded. Eggert Jonsson restarts play with the free kick.
3:01Shot by Scott Robinson from outside the box goes high over the target.
2:42The ball is swung over by Jamie Hamill, clearance by Glenn Loovens.
0:31Unfair challenge on Ryan Stevenson by Daniel Majstorovic results in a free kick. Jamie Hamill takes the direct free kick.
0:00The referee starts the match.
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