Hearts 2 - Celtic 1

Heading to Tynecastle on the sunday we knew that a win would put us 3 points ahead of Hearts and 2 ahead of the Gers, and surely give us a vital headstart on our biggest rivals with only 2 games played.

The game started with a Celtic 11 that saw Telfer come in for Camara and Wilson shift to left back (Surprise Surprise) in the only change from the Celtic team that took the field against Kilmarnock. No room was made for Lennon.

The match started poorly with both teams taking their time to get to grips with the game - and the pitch (which was waterlogged on our first half right back flank). That said Hearts settled the quicker and slowly started to create a few half chances but still we awaited the Hoops (sorry Stripes) waking up from their slumber. Well I'm still waiting on the wake up and its monday morning!!

The first half was frustrating from a Celtic point of view as too many stray passes, lack of movement and composure on the ball meant we resorted to punting the ball forward, high into the Hearts half. A smart ploy given the aerial ability of our forwards and the lack of height by Elvis and his cohorts in the Jambos defence .... not! We created next to nothing and put in a very poor and disappointing first 45 minutes. The main highlight of the first 45mins was Strachans tiff with Hearts John McGlynn which saw both banished from the dugout. At least now it was still 0-0 at half time we would surely change things and more importnatly our approach for the second half. Think again!

We started the second half as we played the first 45 and within 5 minutes had conceded goal number 1. Telfer (biting my tongue as I type) was caught trying to play football out of defence on our right flank, and 2 passes later the ball was in the net by Bednar. He finished well, but the goal was all down to us losing possession and being nailed at the back. Hearts 1 - Celtic 0.

We then proceeded to get played off the park in midfield again and Hearts scored a perfectly good second goal which disallowed for offside. Against the run of play and with probably our only slick, positive, pass generated passage of play of the game we broke from defence, Naka played a cross firled pass which Miller back heeled into the path of McGeady who played a pass into the middle for an onrushing Petrov to smash a left foot shot into the net. 1-1 and surely the wake up call and turning point of the game. Onwards to victory?

Pearson and Lennon came on for Naka and a clearly not fully fit Miller. The game looked destined for a 1-1 draw when Lennon, with possession on the halfway line but with no movement or options ahead, decided to play the ball back to Brouc. Bad mistake!! The impressive Bednar nipped in on the short backpass, rounded Boruc and planted the ball in the back of the net. Hearts 2 - Celtic 1. That was the last action of the game.

The result was fair and left the Celts needing obvious failings addressed urgently. Whilst we will win our fair share of SPL games and score goals I remain convinced we will also concede alot of goals and lose games unless we sign quality players. We will not get as easy a run to the title as last season and currently I do not wish to think about our chances in the Champions League with that team.

Ratings:-

Boruc 6 - couldnt really be faulted with the goals.

Telfer 5 - messed up for first goal and didnt offer anything attacking wise to support Naka.

Caldwell 5 - not enough of a contribution.

McManus 6 - tried and gave a hard shift.

Wilson 6 - one of our better players but should be at right back.

Naka 6 - some nice first half touches but not enough support from Telfer.

McGeady 5 - not enough involvement.

Jarosik 5 - midfield was overrun and Jiri had a hard day of it.

Petrov 6 - fought hard and scored good goal.

Miller 4 - clearly not fit.

Zurawski 5 - made runs but got nothing out of Hearts defence.

BSCSC MAN OF MATCH - I honestly feel no Celt deserved such an accolade on a day when we were always second best.