Hearts V Celtic (Tynecastle Park 26/01/2022)

Hearts V Celtic – Cinch Scottish Premiership (26/01/2022)

A second return to Tynecastle Park in just over a week for me, after a break with no games it feels so good to be back again with two home games in quick succession. There’s something special about a game at Tynecastle under the lights, as I walked up towards the ground with the floodlights on the buzz hit instantly. Got a lift to the game tonight by fellow Jambo Colin, who was a lifesaver after I was looking for a lift on the newly started Forth Valley Hearts Supporters Club page,

There were boos again as John Souttar’s name was called pre match, but luckily the boo boys left it at that. It was what’s needed in a game against Celtic, as the players need the crowd behind them.

It was great to see on the 13th minute a minute applause for young Jambo Devin Gordon by both sets of supporters and players, who sadly passed away last week.

With 22 minutes played Michael Smith was forced off injured, as he went off holding his back, and was replaced by Nathaniel Atkinson. Five minutes later following an error from Atkinson, Hatate hit a screamer from about 30 yards out to give Celtic the lead.

In the 35th minute the visitors doubled their lead as Giakoumakis poked home at the near post, after some woeful defending. To be fair it should have been a Hearts free kick seconds earlier due to a handball and a Celtic player looked offside. But Hearts had played poor following the first goal.

Celtic fans had tickets in the home end, causing fighting in the stand. Poor as children there and that’s kind of thing that could put a kid off ever attending a game again. Cammy Devlin was booked for some afters following a challenge, which caused a bit of a melee amongst both teams.

Hearts were second best for the first half and sat too deep, allowing Celtic to play and come at them.

A debut for striker Ellis Simms at the start of the second half, who only joined hours before kick off on loan from Everton, as he replaced Josh Ginnelly who had struggled to get into the game.

Was good to see the return of Baningime on the hour mark after an injury lay-off. In the 62nd minute and the deficit was halved as Liam Boyce finished on well after an assist from Barrie McKay, a well taken goal from Boycie. The goal brought the stands to lift and the Tynie roar was in full voice.

Hearts were given a further lifeline as they were awarded a penalty in the 71st minute, but Liam Boyce’s well struck penalty hit the post and it went out for a goal kick. Admittedly I celebrated a little early as the penalty beat Joe Hart but not the post.

Worryingly with 10 minutes to play Craig Halkett knocked the ball out of play and went down, looks like another injury for the centre half as he headed straight down the tunnel.

A different second half but the 2 goal difference at the break was too much, as you can’t afford to give Celtic that kind of lead. But to be fair I feel that Hearts should have at least got a point for the second half performance, but it wasn’t meant to be.

So onto my ratings…

Ticket Price – Season Ticket

Programme Price – £4 (Double edition)

Programme Rating – 8/10

Refreshments – 8/10

Stadium Facilities – 7/10

Getting To Stadium – 8/10

Stadium Rating – 9/10

Thanks for reading my thoughts on Hearts against Celtic.

Daz Carding