Same result but Hearts can hold heads high

THE last time Hearts travelled to Glasgow to face Celtic, boss Craig Levein was roundly criticised for sending his team out with defence as the priority in a bid to frustrate the living daylights out of the champions.

The ploy ultimately failed with the home side coming out on top 2-0 back in August, with a goal in each half from striker Henrik Larsson.

The scoreline may have been the same this time round - and the goalscorer may also have been the same - but the performance from the Jambos was like chalk and cheese compared to that summer afternoon’s display.

And for that Levein and his players deserve nothing but praise.

Five months ago the Tynecastle boss was concerned what effects a heavy defeat may have had on the morale of his young team.

But the side has since grown in stature and confidence and the evidence of their development was there for all to see last night as Hearts produced one of their best performances at Parkhead in recent seasons.

The men from Gorgie fought tooth and nail as they ran themselves into the sodden turf, persistent rain throughout the day having made the pitch heavy going.

Levein sent his side out to be positive, not to bow to the Celtic players’ demands that Hearts show more adventure but rather because he believed his side were good enough to tackle the game in such a fashion and take something from it. And how close they came.

With just ten minutes remaining and the 57,000 home support growing ever more restless, there must have been real hopes in the away dug out that the Capital outfit’s endeavours would be rewarded with an unexpected share of the spoils.

But enter Mr Larsson.

Young Andy Webster, who had been doubtful with a calf injury, had shackled the Parkhead goal machine in commendable fashion for most of the game. But the predatory Swede escaped his clutches twice in the space of seven minutes to sink Levein’s brave Hearts.

The front man also netted the winning penalty at Tynecastle in November, last night’s double taking his tally against the Jambos to five in three games.

In fact, his overall record against the Maroons now stands at a remarkable 15 goals in 15 matches.

How Hearts fans must be sick of the sight of Henrik Larsson.

"I asked a lot of Andy Webster to man-mark Larsson and I thought he did it superbly for 80 minutes," said Levein. "But there’s the difference. I have a young lad who is new into the game, he switches off for a couple of seconds and we’re 2-0 down.

"Andy has been here less than a year, he’s still learning and I am not going to lambast him after being outwitted by a player who scored over 50 goals for his club last season and is a seasoned internationalist.

"He will learn from last night."

While the visitors didn’t create enough in front of goal to merit their first win in almost two years at Celtic Park, with a bit of luck they could well have emerged with something from the game.

From the second minute when they forced the game’s first corner, they showed a healthy appetite for proceedings, although they had Antti Niemi to thank for keeping the scores level shortly after.

The Finn passed a late fitness and was recalled to the starting line-up after missing six games with a fractured finger and he soon showed why Levein was so keen to have him back between the posts with a marvellous save at full stretch from Alan Thompson after skipper Steven Pressley had needlessly given the ball away to the midfielder just outside his box.

Hearts came just as close in the 22nd minute when Ricardo Fuller raced past Joos Valgaeren on the right before firing the ball past Douglas and across the face of the goal. Johan Mjallby looked certain to knock it into his own net from just two yards out with Gary Wales waiting to pounce, but somehow managed to scoop the ball over his own bar.

As the first half drew to a close Stephen Simmons underlined Hearts’ refusal to be bullied into submission when he clattered man-mountain Bobo Balde, the midfielder earning a ticking off from Bobby Orr for his efforts.

It was another demonstration of the steel which Levein has worked hard at instilling into his side and on the stroke of half-time Balde was lectured for holding back Fuller as the lively Jamaican continued to cause problems.

Robbed of the services of Alan Maybury after his red card against Livingston and the subsequent dismissal of his appeal, Levein was forced to use Thomas Flogel at wing back and the Austrian was superb as he combined his defensive duties with support for his front men. As the hour mark approached Celtic turned the screw and Larsson was close with two efforts which he would have expected to have done better with.

For all their fight and at times good possession, Hearts didn’t really cause too much trouble for Robert Douglas in the Celtic goal, although Flogel tested him from distance after a cheeky back-heel from Steve Fulton.

The introduction of the mercurial Lubomir Moravcik for Bobby Petta after 66 minutes proved a key moment, the wily Slovak proving a handful for his tiring opponents.

With Moravcik on, Thompson was moved out wide on the left by Martin O’Neill and it was his pin-point delivery in the 80th minute which set up Larsson for the opener, his header giving Niemi no chance. And three minutes from time the Swede was again in the right place at the right time to knock home another perfect cross from the left, this time supplied by Moravcik.

Flogel then fired a shot over the top in a late show of defiance before Larsson offered up the easiest chance of the night when he missed his kick with the goal at his mercy.

That would have been harsh on Hearts who have shown they can go to Glasgow and compete.

"I’m disappointed more for the players than anything else as I felt they deserved something from the game," said Levein. " They did enough in the 80 minutes to merit a point but when you play against a side as good as Celtic you have to keep going for the 90 minutes or even more. A point was the best we could have hoped for.

"Don’t get me wrong, Celtic had opportunities, but what team comes here and restricts them to no chances? We weren’t expected to get anything last night and we have games coming up which are more vital for us to pick up points."

Hearts may have been nudged into fifth place by Aberdeen’s victory over Hibs at Easter Road, but judging by last night’s display, there is every indication they will soon be going in the right direction again.

Taken from the Scotsman