Hearts hit the post twice in the second half as they made it two wins out of two for manager Robbie Neilson, who will be hoping to make it three points out of the next three games. Hearts had been pretty poor going forward prior to the second goal but it changed when John Souttar rose highest to head home a corner from Dougie Imrie at a crucial moment.
Hearts side John Souttar claimed his first Scottish Premier League goal of the season as he found the back of the net for Robbie Neilson’s side. Celtic had been held to a 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday and, despite having enjoyed the majority of possession, it was the visitors who took the lead when Souttar nodded home a Souttar header from a Callum Paterson corner.
Hearts’ late winner is headed home by John Souttar (right).
Celtic were defeated on the first day for the first time in 24 years, and Ange Postecoglou’s poor start as manager continued, as Hearts won their maiden Scottish Premiership match.
After Anthony Ralston’s spectacular single goal had cancelled out Gary Mackay-opening, Steven’s John Souttar scored with 90 seconds remaining at a boisterous Tynecastle to seal the victory.
Hearts’ first victory against Celtic in three years condemned Celtic to their second defeat in three games after their midweek Champions League elimination.
It means Postecoglou is still looking for his first victory, with a Europa League third qualifying round game against FK Jablonec in the Czech Republic on Thursday, followed by a visit from Dundee the following Sunday.
Robbie Neilson’s Hearts, on the other hand, have already won five games in a row following a strong League Cup group stage performance.
Celtic had not started a league season in such turmoil in a long time. Following a trophy-less season, Wednesday’s extra-time loss to Danish league runners-up Midtjylland had inflicted fresh scars.
They came in the city with new additions Carl Starfelt and Kyogo Furuhashi, and a strong showing was required to enthuse a jittery crowd.
However, following a disaster in the visiting defense, the crisis headlines were already being written less than 10 minutes into the game.
Josh Ginnelly sped down the right side, easily passing Starfelt before feeding Liam Boyce. The ball was taken away from the Hearts striker by Nir Bitton, but it was merely pushed into the path of an unmarked Mackay-Steven, who tapped in at the far post.
Celtic retaliated by gaining control of the ball. Craig Gordon was set to take Odsonne Edouard, while Callum McGregor and David Turnbull also posed a danger. Despite having the ball, they were unable to upset the home team.
Hearts might have had a two-goal lead before halftime if Craig Halkett or Michael Smith had not sent close-range attempts over the bar.
Celtic’s jitters were palpable. Starfelt was having trouble settling into his debut, and Hearts’ raucous home crowd noticed it. But, just as Celtic began to falter, a moment of brilliance leveled the score.
Ralston moved by Andy Halliday, skipped through two more maroon shirts’ lunges, and finished with a calm left foot finish beyond Gordon.
It enlivened what had already been an enthralling match, and both teams felt they could win.
Celtic quickly put the ball back in the goal, but Liel Abada’s joy was cut short by the assistant’s flag for offside against Greg Taylor, who had crossed for him.
As Hearts came near, Scott Bain had to paw away Souttar’s header before Gordon pushed clear replacement Ryan Christie’s attempt.
Celtic introduced Japanese striker Furuhashi off the bench, but it was Hearts who finished the stronger of the two, and they were rewarded when Souttar rose highest to head in a free-kick for Hearts.
Gordon, who was released by Celtic this summer, produced two spectacular late saves to keep the game alive.
James Forrest drove into the area, but his near-post attempt was stopped at point-blank range, and the Scotland goalkeeper acrobatically turned away Starfelt’s header from the resulting corner.
Beni Baningime was named Man of the Match.
Baningime, who made his Hearts debut, looked comfortable in midfield and impressed defensively.
What did we discover?
Celtic had little difficulty getting their hands on the ball, but their difficulties from last season are not to be forgotten, as they struggled in the final third and have failed to establish a cohesive defensive unit.
Rarely has a team won the Scottish Championship under such a shadow, but Hearts have put last season’s fan protests behind them with a performance that indicates they will not be in danger of relegation this season.
What they had to say
“We had 5,500 supporters 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,” says Hearts manager Robbie Neilson. So it’s fantastic to send them home pleased.
“They gave us the goal when the supporters started pouring their energy back on the field, particularly towards the conclusion of the game, when players started gaining that additional yard.”
‘The board of directors does not want me to fail. What has to be done is clear to all of us.’
“We got into so many excellent crossing areas and crosses ended up out on the touchline, with shooting chances,” Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou said. It’s definitely the area where we need to improve the most, in my opinion.
“In any of the games, we are not placed under pressure for long periods of time defensively. However, if you keep the opponent in the game, there’s always the chance they’ll strike you with a set-piece or counter-attack.”
What comes next?
Celtic play Jablonec in the Czech Republic on Thursday (16:45 BST) before hosting Dundee on Sunday, while Hearts play St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday (15:00).
Match Player of the Year
BeniBeniBeniBeniBeniBeniBeniBeniBen
Midlothian’s Heart
-
The 6th squad Baningime is the name of the player.
-
Number four squad Outtar is the name of the player.
-
Number one squad Gordon is the name of the player.
-
The eleventh squad Name of the player Mackay-Steven
-
Squad 17 is the seventeenth squad. Cochrane is the name of the player.
-
Ginnelly is a player in the 30th squad.
-
Boyce is a member of the 10th squad.
-
Five-man squad Haring is the name of the player.
-
Squad No. 19 Halkett is the name of the player.
-
Smith is a member of the second squad.
-
The 16th squad Name of the player Halliday
-
Three-man squad Name of the player Kingsley
-
Squad number twenty-one Gnanduillet is the name of the player.
Celtic
-
McGregor is a member of the 42nd squad.
-
Number 56 is a squad. Ralston is the name of the player.
-
Forrest is a member of the 49th squad.
-
AbadaAbadaAbadaAbadaAbadaAbadaAbadaAbadaA
-
Number four squad Starfelt is the name of the player.
-
Squad No. 12 Name of the player Soro
-
Squad No. 29 Bain is the name of the player.
-
The 14th squad Name of the player Turnbull
-
Three-man squad Name of the player Taylor
-
The 6th squad Bitton is the name of the player.
-
Squad No. 22 Edouard is the name of the player.
-
Squad 17 is the seventeenth squad. Name of the player Christie
-
Eighth squad Furuhashi is the name of the player.
-
Number 18 in the squad Name of the player Rogic
Line-ups
Hearts
3-4-3 formation
1Gordon
4Souttar19Halkett3Kingsley
2Smith6Baningime16Halliday17Cochrane
30Ginnelly10Boyce11Mackay-Steven
- 1Gordon
- 4Souttar
- 19Halkett
- 3Kingsley
- 2Smith
- 6Baningime
- 16Halliday
- 17Cochrane
- Gnanduilletat was replaced by 30Ginnelly for 77 minutes.
- 10Boyce
- 11Mackay-Steven At 68’minutes, he was replaced by Haring.
Substitutes
- 5Haring
- 8McEneff
- 13Stewart
- 21Gnanduillet
- 22Henderson
- 27Smith
- 28Pollock
Celtic
4-2-3-1 formation
29Bain
56Ralston6Bitton4Starfelt3Taylor
12Soro42McGregor
11Abada14Turnbull49Forrest
22Edouard
- 29Bain
- 56Ralston
- 6Bitton
- 4Starfelt
- 3Taylor
- 12Soro90’minutesSubstituted forRogicat
- 42McGregor
- 11Abada 79’minutesSubstituted by Furuhashiat
- 79’minutesTurnbullSubstituted forChristieat
- 49Forrest
- 22Edouard
Substitutes
- 1Barkas
- 8Furuhashi
- 10Ajeti
- 17Christie
- 18Rogic
- 54Montgomery
- 57Welsh
Bobby Madden is the official referee.
Attendance:5,272
Live Text
-
Heart of Midlothian 2, Celtic 1 is the final score.
-
Heart of Midlothian 2, Celtic 1 at the conclusion of the second half.
-
Celtic in the corner. Peter Haring is the one who came up with the idea.
-
The attempt has been saved. The header from the middle of the box by Carl Starfelt (Celtic) is saved in the lower right corner. Ryan Christie assisted with a cross.
-
Celtic in the corner. Craig Gordon made the concession.
-
The attempt has been saved. Celtic’s James Forrest’s left-footed effort from the middle of the box is saved in the goal. Odsonne Edouard assisted.
-
Anthony Ralston was called for a foul (Celtic).
-
In the defensive half, Liam Boyce (Heart of Midlothian) earns a free kick.
-
Celtic has made a substitution. Ismaila Soro is replaced by Tomas Rogic.
-
Goal! Celtic 1, Heart of Midlothian 2. Heart of Midlothian’s John Souttar scores a header from the middle of the box to the bottom left corner. Following a set piece scenario, Michael Smith assisted with a cross.
-
Ismaila Soro commits a foul (Celtic).
-
Heart of Midlothian’s Peter Haring is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
-
Callum McGregor commits a foul (Celtic).
-
In the defensive half, Peter Haring (Heart of Midlothian) earns a free kick.
-
The attempt was unsuccessful. Craig Halkett (Heart of Midlothian) hits the right post with a header from the middle of the area. Following a corner, Michael Smith assisted with a cross.
-
Midlothian, Midlothian, Midlothian, Midlothian, Midlothian, Midlothian Greg Taylor made the concession.
-
Attempt was thwarted. The header from the middle of the box by Liam Boyce (Heart of Midlothian) is blocked. Andrew Halliday assisted with a cross.
-
Kyogo Furuhashi was called for a foul (Celtic).
-
Heart of Midlothian’s Beni Baningime earns a free kick on the right wing.
-
The attempt has been saved. Celtic’s Ryan Christie’s left-footed effort from the right side of the area is saved in the goal. Odsonne Edouard assisted.
Related Tags
This article broadly covered the following related topics:
- hearts 2-1 celtic: john soutter header claims win for robbie neilson’s side
- robbie neilson hearts
- hearts manager robbie neilson
- robbie neilson
- john neilson