super celts outclass hearts to cut gap
David Friel
CELTIC cut Rangers lead at the top of the SPL to eight points after completely outclassing Hearts in a 2-0 win.
After a goalless first half, the Hoops came to life with two goals in two minutes after the break. Glenn Loovens grabbed the first and Marc-Antoine Fortune rolled in a second.
Celtic, with Aiden McGeady at his brilliant best, ran Hearts ragged but couldn’t find a third, with Robbie Keane coming close on numerous occasions. Rangers drew 1-1 at Motherwell, so Celtic have cut the gap at the top.
It was an impressive, confident display by Celtic. Every area of the team functioned well, with teenager Josh Thompson excelling at the back. The only negative aspect was knocks picked up by Loovens and Edson Braafheid.
Hoops boss Tony Mowbray made three changes to the side that started against Dunfermline on Sunday. Keane, Fortune and McGeady come into the side in place of Georgios Samaras, Marc Crosas and Morten Rasmussen.
With Keane, Diomansy Kamara and Braafheid all making their home debuts for Celtic, there was a positive feeling around Celtic Park as the game kicked off. Celtic immediately hogged possession but Hearts were happy to sit back.
Keane had Celtic’s first chance in eight minutes. Thompson moved out of defence and clipped a ball over the Hearts back four. The Irish striker raced clear on the left but his shot found the side-netting from a tight angle.
With Hearts putting at least 10 men behind the ball all the time, there was little space for Celtic to work in. Keane, always playing on the shoulder of the last man, was released three times but was flagged offside every time.
Hearts occasionally threatened on the break, but Artur Boruc was rarely troubled. Celtic were constantly probing and finally managed to create two clear-cut openings.
The first fell to Fortune in 26 minutes. Paul Caddis made progress on the right and found Kamara at the edge of the box. He flicked into the path of Scott Brown and his shot was saved by Marian Kello. The rebound fell to Fortune, but his shot was saved by Kello from point-blank range.
That was a let-off for Hearts and Celtic threatened again just three minutes later. McGeady skipped past two challenges and played a lovely ball through for Keane. He was 10 yards out with the goalkeeper to beat, but Kello again won the battle with a save low to his left.
After that, the game followed a familiar pattern. Celtic dominated and Hearts sat back, only occasionally venturing forward. Celtic did have half-chances. Loovens headed over and Kamara’s drive was too high as the first-half ended goalless.
Celtic now had to show their character and the players came flying out of the traps at the start of the second half with two quick goals to leave Hearts stunned.
Fortune was in the thick of the action as Celtic took the lead in 49 minutes. He won a corner with a great burst. The ball was played in by Kamara and Loovens took a touch before volleying home from eight yards.
Hearts never had to time to compose themselves before it was 2-0. McGeady picked up possession in the centre-circle and ghosted past two challenges before picking out the run of Fortune. His low finish was clinical.
Loovens limped off to be replaced by debutant Thomas Rogne just after the hour-mark before Keane almost made it 3-0. McGeady picked him out in the box but his shot was blocked after a neat turn.
In 68 minutes, the Irishman had even better chance. Celtic broke upfield from a corner and Kamara slipped a pass to Keane. With Kello to beat, he hit his shot straight at the Hearts goalkeeper.
Braafheid, who had taken a heavy knock, was replaced by Ki Sung Yueng with 13 minutes remaining. Georgios Samaras then replaced goal hero Fortune.
Ki, who looked bright in midfield, then sent Keane scampering away but the Irish striker fired his shot over the bar from eight yards. Kamara also raced free on the left but sent his shot across the face of goal.
Hearts were beaten long before the end and Ian Black was extremely lucky not to get a red card when he kicked out at Thompson.
Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Celtic Park, Glasgow
CELTIC…2
(Loovens 49, Fortune 50
HEARTS…0
CELTIC (4-4-2) Boruc; Caddis, Thompson, Loovens (Rogne 62), Braafheid (Ki 77); McGeady, Brown, NGuemo, Kamara; Keane, Fortune
Subs not used: Zaluska, Zheng, Rasmussen, Crosas
HEARTS (4-5-1) Kello; Jonsson, Kucharski, Zaliukas, Wallace; Stevenson, Stewart, Black; Mulrooney (Santana 73), Obua, Nade (Glen 73)
Subs not used: Balogh, Witteveen, R Wallace, Balatoni, Smith
WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: Aiden McGeady
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