Celtic 1-0 Heart of Midlothian
From Hearts Media at Celtic Park.

Eggert Jonsson missed a late penalty as Hearts succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Celtic in Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League encounter at Celtic Park.

A wondergoal from Victor Wanyama put the hosts ahead in the 70th minute, but Hearts were awarded a penalty minutes from time only to see Fraser Forster deny Jonsson's spot kick.

Sergio made three changes to the side that lost to St Johnstone last Saturday. Ian Black and Ryan Stevenson returned to their respective midfield and striking roles, whilst there was a chance to impress for young Scott Robinson as he was tasked with spearheading the midfield five.

The youngster, to his credit, made an encouraging start to the game thanks to a combination of well-timed runs and challenges. In fact the Jambos looked comfortable in possession during the early stages, yet failed to cause the home defence too much concern.

Celtic soon began to impose themselves but they too were finding it hard to create any significant goal scoring opportunities against a well organised maroon backline.

It took until the half hour mark for the home side to create the first real chance of the afternoon. James Forrest cut in from the right before finding Gary Hooper on five yards with his back to goal. The Englishman spun round quickly but poked the ball inches wide of Marian Kello's bottom right post.

Hearts immediately issued a response but Robinson's drive from twenty yards flew harmlessly over Forster's crossbar.

The game picked up a notch at this stage and Hooper once again went close after being teed up by Georgios Samaras inside the box, but Kello was on hand to block his close range effort.

Hearts staved off the continued Celtic pressure however and the home crowd were growing increasingly agitated with their side's lack of precision in the final third.
Sloppy passing was proving a particular problem for Lennon's men, and it could have resulted in a Hearts goal on the stroke of half time. David Templeton broke free on the halfway line but his through ball to Stevenson from the edge of the box was lacklustre and the ball trickled wide.

The second half picked up where the first left off as the hosts continued to pour forward without much joy. Hearts were thus enabled to hit them on the break, and Robinson went close on 57 minutes only to see his scoffed shot from six yards picked up Forster.

The home side were then denied by the crossbar on the hour mark after James Forrest's cross from the right found the head of Hooper on five yards, with Kello much relieved to see his effort crash off the upright.

Celtic continued to apply the pressure yet the Jambos looked assured in possession, but ultimately lacked the cutting to punish the home side.

Their failure to take their chance eventually proved costly as Celtic Park erupted on 70 minutes thanks to thunderous strike by Victor Wanyama. The midfielder picked up the ball from twenty five yards and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top right corner.

It was a bitter blow for the Gorgie side who felt the free kick given prior to the goal was unjustified, but there was no disputing the quality of Wanyama's finish.

The goal prompted Hearts to make a triple substitution as Stephen Elliott, Andrew Driver and David Obua all entered the fray with fifteen minutes remaining.

Celtic continued to look dangerous, however, and Kello had to be at full stretch to deny Stokes as he hit a low drive from the edge of the box.

Driver then broke free down the left and weaved his way through two defenders as he cut inside the box before setting up Mehdi Taouil, but the Moroccan's finish was comfortably saved by Forster.

The boys in maroon were then handed a lifeline in the 87th minute as referee Calum Murray awarded them a penalty. Eggert Jonsson stepped up but Forster got a hand to it and tipped it wide as the Jam Tarts missed a spot kick for the second week running.

The Jambos kept looking for a leveller but Celtic eventually saw the game out to secure the three points. There were some heated exchanges at full time, however, with both sets of players colliding after a confrontation between Scott Brown and Jamie Hamill.

As the tension subdued, however, Hearts were left to rue the last minute penalty miss which could have earned them a credible draw. Instead they headed back along the M8 empty handed and must now refocus for the visit of Dunfermline next week.

Celtic: Forster; Ri, Majstorovic, Loovens(Brown 45), Mulgrew; Forrest, Wanyama, Keyal(Ki 67), Samaras; Stokes(Bangura 88), Hooper. Subs not used: Zaluska, Wilson, McGeouch, Twardzik.

Hearts: Kello; Hamill, Zaliukas, Mrowiec, McGowan; Jonsson, Black(Obua 78), Taouil, Templeton (Driver 78), Robinson(Elliott 78); Stevenson. Subs not used: MacDonald, Skacel, Novikovas,Mullen.

Referee: Calum Murray

Top man: Scott Robinson

Hearts World