Scottish Premiership
HeartsHeart of Midlothian1CelticCeltic0

Hearts 1-0 Celtic: Kyle Lafferty's stunning strike seals win over champions

By Chris McLaughlinBBC Scotland

A second-half volley from Kyle Lafferty clinched an enthralling victory for Hearts over defending champions Celtic.

The Northern Irishman produced a stunning finish on 57 minutes from the edge of the box to fire the Tynecastle club to their second win in two games.

Lafferty had two efforts saved in the first half by Craig Gordon while Mikael Lustig, Leigh Griffiths and Callum McGregor all went close for Celtic.

But Craig Levein's side held on to go clear at the top of the Premiership.

Seven players were booked during a fiery encounter including Steven Naismith, who appeared to kick out at Jonny Hayes on the stroke of half-time.

While it was a successful afternoon for the Edinburgh club, they finished the game without captain Christophe Berra, who went off just before the break with a hamstring injury.

Rodgers rests key men

With Celtic's Champions League future anything but certain following the 1-1 draw with AEK Athens earlier in the week, Brendan Rodgers dipped into his squad and rested some key players.

As his frustrated search for new players continues, he wouldn't be drawn on whether he thinks the current squad is strong enough to fight and win on two fronts. On this showing, he'll be concerned.

Jozo Simunovic looked slack for most of the afternoon and he gave Hearts possession that led to the goal. Uche Ikpeazu did well with the cross and Lafferty's finish was exquisite but the mistake certainly led to the chance.

Kouassi Eboue struggled up against a Hearts midfield that fought and scrapped for everything in a fierce contest that was fought mostly in the middle of the park. Jonny Hayes was favoured over James Forrest on the right but that didn't work out either.

The visitors looked slicker and more dangerous when the big boys emerged from the bench but by that time it was too late. Making so many changes against an impressive Hearts side was always going to be a gamble. In the Gorgie sunshine, it backfired for the champions.

'All about Hearts'

Much will be made about what this means for Celtic, but the afternoon belonged to Hearts. Their performance provided evidence that they could be ready to live up to their pre-season hype.

As questions continue to be asked about Celtic's lack of summer signings, Hearts' new acquisitions continue to look the part. Peter Haring, Ikpeazu and Ben Garuccio in particular have added real quality to a squad that was already looking more than decent.

Levein spent last year bringing on a number of academy players but this season that nurtured talent is being complimented by some experienced professionals who have the ability to change and win games.

Ikpeazu looks the pick of the bunch and as well as terrorising defences and scoring goals, he has also allowed the Hearts fans to believe in life after Lafferty. The Northern Ireland international may well stay but if he moves on to Rangers, those down Gorgie way have a new hero anyway.

On the final whistle, Levein leapt around the touchline like an excited eight-year-old on Christmas morning but his summer signings show the old head knows exactly what he is doing. On this showing, he may finally have a squad to match his ambitions.

Line-ups

Hearts

Formation 4-4-2

  • 1Zlamal
  • 2SmithBooked at 78mins
  • 4Souttar
  • 6BerraSubstituted forHughesat 45+3'minutes
  • 17GaruccioBooked at 39mins
  • 23MulraneyBooked at 23minsSubstituted forBozanicat 74'minutes
  • 8Lee
  • 5Haring
  • 14NaismithBooked at 62mins
  • 9LaffertyBooked at 8minsSubstituted forCochraneat 81'minutes
  • 19Ikpeazu

Substitutes

  • 7Bozanic
  • 13Doyle
  • 16Hughes
  • 18MacLean
  • 20Cochrane
  • 21McDonald
  • 38Morrison

Celtic

Formation 4-4-1-1

  • 1Gordon
  • 23Lustig
  • 5Simunovic
  • 4HendryBooked at 90mins
  • 63Tierney
  • 15HayesSubstituted forForrestat 63'minutes
  • 8Brown
  • 88KouassiSubstituted forRogicat 70'minutes
  • 11Sinclair
  • 42McGregor
  • 9GriffithsBooked at 50minsSubstituted forEdouardat 63'minutes

Substitutes

  • 18Rogic
  • 21Ntcham
  • 22Edouard
  • 29Bain
  • 35Ajer
  • 49Forrest
  • 73Johnston
Referee:
John Beaton
Attendance:
19,113

Match Stats

Home TeamHeartsAway TeamCeltic
Possession
Home49%
Away51%
Shots
Home14
Away13
Shots on Target
Home7
Away4
Corners
Home0
Away4
Fouls
Home18
Away7

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Heart of Midlothian 1, Celtic 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Heart of Midlothian 1, Celtic 0.

  3. Post update

    Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Oliver Bozanic (Heart of Midlothian).

  5. Booking

    Jack Hendry (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  6. Post update

    Foul by Jack Hendry (Celtic).

  7. Post update

    Steven Naismith (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  8. Post update

    Foul by Uche Ikpeazu (Heart of Midlothian).

  9. Post update

    Mikael Lustig (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  10. Post update

    Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.

  11. Post update

    Attempt saved. Harry Cochrane (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

  12. Post update

    John Souttar (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  13. Post update

    Foul by Scott Sinclair (Celtic).

  14. Post update

    Foul by Harry Cochrane (Heart of Midlothian).

  15. Post update

    Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  16. Substitution

    Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Harry Cochrane replaces Kyle Lafferty.

  17. Post update

    Foul by Oliver Bozanic (Heart of Midlothian).

  18. Post update

    Kieran Tierney (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  19. Post update

    Attempt saved. Olly Lee (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the centre of the goal.

  20. Booking

    M Smith (Heart of Midlothian) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Elsewhere on the BBC