Hearts 0 Celtic 2

Scottish Premier League
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh

HEARTS v CELTIC

TEAM NEWS: The squad rotation policy continues, with Gordon Strachan again ringing the changes as Stephen McManus, Barry Robson, Paul Hartley and Cillian Sheridan return to the starting XI. Aiden McGeady, Shunsuke Nakamura, Massimo Donati and Darren O’Dea all drop out, taking a place on the bench alongside Mark Brown, Paddy McCourt and Paul Caddis.

HEARTS (4-5-1) Balogh; Karipidis, Berra, Zaliukas, Wallace; Cesnauskis, Jonsson, Stewart, Aguiar, Driver; Nade.
Subs: MacDonald, Palazuelos, Mikoliunas, Makela, Mole, Thomson, Ksanavicius.

CELTIC (4-4-2) Boruc; Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Wilson; Robson, S Brown, Hartley, Maloney; Sheridan, McDonald.
M Brown, McGeady, Nakamura, Donati, McCourt, O’Dea, Caddis.

Pre-match: Teams emerge with both teams lining the centre circle and showing racism the symbolic 'red card'. Mark Wilson goes to left back, Paul Hartley in centre mid with Robson. Brown on the right. Glorious sunshine and a surprisingly warm day after the recently stormy weather.

Wallace concedes a free kick for a challenge on Hinkel, game gets off to a busy start.

Nade takes a bang in the mouth from Barry Robson after he knocks the ball past him. Referee waves away striker's appeals for a card. Aguiar launches the ball forward, Hearts win a throw in and then see a speculative effort spin over the bar.

Harem scarem start continues with the ball just spinning away from Maloney after strong play by Robson.

GOAL CELTIC - Balogh opts to attempt to punch a cross clear. Sends it out as far as Maloney, 25 yards out, who shapes his body, strikes the ball beautifully and sends it spinning into the back of the net. Fantastic technique from the little man! 1-0 Celtic.

Scott Brown penalised for a push on the back of Aguiar. Celtic winning the physical fight at the moment and showing great pace and skill on the counter.

McManus steps forward to win the ball. Brown plays it out to Robson, who concedes a throw in under pressure down by the corner flag.

Hinkel concedes a free kick down by the left corner flag as Nade goes down dramatically. Aguiar takes, after a delay where the ref warns Nade and Caldwell. Ball delivered to near post, easily cleared by Hartley.

Robson foul after a poor header by McManus. Aguiar and Driver over the ball, which is driven into the wall. Aguiar shot may have struck the arm of Robson, but ref says no despite the protests.

Driver concedes a stupid foul, charging into the back of Robson around 23 yards up on the right. Nade hooks Hartley's low cross clear. Scott Brown tormenting the Hearts players out on the right flank, winning everything.

Strong tackle by McManus to frustrate Driver. Celtic break forward thanks to some lovely play from Maloney. Sheridan unable to catch his long ball into the corner.

Aguiar wins a free kick after a rash challenge. Driver and Aguiar over the ball, six men in the wall. Driver shoots, Boruc dives, but the ball spins wide.

Stewart free kick lifted in to back post after a Hartley foul on Aguiar. Ball sails out the park, with Berra trying to reach it.

Nade attempts to play in Jonsson with a flick. The right back is offside!

Hearts frustration now showing, with the players chasing shadows and the fans losing patience.

Play steps up a gear, with Celtic struggling to clear their lines after Nade gets in a cross after fouling Caldwell. Celtic eventually awarded a free kick as Driver slides in late on McManus.

Nade attempts to dazzle Hinkel with four step overs, which result in Robson pinching the ball with ease from the lumpy striker. Midfielder then puts his team in trouble with a short pass back, which is eventually cleared by Celtic.

HEARTS SUB - Cesnauskis off, Mikoliunas on.

Aguiar fouls Robson right on the halfway line.

Nice play by Caldwell, McDonald and Brown. With the keeper coming out to claim at the feet of the latter.

Scott Brown pops up with three clearances in succession, one of which comes after the midfielder plays keepy-up in the corner.

Great strength from Maloney, holding off two challenges before winning a foul on the left. Hartley delivers, Stewart hooks clear.

Wallace breaks forward, skipping away from a couple of challenges before seeing his shot blocked by McManus. Celtic immediately race clear through Sheridan.

Referee adds on one minute of additional time.

HALF TIME WHISTLE SOUNDS - just after Celtic threaten with a free kick. Great first half, strong performance by Celtic.

SECOND HALF KICKS OFF.

Celtic have to clear their lines, through Caldwell, as Hearts make a strong start.

Great play from Brown. Picking Aguiar's pocket before doubling back and laying the ball off to Caldwell.

Celtic put the pressure on, with Maloney racing down the left and delivering a cross which goes high and wide.

Scott Brown steps on to a ball on the edge of the box and lifts his shot over the bar.

Appeals for a penalty as Driver throws himself down in the box. Ref waves away the supporter's appeals.

HEARTS SUB - Nade off, Jamie Mole on to boos from a dissatisfied home support.

Great play from Wilson, shutting out Mole and winning the ball before playing a clever ball forward to Maloney.

Free kick to Hearts and a yellow card for Hartley after a late foul on Stewart.

Appeals for a penalty from Robson, as McGeady comes on to replace Maloney.

Hinkel heads the ball back to Boruc after Celtic initially struggled to clear their lines.

Sheridan goes down heavily after a challenge from back by Berra. Striker attempts to wave away the doc, but the ref insists that he leaves the field.

Wa

Celtic killing the game and frustrating Hearts with clever possession play.

Hearts corner taken by Aguiar. Curled in to back post, met in the air by Berra but headed wide of the post.

Hinkel plays the ball in to the feet of Robson, whose left foot shot is lifted over. The midfielder is then replaced by Massimo Donati.

Hearts sub - Aguiar goes off, being replaced by Ruben Palazuelos. More boos from a disgruntled home support.

Karipidis does well to recover a loose pass from Cesnauskis and spark a counter. Celtic then fight back, with McGeady failing to find the run of the unmarked Brown.

Balogh does well to hold on to McDonald's curling shot from the edge of the box.

Hearts come close as Celtic concede a corner. Sheridan then takes the ball from the feet of a Hearts player and Celtic again counter, with Brown's cross held by the keeper.

Balogh almost plays his side in to trouble, with his woeful pass just slipping by McDonald.

Karipdis takes the ball out of defence and plays a lovely ball to Stewart, who wastes it with a rotten ball out to Mole.

Stewart drives a ball at goal, which is easily taken by Boruc

McDonald does well to keep possession, dodge a few tackles and roll in a pass to Sheridan, Striker is just offside.

CELTIC SUB - Paddy McCourt on for Scott McDonald.

Referee adds on three minutes of additional time.

Donati wins a free kick down in the corner as Driver dives in.

FINAL WHISTLE - Hearts 0 Celtic 2