Celtic still failing in their home work

JIM REYNOLDS

8 Oct 1992

Celtic 1, Hearts 1

CELTIC would appear to be a side not going too far at a terrific rate of knots, especially on their own patch at Parkhead.

Apart from last week's passionate comeback against Cologne in the UEFA Cup, the East End of Glasgow would appear to be something of a no-go area for Liam Brady's men these days, and last night's dropped point to Hearts leaves them with a daunting gap to make up on Rangers.

As the season enters its second quarter, Celtic now are five points behind the Ibrox club in the premier-division race.

They have not been doing their home work.

Already they have lost at Parkhead to Hibernian and Partick Thistle, and have dropped points to Motherwell, and now Hearts.

Having already beaten the Tynecastle side twice in Edinburgh this season, there was reason for optimism, and even more so when Joe Miller scored after six minutes.

But after 36 minutes, Alan Preston, recently signed from Dundee United, blasted home the equaliser.

Although Celtic hurried and scurried, Hearts calmly thwarted the Parkhead men, and the feelings of the home fans were apparent at the finish.

A disappointed Liam Brady said afterwards: "We saw something tonight we already have seen this season at Parkhead.

We should have had two or three goals then lost one from a corner."

Hearts manager Joe Jordan said that his side deserved a share, but he was clearly angry with a decision from referee David Syme late in the match which could have cost his side.

Defender Graeme Hogg, in attempting to clear, mistimed his kick and the ball spun backwards towards goalkeeper Henry Smith, who picked it up.

Obviously it was not a deliberate passback, but the referee gave an indirect free kick yards from goal.

Fortunately for Hearts and the referee, nothing came of it.

It was an instance of how much the new rule is still causing some confusion.

In six minutes, Miller showed that results could be better achieved by a bit of individualism.

Taking a pass from Slater, the winger danced past one defender, drew the ball back with the sole of his boot and lashed a tremendous shot high inside the left-hand post.

After 16 minutes, the same two players combined to split the Hearts defence, this time a perfect cross from Miller being met with a diving header from the Englishman which flew just over the bar.

Hogg was booked for a hefty tackle on Slater, and then Galloway charged forward, only to send a drive over the top.

Mind you, Hearts, although not causing Bonner any problems, looked to be gaining in confidence from the fact that, after getting the runaround for half-an-hour, they were still only a goal behind.

Only Smith, however, kept them in it after 33 minutes, when Celtic produced another razor-sharp move with Galloway and McStay setting up a chance for Slater.

The Hearts keeper brought off a magnificent save.

Three minutes later, Celtic paid the penalty for not cashing in on their chances when Hearts won their first corner of the match and equalised.

Robertson's kick was headed out by Mowbray, and Preston, waiting 20 yards out, hammered a low, left-foot drive past Bonner.

The Celtic fans have seen this kind of thing happen all too often at home and there were rumblings of discontent as the players trooped off at half-time.

Within minutes of the restart Galloway fired a free kick just wide of the post, and then Smith saved at the feet of Creaney after some excellent play on the left by Boyd.

But it was all hectic stuff from Celtic when a bit of control was needed.

With the home fans chanting "Andy, Andy," Payton replaced Miller after 63 minutes.

McKinlay, who earlier had been booked, was fortunate to stay on the field after another crude tackle, and Van de Ven became the third Hearts player to be booked.

CELTIC -- Bonner, McNally, Boyd, Grant, Mowbray, Galloway, Miller, McStay, Slater, Creaney, Collins.

Substitutes -- Payton, Fulton.

HEARTS -- Smith, Hogg, McKinlay, Levein, Mackay, van de Ven, Robertson, McLaren, Baird, Snodin, Preston.

Substitutes -- Bannon, Millar.

Referee -- D Syme (Rutherglen).

Taken from the Herald