Hearts 1-2 Celtic: Lennon leads Celtic to eighth successive league win

Published Date: 08 May 2010
By BARRY ANDERSON
AT TYNECASTLE
CELTIC recorded an eighth successive league victory under Neil Lennon by virtue of Zhi Zheng's exquisite winning goal on the hour mark, leaving Hearts to end their season with defeat but a positive performance nonetheless.that command favouritism at Tannadice, at 11/10 with Betdaq while
The hosts attacked relentlessly at times and went close to an equaliser on several occasions after Zhi restored Celtic's lead, but ultimately they could not add to Marius Zaliukas strike. The Lithuanian was culpable when Robbie Keane struck the opening goal but atoned with the equaliser nine minutes before the interval. Zhi then produced a stunning piece of ball control followed by a finish which rendered Jamie MacDonald helpless, and that proved sufficient to prise three points from Tynecastle.

Both managers conducted four changes, the most notable being the enforced removal of Lee Wallace from the Hearts team after he failed a pre-match fitness test. Ruben Palazuelos was also precluded by injury while Ian Black and Suso were not risked because they are on the threshold of a domestic suspension, which would kick in with one more caution. The four players reinstated by Jim Jefferies were Craig and Jason Thomson, David Obua and Larry Kingston.

Celtic were without Artur Boruc, Lee Naymor, Diomansy Kamara and Landry N'Guemo for a match which was Keane's last for the club. It could also prove to be Neil Lennon's final act as manager, although that issue will be settled at a forthcoming meeting with the Parkhead hierarchy.

The match began at frenetic pace with Hearts pressing most fervently. Neither side was permitted space to settle into a particular passing rhythm but the high tempo seemed to suit the hosts as they looked to unsettle Celtic. That was until the visitors applied a touch of their own pressure and promptly scored on 23 minutes through Keane. Craig Thomson ceded possession to Edson Braafeid on the Hearts right and the ball was transferred to Aiden McGeady. The winger's through ball ricocheted off the leg of a rather dilatory Zaliukas and into the path of Keane. The on-loan Tottenham striker displayed admirable composure one on one with MacDonald to slide the ball low into the net at the goalkeeper's left side, his 16th goal in 19 Celtic appearances.

It required a full-stretch save from Lukasz Zaluska to deny Hearts an equaliser on 35 minutes. Kingston supplied Jason Thomson for a first-time cross which Obua glanced tantalisingly towards the far corner of the Celtic goal. The Polish goalkeeper's right fingertips touched the ball to safety, but he was helpless as Zaliukas restored parity 60 seconds later. After Darren O'Dea had fouled Calum Elliot, Craig Thomson dispatched the resultant free-kick low and powerfully across goal and the Lithuanian was well position for a first-time conversion.

Hearts finished the first period strongest as they probed for a second goal. David Templeton and Keane both saw attempts arc narrowly wide following the resumption of play, and then the Celtic players brought ridicule upon themselves when a Braafeid free-kick nestled in the net only to be disallowed. Referee Craig Thomson had stood impassively with his right arm in the air following the preceeding foul by David Obua on Mark Wilson, clearly indicating that he had awarded an indirect free-kick for the infringement. Braafheid stepped up to angle the ball low to MacDonald's right and into the net, but his celebrations were cut short. A possé of Celtic players - led by Scott Brown and all of whom were blatantly ignorant of the game's rules - protested to the referee. Lennon also required speaking to by the match official after ranting in his technical area. The upshot was an indirect free-kick to Hearts.

Celtic did, however, restore their advantage on the hour mark with a well executed goal by Zhi . Keane's chipped cross was headed into the air by Zaliukas and Zhi controlled the dropping ball beautifully with his right foot before turning to hook a left-footed shot out of MacDonald's reach and high into the net.

Jim Jefferies was next to incur the wrath of referee Thomson, although the manager's ire was understandable when a blatant foul on Templeton went unpunished. From Templeton's through ball Elliot carved an opening for Stevenson but the midfielder's tame left-footed effort posed no trouble for Zaluska. Braafheid then blocked Craig Thomson's shot almost on the Celtic goal line as Hearts' frustrations intensified while pursuing an equaliser.

Stevenson sent a header over from Jason Thomson's cross and, at the opposite end, Keane's cross eluded MacDonald only for Jonsson to step in and clear. Celtic were content to close out the match but Hearts continued pressing towards the final whistle, ultimately without success.

Hearts (4-4-2): MacDonald; J Thomson, Bouzid, Zaliukas, Jonsson; C Thomson, Kingston, Stevenson, Templeton; Elliot, Obua. Subs: Lyness, Kucharski, Novikovas 82 (for C Thomson), Glen, Mulrooney, Smith 87 (for Kingston), Robinson 76 (for Elliot).

Celtic: (4-4-2): Zaluska; Hinkel, Thompson, O'Dea, Braafheid; Zhi, Wilson, Brown, McGeady; Fortune, Keane. Subs: Cervi, Crosas, Forrest 90 (for McGeady), Rasmussen 68 (for Fortune), McGowan 90 (for Keane), Caddis, McGinn.

Referee: Craig Thomson.

Attendance: 14,389.

Taken from the Scotsman