Hearts 1 Celtic 1

Apr 13 2009 David Mccarthy

GORDON STRACHAN might well have left Tynecastle thanking his lucky stars that Celtic don't have to go there again this season.

But they might, you know.

If Motherwell manage to take the final place available in the top six, the convoluted and complicated fixture schedule could force the league leaders to negotiate their third 90 minutes of the season at this bearpit and the destination of the championship might just be decided by it.

Make no mistake, this is not a ground you want to go to with your hopes and dreams hanging in the balance.

Not with a home support that has never been backward about coming forward so close to the players they can feel their collective breath on the backs of their necks.

And not with a set of players as motivated as the team Csaba Laszlo has moulded.

The manager might look and act like a basketcase on the touchline - in fact at one stage Celtic No.2 Gary Pendrey pointed to his temple and shouted: "You're f****** mental" at him - but the Hungarian's men were focused and kept their heads in the heat of a ferocious battle. Laszlo didn't even notice Pendrey's verbals. He was too busy shouting at the world, pointing at the sky, kicking imaginary footballs and winning aerial challenges against non-existent foes.

But within the madness there is method. He has his team knowing exactly what they are doing and that is why Hearts have re-emerged as Scotland's third force and will almost certainly be playing European football next term.

They gave Celtic a goal of a start after just 26 seconds but didn't fold as they'd done earlier in the season against Strachan's team on their own pitch.

No, this time they took that sickening, selfinflicted blow on the chin and poured forward with power and purpose, urged on by a crowd that was as passionate as their manager.

Michael Stewart and Ruben Palazuelous chased and harried the Celtic midfield to such an extent their passing game deserted them completely, while out wide Andrew Driver and David Obua were switching flanks and stretching the visitors to the limit. Celtic played well for the first 26 seconds and last 10 minutes. In between they were second best by a distance.

Their manager benched Shunsuke Nakamura and went with Willo Flood but without the Japanese star's creativity his team had none.

Gary Caldwell was deployed in midfield but it took until the enforced half-time substitution of Stephen McManus for the former Hibs player to return to his natural position and allow the captain's replacement, Marc Crosas, to help Celtic's ball retention.

By that time, Hearts were deservedly level and might have been a goal up.

They were denied a penalty kick when Stewart, who had a fine afternoon, was fouled in the box by Glen Loovens, who didn't.

The Dutchman missed a great chance after the break, ballooning a Nakamura corner over the bar from six yards, but defensively he toiled against the movement of Hearts' lone striker Calum Elliot.

Shortly after the penalty claim, the home side levelled with a wonderful strike from Bruno Aguiar. The Portuguese midfielder got the ball up over the wall and down again with a free-kick that would have had Nakamua applauding had it not been against his team That goal, on the half hour, cancelled out Celtic's very early strike.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink hadn't scored for months until last Saturday against Hamilton but his volley in the first minute was his third goal in three games and the striker played like aman whose confidence is surging back.

He was helped by Hearts No.1 Janos Balogh, right enough. The keeper went down with all the agility of an arthritic pensioner trying to keep the shot out. Vennegoor of Hesselink clipped the bar with a header in the 18th minute and put him about to decent effect all afternoon but himself his team-mates reached the same heights.

Scott Brown lost the contest with Stewart, while Aiden McGeady and Flood in the wide areas could not get the better of Robbie Neilson and Lee Wallace. Hearts left back Wallace, in fact, was the pick of the bunch - defending solidly and bursting forward with real intent on a number of occasions.

That, allied to a fine range of passing, made him the pick of a very good bunch. With Crosas on the field, Celtic were more poised after the break and the game swung from end to end at a breathless pace.

It really was terrific stuff and the visitors had their own penalty claim when Nakamura's free-kick thudded into the arms of Stewart, who threw them up to protect his face.

Had Craig Thomson pointed to the spot it would have been soft but we've all seen them given.

There followed the traditional late charge from Celtic, who have scored winners 16 times in the last five minutes under Strachan.

Number 17 didn't come but they gave the Hearts supporters palpatations.

Nakamura had a shot saved by Balogh and his countryman Kiko Mizuno also came off the bench and fizzed a shot inches wide.

But Hearts held out and it would have been harsh on them if they hadn't. They remain firmly on track for Europe and will give anybody a game on their own patch.

They left the pitch happier but the look on the Celtic players' faces told a story. They were gutted at dropping two points but it could have been far worse.

Time will tell if this is one point gained or two dropped but they'll be delighted if they don't see Tynecastle again until August or September.

Man Of The Match Lee Wallace (Hearts)

HEARTS

MAN BY MAN

Janos Balogh: Caught cold with the early goal and looked very nervous afterwards. 5

Robbie Neilson: Had to be on toes against McGeady but handled him well. 6

Christos Karapidis: Recovered from shock start to have a very sound match. 7

Marius Zaluikas: Solid in defence and one great run forward almost nicked goal. 7

Lee Wallace: Composed in possession and range of passing was excellent. 8

David Obua: Pacy and direct on both flanks but final ball could have been better. 6

Michael Stewart: Fine show full of drive and energy. Could've had first-half penalty.7

Ruben Palazuelos: Did a lot of the boring work in the engine room very well. 6

Andrew Driver: Started on right but kept switching with Obua to create problems. 6

Bruno Aguiar: Fantastic strike levelled the match and played well throughout. 7

Calum Elliot: Lone striker did well against two big centre-backs. 8

Subs: Christian Nade - got last 15 minutes for Elliot and did well, 5. Mike Tullberg - replaced Aguiar late in the match, 3.

CELTIC MAN BY MAN

Artur Boruc: Beaten all ends up by Aguiar but few other moments of trouble. 6

Andreas Hinkel: Crossed for opener but spent most of his time on the back foot. 6

Glenn Loovens: Not most comfortable game but should've scored from corner. 5

Stephen McManus: Booked for foul on Aguiar and off at half-time with an injury. 4

Lee Naylor: Solid performance and looked to push forward in the second half. 6

Gary Caldwell: Deployed in midfield but moved back after break with McManus off. 7

Willo Flood: Rare start but struggled with ferocious pace of the match and replaced. 5

Scott Brown: No shortage of effort but not his best afternoon in terms of passing. 6

Aiden McGeady: Ran into traffic too often and final ball wasn't great either. Subbed. 6

Scott McDonald: Held ball up well but didn't have a chance of note in the game. 6

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink: Got team off to dream start. Put himself about. 7

Subs: Marc Crosas - on for McManus and looked composed in midfield, 6. Shunsuke Nakamura - on for Flood to try to add much needed creativity, 5. Koki Mizuno - almost hero with late drive that flew wide, 3.

MAGIC MOMENT

Bruno Aguiar's equaliser from the free kick was a sublime piece of skill.

Taken from the Daily Record