HEARTS v CELTIC MIN-BY-MIN

By Dave Tickner

Result: Hearts 2 Celtic 3

90 mins: It's all over, and what an amazing transformation as Celtic turn the game on its head in the second period to win having trailed 2-0 with just over half an hour to go. Celtic are now seven points clear, and the unlikely two-goal hero is McManus.

90 mins: The corner is half cleared, but Pressley helps it back into the box. The ball falls to Gordon who had gone forward. He brings it down, but then shows why he's a goalkeeper by screwing the shot wide. He had more time than he realised, and really should have done a bit better.

90 mins: Hearts win a corner, and it will be their last chance.

90 mins: Skacel's free kick is headed clear by Pearson. McGeady chases and Gordon is forced to scamper back to gather having gone up for the free kick.

90 mins: McManus fouls Webster as Hearts strive for an equaliser in the dying moments.

90 mins: Neilson's long throw is headed clear.

90 mins: GOAL - McMANUS: Amazingly, Celtic have the lead, and McManus has two goals. This time the ball fell to him from the free kick and he turned and fired the ball across Gordon into the corner.

90 mins: There will be four minutes of injury time as Nakamura stands over a free kick in an almost identical position to the one that led to McManus' goal.

90 mins: Hartley fouls Nakamura and earns a yellow card, possibly for his protests.

89 mins: Webster hacks clear from Hartson's flick on as Celtic push for a winner.

88 mins: Jankauskas is replaced by Pospisil.

87 mins: GOAL - McMANUS: Great delivery from Nakamura and McManus jumps highest to head powerfully home and pull the leaders level.

86 mins: Maloney wins a free kick on the right.

85 mins: Pressley is down injured after being gaught by Lennon. The Celtic man can consider himself fortunate that the ref did not see him kick out at Pressley off the ball, or he would have followed Fyssas and been dismissed.

84 mins: Elliot shows his skill before rifling a shot narrowly wide.

83 mins: Silly foul by Balde on Jankauskis in midfield gives Hearts a free kick and eats up valuable time.

82 mins: Brellier wins a free kick with a fairly blatant dive to relieve the pressure temporarily.

81 mins: Webster heads clear, but the ball keeps coming back with Hearts camped in their own half.

80 mins: Poor corner from Skacel allows Telfer to head clear easily.

79 mins: Skacel's delivery is headed behind for a corner by Balde.

79 mins: Jankauskis turns smartly and wins a free kick from Pearson.

78 mins: Cesnauskis is replaced by Lee Wallace in a response to Fyssas' dismissal.

77 mins: Maloney goes for goal from the free kick but it's wide of the upright.

76 mins: The Hearts players are furious and it looks like Neilson has earned a caution for his protests.

75 mins: Fyssas is sent off for a foul on Maloney. McGeady released the youngster on the left, and Fyssas dived in and brought him down. The ball may have been going away from goal but it was a very poor challenge, and it could be a long fifteen minutes for Hearts.

74 mins: Pearson tries to find Hartson in the box but Neilson intercepts and brings the ball away. He tries to find Elliot, but the youngster is fading in this second half and loses out.

73 mins: Pearson hits the ball across goal, but no one can get on the end of it. Hearts are living very dangerously now.

71 mins: Astonishing miss from Celtic. Great one-two from Nakamura and Hartson leads to a fine shot from the Japanese star. Gordon can only parry and, with the goal at his mercy, Pearson hits the post. Maloney tucks in the rebound but is flagged offside.

70 mins: Balde does well to pass back to his keeper under pressure from Hartley, but Boruc makes up for Balde's shocking failure to slice the ball into the stands by doing it himself.

69 mins: Jankauskis attempts a spectacular Van Basten style volley, but smashes his effort way over the bar.

69 mins: Fyssas gets Webster out of trouble with a fine tackle on Lennon.

69 mins: Webster misjudges a bouncing ball allowing Celtic to attack.

68 mins: Pressley's knock down finds Elliot, who chests the ball down but shoots wide.

67 mins: Balde is penalised for climbing on Jankauskis.

66 mins: Hartson shows his defensive skills, getting up to head clear under pressure from Pressley.

66 mins: Good flick on by Jankauskas from Gordon's goal kick, but Balde clears.

65 mins: Hartson gets up well to head Nakamura's cross back across goal, but Webster hacks clear.

64 mins: Skacel shoots from distance, but it's a poor effort, sailing well wide of Boruc's goal.

63 mins: McGeady loses out to Neilson on the Celtic left.

62 mins: McGeady replaces Thompson for Celtic.

62 mins: Cesnauskis feeds Elliot on the right, and his low cross is a good one, but neither Skacel or Jankauskas attacked it.

61 mins: McManus is forced into a rushed clearance that only finds Hartley. His cross is aimed for Skacel, but he pushes Telfer and it's a Celtic free kick.

60 mins: Webster goes down under Hartson's aerial challenge, much to the annoyance of the Celtic striker.

60 mins: Skacel runs into Balde looking for a free kick, but the ref is uninterested.

59 mins: Jankauskas is penalised for backing into McManus.

58 mins: Boruc is out quickly to gather the ball near the edge of his area.

57 mins: Maloney goes down in the area under Pressley's tackle, and that could well ahve been a penalty for Celtic.

56 mins: Thompson's ball in is headed clear by Pressley.

56 mins: Hartson wins a free kick as he challenges for a header with Webster.

55 mins: GOAL - PEARSON: Good goal to get Celtic back in the game. Maloney sprung the offside trap on the left and whipped the ball in where substitute Pearson is on hand to tuck the ball away just four minutes after coming on.

54 mins: Skacel pokes the ball narrowly wide, but it wouldn't have counted as the flag was up.

54 mins: Cesnauskis' cross is headed clear by Lennon. Hartson challenges with Neilson for the ball, and the Celtic man is booked for swatting Neilson away.

53 mins: Celtic have changed the plan, with Pearson now moving into the centre, and Thompson going back out to the left.

52 mins: Thompson's kick is plucked out of the air by Gordon.

52 mins: Pearson is involved straight away, as his cross is deflected behind for a corner by Cesnauskis.

51 mins: Pearson has gone out to the left, with Thompson coming inside to take Petrov's role in central midfield.

50 mins: Pearson replaces the injured Petrov, who has injured his right hamstring.

49 mins: Nakamura breaks menacingly down the left. He plays in Petrov, but he pulls up injured. Could be a hamstring injury and it looks liek he's going to have to go off.

48 mins: Brellier looks for Cesnauskis but he is outmuscled by Lennon and it's a Celtic goal kick.

47 mins: Maloney loses out to Cesnauskis who is then dispossessed by a fine tackle from Lennon.

46 mins: Hearts get the second half underway knowing they will cut Celtic's lead in the SPL to a single point if they hold on to their lead.

45 mins: The half-time whistle blows, and Hearts will be delighted with their performance in this first half. They are full value for their lead, and could have extended it, with Skacel spurning a couple of presentable opportunities. Elliot and Jankauskas are both looking lively up front for Hearts, while Celtic generally - and Balde in particular - are struggling desperately at the back.

45 mins: Another chance for Skacel but he takes a touch allowing Telfer to recover and make the block.

45 mins: There will be a minimum of one minute of added time in the first half.

44 mins: Fine save from Boruc to keep Celtic in the game. Skacel was through but Boruc stayed big to block a stinging shot. Again Elliot was the provider.

43 mins: Maloney finds Thompson on the left. His cross is blocked by Cesnauskis, possibly with his arm prompting Celtic to appeal for a penalty.

43 mins: Skacel overhits the free kick, clearing Fyssas at the back post comfortably. Celtic have a goal kick.

42 mins: McManus earns a booking for a poor challenge on Jankauskas as Celtic lose their shape at the back, with Elliot giving Balde a torrid time.

41 mins: Webster and then Brellier clear under pressure from Hartson.

40 mins: Petrov is fouled by Cesnauskis, giving Celtic the chance to get the ball into the danger area.

39 mins: Hartson chases down a long clearance, but it's always too far ahead of him and Gordon gathers.

38 mins: Fyssas can't keep the ball in play as he tries to get a cross in and it's a Celtic goal kick.

38 mins: Hartley elects to cross rather than shoot and McManus clears.

37 mins: Brilliant lay off from Elliot releases Cesnauskis who is tripped by Balde, earning the defender a booking and Hearts a dangerous free kick.

36 mins: Good play from Nakamura on the right and his cross is just about smothered by Gordon as Petrov tries to get on the end of it.

35 mins: Elliot takes on Wallace on the right, but can't get his foot round the ball to get a cross into play.

35 mins: Nakamura's pass evades Thompson and another Celtic move breaks down disappointingly.

34 mins: Elliot's flick on is hacked clear by Balde.

33 mins: Hartson is penalised for a foul on Pressley and referee Brines wants a word with both men, but doesn't show any cards.

33 mins: Neilson fouls Thompson in midfield.

32 mins: Lovely touch from Jankauskas allows Hartley to break on the right, but Wallace gets back to challenge.

32 mins: Wallace's ball is dummied by Petrov, but Hearts clear.

31 mins: Telfer's long throw is easily claimed by Gordon.

30 mins: Decent football from Celtic as they build patiently in midfield but Hearts eventually clear at the expense of a throw.

29 mins: Hartson tries to chest the ball onto Petrov but Webster nips in to clear.

28 mins: Lovely football on the right from Hearts with Hartley, Jankauskas and especially Elliot involved prominently. Elliot's cross is a good one, and Skacel heads narrowly wide. Boruc is furious with his defenders for not dealing with that situation.

27 mins: The game restarts with a proper contested drop ball and amid the shin kicking, Celtic emerge with the ball, but Hartson is flagged offside.

26 mins: Nakamura finds Petrov but Brellier makes the challenge just as Petrov shapes to shoot and Petrov is hurt.

25 mins: Fyssas breaks down the left for Hearts, but his cross is poor and Celtic bring the ball out of defence.

24 mins: Good driving run from Hartson takes him into the box, but he and Maloney get their wires crossed and Hearts clear.

23 mins: Good passing move from Celtic ultimately comes to nought as Thompson's long ball clears Hartson and Fyssas clears. There was a little clash between Lennon and Elliot, but it was handbags.

22 mins: Wallace does well to hold off Cesnauskis and earn a goal kick for Celtic.

21 mins: Good move from Celtic comes to nothing as Lennon shoots wildly high and wide.

20 mins: Great play from Elliot on the left, beating two Celtic defenders before teeing up Skacel who should have done better, shooting tamely at Boruc. Good chance for the home side to extend their lead.

19 mins: Wallace does well on the left before passing inside to Petrov, but his long-range effort lacks power and Gordon gathers the shot at the second attempt.

19 mins: Fyssas' ball into the box is coolly nodded back to his keeper by Telfer.

18 mins: Cesnauskis' cross is headed clear by McManus.

17 mins: Good work from Elliot in the corner earns Hearts a throw.

17 mins: Hartson is penalised for a foul on Webster as they contest a header.

16 mins: Maloney's shot takes a slight deflection but Gordon catches impressively.

15 mins: Hearts break but Jankauskas is offside.

14 mins: Nakamura's through ball is just too far ahead of Petrov.

14 mins: Hartson is caught offside from Boruc's clearance.

13 mins: This time Boruc comes out and collects comfortably.

13 mins: Cesnauskis' shot deflects behind off the wall for a corner. Will Celtic defend this one any better?

12 mins: Another sliced clearance from Balde puts Celtic under pressure. Hartley takes on the bungling defender and, sure enough, Balde fouls him giving Heaerts a free kick in a dangerous area.

11 mins: Hartson's flick on from Boruc's long clearance goes behind for a goal kick.

11 mins: The game resumes and Pressley seems OK.

9 mins: Thompson's ball in is headed clear by Pressley who clashes heads with McManus causing a delay in proceedings for treatment.

8 mins: GOAL - PRESSLEY: Skacel's corner causes absolute chaos in the Celtic area as Boruc thinks about coming for it and Pressley powers a header home from close range. Woeful defending again from the leaders.

7 mins: Hearts win a corner on the right.

6 mins: GOAL - WALLACE (OG): Good play from Hearts but poor defending again from Celtic. Great take from Elliot who rode a tackle before releasing Harltey on the left. Hartley's cross intended for Jankauskas is diverted into his own goal by Wallace.

5 mins: More confusion in the Celtic defence as Balde and McManus almost get in eachother's way.

4 mins: Glorious chance for Petrov. Celtic break quickly from Hearts' corner and Thompson's left-wing cross finds Petrov unmarked six yards out but he heads over the bar.

4 mins: Very cagey defending but Celtic eventually clear.

4 mins: Skacel whips the ball in from the right, and Wallace heads behind to give Hearts the first corner of the game.

3 mins: Neat play from Jankauskas who finds Elliot, but his pass is misplaced and the move breaks down.

2 mins: McManus heads clear under pressure from Elliot.

1 mins: Balde slices a clearance under no pressure and Hearts have a throw.

1 mins: Hartson's flick releases Maloney on the right, but Webster snuffs out the threat.

1 mins: Celtic get this top-of-the-table clash underway.

Pre-match: Hearts have the chance to reduce the deficit at the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League on leaders Celtic to one point here at Tynecastle.

The Gorgie side go into the keenly-awaited encounter on a high after beating Falkirk 5-0 in their last outing.

Head coach Graham Rix, still without first choice striker Roman Bednar who is out with a thigh strain, keeps the same starting XI who thrashed the Bairns with 18-year-old Calum Elliot and Edgaras Jankauskas leading the line.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan makes only one change to the side which beat Livingston 2-1 on Boxing Day, experienced midfielder Alan Thompson replacing youngster Aiden McGeady who drops to the bench.

Defender Bobo Balde, criticised for sloppy defending against the Almondvale men, retains his place but is playing his last game before joining the Guinea squad for the African Nations Cup.

Teams

Hearts: Gordon, Neilson, Pressley, Webster, Fyssas, Cesnauskis, Hartley, Brellier, Skacel, Elliot, Jankauskas.

Subs: Banks, MacFarlane, McAllister, Simmons, Berra, Pospisil, Wallace.

Celtic: Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Wallace, Petrov, Lennon, Nakamura, Thompson, Hartson, Maloney.
Subs: Marshall, McGeady, Lawson, Virgo, Pearson, Du, Camara.

Referee: I Brines (Scotland).

Taken from sportinglife.com

Taken from sportinglife.com