Scottish Premiership: Hearts 3 (Murray OG 6, Kyziridis 52 Shankland 55) Celtic 1 (McGregor 12)
On April 16th, 1960, Hearts claimed the single point at St Mirren that was sufficient to earn a second Scottish title in three years. There have been flickers of hope during the intervening spell – most notably in 1965 and 1986 – but seldom has optimism surged through Tynecastle Park in this manner.
The Hearts class of 2025 now lead Celtic by eight points and 11 goals. They will return to St Mirren on Wednesday night with the supposedly impossible dream edging ever closer to becoming a true reality. People assert Hearts will not and cannot be champions or even contenders, because of what record books show. Hard evidence on the football field suggests another narrative entirely.
This story is multifaceted, hence it is so intriguing. The Brighton owner, Tony Bloom, took his place in the directors’ box for this victory over Celtic, leaping with joy as all three Hearts goals struck the net. Bloom’s investment, born out of the belief that his preferred recruitment tool will prevail, has caught the imagination of everyone who has been bored by an Old Firm title duopoly dating back four decades.
The singing of Bloom’s name is funny in a way – so many others behind the scenes have played a part in this success story – but perfectly captures the mood. Hearts are a fine team, presided over by a manager in Derek McInnes who looks an ideal fit. His career is being rejuvenated as Hearts march on.
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There is also undeniable weakness within Glasgow’s big two. This is no particular shock as regards Rangers – who have continually flattered to deceive domestically – but Celtic’s decline is quite something. A team that went toe-to-toe with Bayern Munich in the knockout phase of last season’s Champions League are now grasping for air in the Scottish Premiership.
“At 3-1, I never really felt under too much threat,” said McInnes. He did not mean it this way but this constituted quite the insult from McInnes towards the visitors. It was also wholly accurate.
Celtic have injuries and a manager, Brendan Rodgers, who insists his work ethic is stronger than ever but there is a black cloud hovering above the champions that will not shift easily. This is a side who have dropped 10 points within just nine league games. It is frankly impossible to foresee them going on a winning run of a dozen matches. Hearts’ return is 25 points out of 27.
This aligning of stars mean Hearts may never have a better chance to make history. Quite understandably, McInnes plays down that scenario yet people inside this famous old ground quite clearly believe. The Hearts support seemed almost surprised by the blissful simplicity of victory here.
Hearts hit the front, were hauled back to parity and then revelled in three second half minutes that placed Celtic in an impossible position. It is six months since the Edinburgh club lost a match. “We shall not be moved”? It is hardly a fanciful cry.
Dane Murray, drafted into the Celtic central defence after the injury sustained by Cameron Carter-Vickers, panicked as Lawrence Shankland fired the ball across goal to hand Hearts the lead. Murray’s attempt at a clearance instead found the back of his own net.
Celtic responded impressively if briefly. Callum McGregor, their standout player, picked up Kieran Tierney’s cutback to level the scores. Later, McGregor was almost shaking with rage when trying to articulate his team’s recurring shortcomings.
They were exposed by Alexandros Kyziridis, a left winger who specialises in cutting infield and on to his right foot. What did Celtic let him do? By way of thanks, Kyziridis lashed a low shot beyond the motionless Kasper Schmeichel.
Hearts were soon to reach an untouchable place. Claudio Braga drew a foul from Murray, leaving Shankland to convert the resultant penalty. Hearts’ record signing, the Brazilian midfielder Ageu, should have notched a fourth but was wasteful. Celtic had flurries in front of goal without ever looking convincing.
If these players in green and white lack belief in themselves, it seems futile for anybody else to confidently predict Hearts will be chased down. Rodgers is searching desperately for solutions that are far from obvious. Welcome to a wacky, long overdue Scottish title drama. – Guardian
