Celtic 4-1 Hearts

Gary Hooper showed why he is so highly rated by manager Neil Lennon by scoring a double in Celtic's Clydesdale Bank Premier League win over Hearts at Parkhead

The Northern Irishman confirmed yesterday that the Scottish champions had rejected an offer, reported to be about £5million, from Norwich for the 24-year-old English striker.

Hooper showed why he is attracting attention from south of the border when he slid in an Adam Matthews cross in the second minute for his 19th goal of the season.

Georgios Samaras added a second 10 minutes later but after Jason Holt pulled a goal back in the 68th minute there was a nervy spell for the home side which only ended five minutes from time when Hooper grabbed a third, before substitute Lassad Nouioui, on for Matthews, grabbed a fourth in added time.

Lennon will be hoping that he will still have Hooper in his side before Celtic face Juventus in the last 16 of the Champions League next month but he will also be pleased that his side, if belatedly, ran up the scoreline their first-half superiority deserved.

Goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska was given a rare start for Celtic, replacing number one Fraser Forster, suffering with a neck problem which could keep him out for a couple of weeks.

Kelvin Wilson was suspended but Charlie Mulgrew moved into the centre of defence leaving Israel defender Rami Gershon, signed on loan from Standard Liege until the end of the season, to start on the bench along with striker Anthony Stokes who was back from an ankle injury which had kept him out since August.

Hearts had captain Marius Zaliukas and Ryan Stevenson suspended.

Former Rangers defender Danny Wilson, 21, who joined Hearts on loan for the rest of the season from Liverpool yesterday, made his debut alongside the returning Andy Webster, another ex-Ibrox player, who was made skipper.

Before the game started there was a minute's applause in memory of Sean Fallon, the former Celtic player and assistant manager, who died yesterday, aged 90.

The home fans were still remembering the Parkhead legend when the home side took the lead.

Right-back Matthews raced up the wing and got the break of the ball as he attempted a one-two before driving into the box and squaring for Hooper to slide in from a couple of yards out.

The Tynecastle side looked all over the place and there was no surprise when Celtic doubled their lead 10 minutes later.

Again, the danger came down the Jambos' left-hand side. Midfielder Kris Commons pushed his way past Kevin McHattie and turned Wilson before his shot was parried by keeper Jamie MacDonald out to Samaras who tapped into an empty net.

It looked like a Celtic goal-fest was on the cards but Hearts stabilised, to an extent, while the champions slackened off a bit.

Matthews was still providing Celtic's biggest threat down the right-hand side although in the 33rd minute it was Mulgrew who bravely stuck his head in front of Victor Wanyama's powerful but wayward drive, only to see the ball fly wide of the target.

Moments later, after Wanyama had initiated another attack, Commons turned McHattie before curling a shot towards the far post but his effort lacked the pace to trouble MacDonald.

Hooper then forced his way past the Hearts defence only to be thwarted by MacDonald with Joe Ledley's shot from the rebound blocked by Webster.

Jamie Walker replaced Callum Paterson for the start of the second half and within five minutes he had tested Zaluska with a low drive after skipping through the Celtic defence.

Seconds later Hooper had the ball in the net from a Commons cross but was ruled offside.

On the hour mark, with the Parkhead side in complete control, skipper Scott Brown headed a Matthews cross over the bar from eight yards and moments later Hooper set up Ledley, whose drive from 10 yards was well saved by MacDonald for a corner, which was defended.

Five minutes later Walker again made a chance for himself when he broke past Celtic defender Mikael Lustig before making his way into the Parkhead box but his shot went high over the bar.

Moments after Beram Kayal replaced Ledley, the visitors found themselves back in the game when Holt burst through the middle and unleashed a drive which deflected off Lustig and spun past Zaluska.

A game that had been a stroll for the home side took on an edge but in the 85th minute, following determined work by Brown, the ball fell to Hooper and he slammed it low past MacDonald.

Lassad made it four as the game nudged into added time when he converted a cross from Emilio Izaguirre.

The referee blows for the end of the match.

Correction - Emilio Izaguirre delivers the ball, A goal is scored by Lassad Nouioui from close range to the top left corner of the goal. Celtic 4-1 Hearts.The assist for the goal came from Emilio Izaguirre.
89

Emilio Izaguirre produces a cross, Lassad Nouioui grabs a goal from close range to the top left corner of the goal. Celtic 4-1 Hearts.Assist by Emilio Izaguirre.
89

Free kick awarded for a foul by Victor Wanyama on Jason Holt. Jason Holt takes the free kick.
88

Corner from the left by-line taken by Charlie Mulgrew, Headed chance falls to Victor Wanyama,
87

Dale Carrick is brought on as a substitute for Mehdi Taouil.
85

Gary Hooper finds the net with a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Celtic 3-1 Hearts.Assist on the goal came from Scott Brown.
84

Beram Kayal concedes a free kick for a foul on Callum Tapping. Andy Webster restarts play with the free kick. Thomas Rogne replaces Kris Commons.
82

The ball is sent over by Andrew Driver, save by Lukasz Zaluska.
79

The ball is crossed by Kris Commons, save by Jamie MacDonald.
78

Free kick awarded for a foul by Callum Tapping on Kris Commons. Scott Brown takes the indirect free kick.
77

The referee blows for offside. Jamie MacDonald takes the indirect free kick.
77

Foul by Kevin McHattie on Scott Brown, free kick awarded. Kevin McHattie receives a yellow card. Lassad Nouioui replaces Adam Matthews. Free kick taken by Kris Commons. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons, Jason Holt manages to make a clearance.
75

Unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras by Darren Barr results in a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick.
73

Emilio Izaguirre produces a cross, Headed effort from inside the box by Victor Wanyama misses to the right of the target.
72

The referee penalises Andrew Driver for handball. Adam Matthews takes the indirect free kick.
72

Scott Brown challenges Jason Holt unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Mehdi Taouil.
71

Darren Barr is booked. Dylan McGowan leaves the field to be replaced by Callum Tapping.
70

Georgios Samaras produces a cross, Danny Wilson manages to make a clearance.
70

A cross is delivered by Georgios Samaras, clearance by Danny Wilson.
69

Jason Holt gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Celtic 2-1 Hearts.The assist for the goal came from John Sutton.
68

The ball is swung over by Emilio Izaguirre, Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Save made by Jamie MacDonald.
67

Beram Kayal on for Joe Ledley.
65

Jamie Walker produces a left-footed shot from inside the area that goes over the bar.
64

The ball is sent over by Kris Commons, comfortable save by Jamie MacDonald.
62

Correction - The ball is sent over by Georgios Samaras, Joe Ledley takes a shot. Jamie MacDonald makes a save. Corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons from the left by-line, clearance made by Jason Holt.
60

Georgios Samaras delivers the ball, Joe Ledley takes a shot. Save by Jamie MacDonald. Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons, clearance made by Jason Holt.
60

The ball is delivered by Adam Matthews, Headed effort from close range by Scott Brown goes wide left of the goal.
58

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Darren Barr by Emilio Izaguirre. Andrew Driver restarts play with the free kick.
57

Victor Wanyama challenges Jason Holt unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Andrew Driver, Charlie Mulgrew makes a clearance.
56

The offside flag is raised against Gary Hooper. Jamie MacDonald takes the indirect free kick.
55

The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
51

Jamie Walker has an effort at goal. Save made by Lukasz Zaluska.
50

The ball is crossed by Gary Hooper, clearance made by Darren Barr. Outswinging corner taken by Kris Commons, clearance by John Sutton. Kris Commons takes the outswinging corner, Shot by Scott Brown. Andy Webster gets a block in.
47

The ball is delivered by Andrew Driver.
46

The match restarts for the second half.

Jamie Walker replaces Callum Paterson.
45

The referee calls an end to the first half.

The ball is delivered by Georgios Samaras, Darren Barr manages to make a clearance.
44

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Adam Matthews from the left by-line, clearance made by Jason Holt.
43

A cross is delivered by Andrew Driver, Mikael Lustig makes a clearance. Andrew Driver takes a outswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, Mikael Lustig makes a clearance.
42

Foul by Mikael Lustig on John Sutton, free kick awarded. Andrew Driver restarts play with the free kick.
41

The offside flag is raised against Victor Wanyama. Andy Webster restarts play with the free kick.
39

Callum Paterson crosses the ball, Andy Webster gets a block in. Corner taken left-footed by Andrew Driver, Victor Wanyama manages to make a clearance.
38

Joe Ledley takes a shot. Blocked by Andy Webster.
38

Kris Commons takes a shot. Save made by Jamie MacDonald.
36

Emilio Izaguirre produces a cross, clearance by Andy Webster.
35

Free kick awarded for a foul by Darren Barr on Joe Ledley. Charlie Mulgrew takes the direct free kick.
33

Victor Wanyama sends in a cross, Headed effort from inside the area by Charlie Mulgrew misses to the left of the goal.
32

Inswinging corner taken by Adam Matthews, clearance made by Dylan McGowan.
31

The ball is sent over by Emilio Izaguirre, save made by Jamie MacDonald.
27

The ball is delivered by Andrew Driver, clearance by Charlie Mulgrew.
26

Free kick awarded for a foul by Dylan McGowan on Victor Wanyama. Direct free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
24

Centre by Darren Barr, save made by Lukasz Zaluska.
24

Free kick awarded for a foul by Georgios Samaras on Andy Webster. Indirect free kick taken by Darren Barr.
23

Foul by Scott Brown on Mehdi Taouil, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Andy Webster.
18

Joe Ledley challenges Darren Barr unfairly and gives away a free kick. Darren Barr restarts play with the free kick.
18

The ball is delivered by Adam Matthews, save by Jamie MacDonald.
16

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kris Commons by Dylan McGowan. Indirect free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
12

Georgios Samaras finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the six-yard box low into the middle of the goal. Celtic 2-0 Hearts.Assist by Kris Commons.
11

Centre by Emilio Izaguirre, Jamie MacDonald makes a save.
10

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Adam Matthews from the left by-line, clearance made by Mehdi Taouil.
2

Gary Hooper grabs a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Celtic 1-0 Hearts.Assist by Adam Matthews.
1

The referee gets the game underway.

Taken from sportinglife.com