SPFL

Wednesday, March 3, 2023

Celtic Park, Glasgow

CELTIC… 3

(Maeda 25’, Kyogo 60’, Haksabanovic 84’)

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN… 1

(Ginnelly 6’)

Ange Postecoglou marked his 100^th game in charge as Celtic manager with his 74^th victory courtesy of a 3-1 win over Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership.

Falling behind early to a Josh Ginnelly header, Celtic responded as they do so often through Daizen Maeda, Kyogo and then a stunner from Sead Haksabanovic sealing all three points in the first of a double-header over the space of four days against Hearts.

With the 250^th goal marked in Sunday’s 5-1 win over St Mirren, the next landmark was to ensure the manager’s 100^th match would end in victory, but as starts go, things didn’t go exactly to plan as on the sixth minute, Hearts took the lead.

At one end, Maeda raced through and flashed a shot across the face of the goal before the offside flag was raised, with Hearts going straight on the attack with Ginnelly heading Andy Halliday’s cross into the net.

The offside flag was also raised on the Hearts attacker but after a check from VAR the goal was given and Celtic were behind.

That only seemed to stir the Hoops into action as Hearts were quickly pinned back inside their own 18-yard box, desperately clearing wave after wave of green and white attacks.

The best chance fell to Liel Abada who scuffed a Maeda cross from the left on 22 minutes, but just three minutes later, the Japanese forward would be the one to level the scoring.

Anthony Ralston created the opportunity with a perfect ball through the side of the Hearts defence for the lively Kyogo. Running in behind but always playing with his head up, he spotted Maeda in acres of space in the box, cut the ball across and let his compatriot slide in for his 10^th of the season.

Well, so he thought, as the offside flag was again raised on Kyogo, but after another lengthy delay the lines showed the striker to be yards onside and the goal was awarded.

Unfortunately, it was Maeda’s last action as he was forced off with an injury with Jota on in his place.

As Celtic continued to push to go into the lead, the Portuguese went closest before the end of the half, as he crashed a shot off the base of the post from more than 20 yards.

From the resulting corner, Ralston spectacularly sent an overhead kick onto the roof of the net.

100 not out for the manager as Celtic come from behind to defeat Hearts