Hearts took a point at Parkhead this afternoon, but having listened to a couple of reports on how the game went, what would normally be an acceptable outcome at this venue is sounding more like it was two points dropped as much as a point gained.
Andy Driver fired Hearts ahead when he got on the end of a Larry Kingston cross to fire into the right-hand corner of the net after 23 minutes. And Csaba Laszlo’s team had several decent chances to increase their lead before the break, but were sadly unable to take any of them.
The second half was reportedly pretty even, with Celtic having a fair amount of possession but rarely able to test Hearts ‘keeper Janos Balogh.
Celtic equalised with just over ten minutes of normal time remaining: Georgios Samaras cushioned Nakamura’s flighted cross into the path of Stephen McManus, and the captain headed home from two yards.
Hearts then survived a couple of late scares after efforts from McDonald and McGeady just missed the target, but in the end they held on for the 1-1 draw.
Regardless of the disappointment of losing the late equaliser here, it’s great to see Hearts continuing their excellent run of late by avoiding defeat at such a tough venue. It now sets them up perfectly for a 3rd v 4th pre-Christmas cracker against Dundee United at Tynecastle next week.
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Indeed Mr H – its a sign of our improved standards that we can bemoan 2 points dropped at Parkhead !! A look st that match stats showed we had 9 corners (to Celtic’s 3) and 6 shots on Target (to Celtic’s 2). As Csba said – “I am not unhapeeee mit this result – but you should know that our league position is not an accident” At least we should get a sell-out next Saturday !!!
Looking forward to that game. Interesting to see Strachan’s comment that we are a “big strong side” – what utter nonsense. We WISH we were maybe!
hearts were the better team in the first half to be honest i was a bit relieved it was only 1-0 @half time second half thought celtic deserved the equaliser overall no complaints about result kingston was lucky to stay on the park although the booking of neilson for 1st challenge was harsh
A draw was a fair result, Celtic were not good enough. But all this nonsensical drivel about Refs favouring Celtic and being biased at Parkhead can truly be kicked well into touch.
I don’t think it can RK. If he gave us a fair crack today then that’s good, but generally speaking you guys do get more than your fair share of decisions, and this season you’ve had more than normal. That will continue for as long as we both live I’d imagine, although it does tend to vary which of yourselves and Rangers get most ‘support’ – it used to always be Rangers but not these days….
Hearts were a breath of fresh air Full Stop ……!!!! it was uncomfortable for me to sit on the other side of domination in my own ground today ,, so ,, good for you !!!!,, if truth be known you deserved so much more ………Statusquosupportersclub ………..
In one of the previous articles you hearts supporters were saying that it suited sfa/media for celtic/rangers to remain dominant surely if teams like hearts/hibs/dundee utd can bring a closer challenge & continue to provide games which are close affairs like the games today surely when it comes to spl negociating a tv deal they will be in a stronger position any thoughts?????
Let’s hope you’re right DannyBhoy – it would be good to see 2 or 3 other teams give the OF a run for their money for at least half a season. Apart from anything, Scottish football needs to reverse the trend of falling attendances – and having as many teams as possible challenge for the European places is probably the best way. Good honest comments much appreciated there, WishawBhoy !!
Aye we did Danny but we also admitted we had little idea why the media take that stance. Healthy competition across the board has to be good for the game – long may it continue!
I would say you had more than a fair crack of the whip. But if you are right that we can’t kick it into touch, then I would go along with that entirely, mainly because bias toward Glasgow Celtic has never really existed in the first place.
Although, several media outlets would want you to believe the contrary, any fair minded individual would be able to see that is not such the case and never has been.
Celtic have benefited from one decision this year, that being the Pen against Hamilton which was never a pen. Perhaps the pen against Dundee United early in the season when we were winning 1-0 could be also said to have gone in our favour however Nakamura had the same thing happen to him, in our most important league fixture last year (the night we won the league at Tannadice) and yet his appeal was laughed off.
It wasn’t that the referee really affected the outcome of the game; he just never allowed the game to take place and didn’t really enforce any rules so I can?t really say what would have happened had he allowed play to take place. Hearts may have won 2 or 3-0, its all hypothetical.
As said, I look forward to the day when Celtic Football Club are the beneficiary of a meaningful decision in a significant game because all of these myths I hear are nothing other than that, fantasies.
RK – with respect, football fans are guilty of seeing – and remembering – only the decsions that go against their team, without realising the ones which go for their team. As for meaningful decisions having a direct influence on a game, you only have to look at the Maloney dive against Hearts on NYD 2006 which saw Fyssas sent off, or the Aberdeen goal disallowed last season at Parkhead (which would have denied you 2 points) for evidence. But, like the Murphy’s, I’m not bitter – we just have to get on with it…. and I’m glad that Hearts gave a good account of themselves today.
mrh healthy competition good for the game you only have to look @ how healthy the comptition was in scotland when scottish teams have done well in europe to support what your sayng
My take on today (via radio Scotland and some dodgy website that was streaming the game) was that we should have made hay in the first half. Driver was rampant and Kingston was dictating. Celtic came back strongish in the 2nd but without ever really stamping any real authority. We probably should have won but because we didn’t take chances maybe a draw is fair enough. Have to say I thought that Strachan was a bit ungracious in his comments after the match.
A very good summing up itsnomarooned. I would agree about Strachan’s comments – my recollection was something about Celtic being hung-over from their (meaningless) game in Europe, maybe being ordinary looked like it was going to be good enough and that Hearts are a big, physical team. Arrogance and *********.
The Scotsman article on the game seems to see it as a shop window for Hearts selling their players – http://sport.scotsman.com/heartofmidlothianfc/Celtic-1–1-Hearts.4791634.jp
One of those where we definitely needed the second goal, as we were never going to withstand the 2nd half onslaught from Celtic. Zaliukas and Obua both have their heads in the clouds too often. I said before the game I would have been delighted with a draw, and I am, but after listening on Hearts World and watching probably the same dodgy website stream that itsnomarooned was, it feels as though we were robbed of two points rather than gaining one. Dundee Utd next week should be an absolute cracker.
Last night, Billy Dodds actually claimed Samaras did a great job in stopping Neilson from getting up for the ball he headered to McManus. Personally I was impressed by his abseiling down after that monumental climb, next up he will be scaling Everest.
Indeed!