Celtic 4-1 Hearts: Victory all but secures Scottish Premiership title in Ange Postecoglou's debut season

Match report as Celtic beat Hearts to move to the brink of the Scottish Premiership title; Ellis Simms gave Hearts an early lead; goals from Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, Matt O'Riley and Giorgos Giakoumakis secured win; Celtic will officially be champions if Rangers drop points on Sunday

By Alison Conroy

Saturday 7 May 2022 20:50, UK

Celtic are on the brink of being crowned Scottish Premiership champions after coming from behind to beat Hearts 4-1.

After drawing with Rangers last weekend, Celtic knew victory would mean their Old Firm rivals could match them on points but they have a vastly inferior goal difference.

Ellis Simms looked to spoil their party as he put the visitors in front after just three minutes.

How the teams lined up | Match stats
Scottish Premiership table

Daizen Maeda pulled Celtic level with Kyogo Furuhashi getting the title party started when he forced the ball over the line to take the lead before half-time.

Matt O'Riley guided the ball past Craig Gordon in the second half before Giorgos Giakoumakis came off the bench to make it 4-1 in injury time.

Celtic can officially be crowned champions as early as Sunday if Rangers fail to beat Dundee United at Ibrox.

How Celtic moved to the brink of the Scottish Premiership title

Hearts started on the front foot and took the lead inside three minutes as Simms lashed home from 12 yards after Liam Boyce had helped on Alex Cochrane's cross. Carl Starfelt appealed for offside as he failed to cut out the flick-on but his trailing leg was probably playing Simms on.

The on-loan Everton forward had a chance to add to his tally but Josh Ginnelly's cross was inches too high and he could not get enough power on his header to beat Joe Hart.

Celtic pushed forward and Gordon made an excellent stop from David Turnbull before saving Furuhashi's header. Turnbull then teed up O'Riley but the midfielder's effort was headed clear by Stephen Kingsley.

Despite the pressure, there was an audible anxiety among the home fans when moves broke down.

The home nerves calmed on the half-hour mark when Jota burst through the Hearts backline on the counter-attack and squared for Maeda to sweep home.

Hearts complained strongly to referee Don Robertson that Toby Sibbick had been fouled by Celtic skipper Callum McGregor when possession was turned over.

There were more arguments as Celtic went ahead seven minutes later.

Gordon scooped away Furuhashi's header after Jota had headed O'Riley's cross across the goal line but assistant referee Dougie Potter signalled for a goal. Television replays vindicated his decision.

Celtic could have moved clear before half-time but Gordon saved from O'Riley's free header.

Maeda failed to make the most of two chances early in the second half and O'Riley struck the inside of the post from 18 yards.

The tension reappeared as Hearts came back into the game and forced several set-pieces but the atmosphere was transformed in the 69th minute.

Jota was involved again, bringing down a high ball and feeding Greg Taylor's overlap. The left-back's deep cross was taken down by O'Riley and the midfielder side-footed the ball inside the far post.

Celtic Park went into celebratory mode and James Forrest and Reo Hatate came close to further extending the goal difference advantage before Giakoumakis fired home the fourth in the last minute following Forrest's cutback.

What the managers said

Kids come first for Ange Postecoglou as he admits he will not to watching what Rangers do against Dundee United:

"I just thought they were outstanding again, we played some outstanding football, scored four goals and probably should have had another four. Craig Gordon was outstanding as well.

"I just never get a sense with this group that they're going to veer off course or lose any belief in what we're trying to build.

"They've done it consistently this year with every challenge thrown at them.

"[Sunday] that's my kids' day so there's a new movie out that's on the agenda so we'll keep an eye on that!"

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson was frustrated by Celtic's equaliser, believing they should have been awarded a free-kick:

"One hundred per cent, but I think the less said about that from Don's (Robertson) perspective.

"When you come through to Glasgow you have to get these decisions. If you don't get these decisions then it's going to be a very difficult game.

"One the day did we do enough to win the game? Probably not."

What's next?

Celtic are away to Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports Football; kick-off 7.30pm. Hearts travel to face Motherwell the same night, that game kicks off at 7:45pm.