Hearts 1 Celtic 2

Celtic outlined their title credentials with a capital display to defeat Hearts at Tynecastle surviving a late flurry to reassert Glasgow's domestic dominance.

The win took Celtic's unbeaten run in all competitions to twelve and removed Hearts from the top of the table, where Rangers have taken their customary berth with the Bhoys close behind.

But Celtic were made to work hard for their tenth consecutive win against Scottish opposition after Colin Cameron exposed a rare moment of defensive frailty after 65 minutes.

Celtic were leading 2-0 and looking well-poised for a third and clinching goal when Marc Rieper and Alan Stubbs each invited the other to clear the ball.

Neither did, Cameron pounced, and at once the complexion of the match changed with the visitors forced to defend earlier strikes from Rieper and Henrik Larsson.

Former West Ham centre-back Rieper struck his first goal since joining the Parkhead club after 15 minutes with a fierce shot on the turn.

After 21 minutes that lead was doubled when Regi Blinker raced down the left to feed Larsson for a well-taken second.

At that stage, and for the remainder of the first hour, Celtic looked dominant as they turned on the style for head coach Wim Jansen.

But in the end it needed a useful late save from keeper Jonathan Gould to deny a goalward bound David Weir header to secure the well-deserved three points.

Jansen received a major boost ahead of kick-off after his first choice central midfield pairing Morten Wieghorst and Craig Burley were passed fit. Burley was the main doubt after collecting a thigh strain in the 1-0 midweek Coca-Cola Cup semi-final against Dunfermline decided by his 70th minute strike.

Scotland defender Weir needed four stitches after a training ground head injury on Thursday, but was able to take his place in the starting line-up.

Home manager Jim Jefferies again preferred Jim Hamilton and Frenchman Stephane Adam up front with veteran John Robertson remaining on the bench.

Stefano Salvatori offered the first threat for Hearts with a powerful 25-yard free kick which soared just over the crossbar after four minutes.

With neither side wanting their run of form to be curtailed the tempo of the match was fierce, with Burley booked after 11 minutes for a foul on Cameron.

Celtic keeper Gould needed to be alert to deny Adam after 14 minutes, reaching the ball just before the Hearts man with a brave advance.

Rieper broke the deadlock after 15 minutes firing in a loose ball after Wieghorst was first to Blinker's corner.

Celtic doubled their advantage after 21 minutes when Swede Larsson slotted in a deep low cross by the impressive Blinker. Referee John Rowbotham deserves credit in the move for the goal, for playing on after Burley was fouled by Salvatori.

Celtic's domination of midfield was paying rich dividends and Burley's shot from distance just wide on the half hour.

A neat move involving Larsson, Burley and finally Blinker ought to have produced a goal, but Dutchman Blinker shot directly against Rousset's legs when put clear.

Hearts struggled struggling to respond to the Celtic onslaught, but Weir's low drive on the stroke of half-time that forced a smart Gould save showed that the contest was still alive.

Another flowing Celtic move almost brought a third just after the restart as Blinker's well-struck shot skimmed just wide after excellent approach play from Donnelly and Larsson.

Larsson put the ball in the net after 51 minutes, but his effort was rightly disallowed for handball.

Celtic seemed to be attacking at will with McNamara spurning another good scoring opportunity after 54 minutes when shooting tamely.

Hearts introduced Robertson on the hour mark in a bid to turn the tide with the ineffectual Hamilton the man to make way.

Larsson's failure to find Burley in the clear in attack, almost cost them at the other end as Steve Fulton broke clear, but the Hearts midfielder dragged his shot wide.

That defensive mix-up then let Cameron in to half the deficit after 65 minutes. The ball was not struck cleanly, but had enough power to surprise Gould and revive the home side.

Rousset's near-post save denied Blinker and then the home keeper was caught out by Weir's looping backpass that forced him to handle to prevent a goal in the closing stages.

The resulting free kick came to nothing, but the damage had been done before the break and Celtic held their nerve for a spirited away triumph.

Teams

Hearts: Rousset, McManus (Flogel 53), Pointon, Weir, Salvatori, Ritchie, McCann (Robertson 70), Fulton, Hamilton (Locke 60), Cameron, Adam.

Booked: Salvatori, Adam, Locke.

Goals: Cameron 65.

Celtic: Gould, Boyd, Mahe, McNamara, Rieper, Stubbs, Larsson, Burley, Donnelly (Hannah 85), Wieghorst, Blinker (Thom 79).

Subs Not Used: O'Donnell.

Booked: Boyd, Larsson, Wieghorst, Burley.

Goals: Larsson 21, Rieper 15.

Att: 16,977

Ref: J Rowbotham (Kirkcaldy).


Taken from sportinglife.com