Hearts and Celtic Battle to a Thrilling Draw in Scottish Premiership Title Race
In a dramatic encounter at Tynecastle, Hearts twice came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw against Celtic, preserving their six-point advantage at the summit of the Scottish Premiership. This exhilarating match saw late goals, a red card, and significant implications for the three-way title tussle involving Rangers.
Match Overview and Key Moments
The game kicked off with Celtic taking an early lead in the seventh minute, as Benjamin Nygren curled a superb free-kick past Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon. This marked the first time Celtic had scored directly from a free-kick since 2021, setting the tone for a competitive fixture.
Hearts responded with pressure, creating several chances, but were denied by Celtic's Kasper Schmeichel. The hosts eventually equalised shortly after half-time when Stuart Findlay headed home from a corner delivered by debutant Marc Leonard.
Dramatic Twists and Turns
Celtic regained the lead in the 62nd minute through Yang Hyun Jun, who finished from close range after a cross from new signing Tomas Cvancara. However, the match took another turn when Celtic defender Auston Trusty was sent off in the 77th minute for denying a goalscoring opportunity, following a VAR review.
Capitalising on their numerical advantage, Hearts found a late equaliser in the 87th minute. Claudio Braga fired home from eight yards after a headed assist from substitute Oisin McEntee, ensuring the points were shared in a nail-biting finish.
Team Changes and Context
Hearts manager Derek McInnes made five changes to his side, missing key players like Lawrence Shankland, Beni Baningime, and Cammy Devlin. Notably, 43-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon returned to the starting lineup, adding experience between the posts.
Celtic introduced new loan signing Tomas Cvancara from Borussia Monchengladbach, who made an immediate impact with an assist. The draw allowed Rangers to move ahead of Celtic in the standings, closing the gap to Hearts to just four points, intensifying the championship race.
Implications for the Premiership Title
This result leaves Hearts in a strong position at the top of the table, but with Rangers now within striking distance, the title race remains wide open. The match highlighted the competitive nature of the Scottish Premiership, with both teams showing resilience and attacking flair.
As the season progresses, such dramatic draws could prove crucial in determining the eventual champions, making every point vital in this tightly contested league.
