Highlights and goals: Celtic 4-1 Heart of Midlothian in Premiership 2021-22

Thank you so much for following Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at VAVEL. A great Saturday to all and until next time.

 

Celtic are still not champions mathematically, but it is almost impossible for Rangers to take another title from their rival. For that, Celtic would have to lose every game, Rangers win them all and take a difference of 22 goals.

 

💚 4 goals, 3 points. Job well done, 𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙩𝙨!

Now on to Wednesday... 🙌#CELHEA | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG🍀 — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 7, 2022

Celtic 4-1 Hearts.

Abada received a great pass, went out in front of the goalkeeper, but the Hearts archer made a spectacular save and saved, which was Celtic's fifth goal.

 

Hatate finished from the edge of the area and Gordon performed a miracle. On the rebound, James Forest thinks Giakoumakis and the Greek didn't waste it. It is thrashed at Celtic Park.

 

89' | 3-1

Change for Hearts

OFF: McKay

ON: Thomas — Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) May 7, 2022

Hatate received in the middle, free of marking, but he finished wrong.

 

80' - Another #CelticFC change:

➡️ Forrest
⬅️ Jota#CELHEA | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG🍀 — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 7, 2022

Jota received a deep pass and hit goalkeeper Gordon's exit, but the referee got offside.

 

77' - #CelticFC sub:

➡️ Rogic
⬅️ O'Riley

Well played, @mattoriley8 👏
#CELHEA | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG🍀 — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 7, 2022

75' | 3-1

🔄 First change of the game for the Jambos...

➡️ Mackay-Steven

⬅️ Simms

📲 https://t.co/Dx99f5LG6w pic.twitter.com/y4FdEVEQSi — Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) May 7, 2022

Kingsley took a very dangerous free-kick and the ball went very close to Celtic's goal.

 

69' - 😍 𝐎'𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐘𝐘𝐘𝐘𝐘𝐘𝐘𝐘𝐘𝐘 😍#CELHEA | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG🍀 — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 7, 2022

In a fatal counterattack from the left, Gred Taylor crossed in measure to Matt O'Riley, who dominated at the second post and hit with class in the right corner of goalkeeper Gordon. It's Celtic's third.

 

Hearts start to come out more for the attack and give spaces for the counterattack.

 

64' - #CelticFC subs:

➡️ Giakoumakis, Hatate and Abada
⬅️ Kyogo, Turnbull and Maeda
#CELHEA | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG🍀 — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 7, 2022

Jota dribbled the mark at the entrance of the area and finished. The ball exploded on Gordon's right post, who just watched.

 

After a cross in the area, Hearts' defense got in the way, didn't move away, the ball was live almost over the line, Maeda almost arrived, but the marking removed the danger.

 

Maeda tried to deflect the header, but the shot came out very weak and Gordon got the ball.

 

Celtic 2-1 Hearts.

A resurgent Celtic turn it round as we lead 2-1 at the break! 🙌#CELHEA | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG🍀 — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 7, 2022

Celtic 2-1 Hearts.

Let's go to 46 minutes.

 

After a cross in the area, Jota alone, headed down and Gordon made a great save.

 

🚨 #KYOGO #KYOGO #KYOGO 🚨

Powered by @play_eFootball 🎮
#CELHEA | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG🍀 — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 7, 2022

It's the turn! After a cross in the area, Jota won from the top spot and Furuhashi deflected it without a goalkeeper, the ball did not fully enter, but the referee scored the home team's goal.

 

Toby Sibbick fouled and received the first card of the game.

 

⚡ 𝐃𝐀𝐈𝐙𝐄𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐄𝐃𝐀 ⚡

Powered by @play_eFootball 🎮
#CELHEA | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG🍀 — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 7, 2022

Jota made a great move on the right, went through the marking and crossed to Maeda inside the area, who freed from marking, finished with his right foot and left everything the same at Celtic Park.

 

At this moment, Celtic finishes much more and has more possession of the ball.

 

Turnbull stole the ball in midfield, advanced to the attack and crossed low to Furuhashi, who alone, finished first and Gordon did a miracle.

 

Celtic fans are starting to get impatient with the delay in replacing the balls.

 

Still struggling to pierce the line in midfield, Celtic starts to get more into the offensive field. Hearts only defends himself.

 

Maeda received on the left and crossed low into the area. The ball went through everyone and went out on the sidelines.

 

Furuhashi headed in a free-kick inside the area, but the ball went out without danger.

 

The defense of Heart of Midlothian cut wrong and Maeda won the mark inside the area and finished. Goalkeeper Gordon made a great save and avoided Celtic's draw.

 

Celtic tries to pressure, but fails to pierce the midfield marking.

 

IT'S BIG ELL AGAIN!

📲 https://t.co/Dx99f5LG6w pic.twitter.com/sUaCtSeLO3 — Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) May 7, 2022

After a cross in the area, Liam Boyce fixed it, Ellis Simms won the mark and almost inside the small area, he released a bomb to open the scoring. Hearts in front.

 

Hearts started on the offensive field.

 

Celtic 0-0 Hearts.

Field teams.

 

In the last 13 games, Celtic have scored at least one goal in the Heart of Midlothian.

 

The Heart of Midlothian hasn't lost in 10 games. The last loss was on February 19, against St. Johnstone, out of the house.

 

- 17 Celtic wins

- 3 Heart of Midlothian wins.

Today, Craig Gordon makes his 𝟮𝟱𝟬𝘁𝗵 appearance for Hearts.

A Gorgie icon 🐐 pic.twitter.com/MGnxa9AHnT — Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) May 7, 2022

🟢 Into the 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙢-𝙪𝙥 for the Hoops! ⚪️
#CELHEA | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG🍀 — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 7, 2022

📋 Here’s your #CelticFC 𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑵𝒆𝒘𝒔 from Paradise! 🍀 #COYBIG | #CELHEA

Powered by @play_eFootball 🎮 pic.twitter.com/u7N22iyOCi — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 7, 2022

📋 TEAM NEWS

Your Hearts XI at Parkhead!

📲 https://t.co/Dx99f5LG6w pic.twitter.com/OQI8wyUJy2 — Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) May 7, 2022

Less than 20 minutes to the start of the game.

 

Do not miss a detail of the match Celtic vs Heart of Midlothian live updates and commentaries live here on VAVEL.

It was evident from the start that whoever won the league would go straight to the group stage and I saw this as a great chance for us to have the opportunity to play in the strongest competition in Europe.''
“I thought it was very timely for us that if we could get things right and win the competition this year, it would be an extra carrot for sure.''
“We can structure our preseason differently than previous years if we step over the line and give ourselves the opportunity to really strategically plan next season with some certainty.''
“From my perspective, planning does not change. My opinion was that we had to rebuild the squad this year quite drastically because we had to.''
“The reality is that we lost a lot of players from last year and the team had been together for a while and they reached the end of the cycle, so we had to make these changes.''
“This was the first stage of construction and regardless of what we were doing next year in terms of competition, the plan was always to strengthen and that hasn't changed.''
“I don't think being in the Champions League changes our perspective, but it could make us a more attractive proposition for players who want to come to our club.''
“We're still in the stages of being able to develop our players and, for me, there are still areas where I think we can add some quality both in depth and in the level of the performances we deliver.''
“There won't be as much activity as last year, but the activity we do will be significant in bringing players to improve us immediately, rather than just growing the squad.''
“It's not like we're the club we are for one that spends on a different level, my opinion is that you have a plan and you try to stick to it and it's proved to be a success for us this year.''
"We want to replicate the success we've had in the transfer market by making sure we identify the right type of player."

Joe Hart; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor; McGregor, O'Riley, Reo Hatate; Joga, Maed, Furuhashi.

Being able to be champions already in this round, Celtic arrives with high morale and needing to give an answer to the fans, since the biggest rival, Rangers, qualified for the Europa League final and is already in the Scottish Cup final against the Heart of Midlothian itself. In the last 10 games, there were seven wins, two draws and only one defeat, against Rangers.

“We want to go to Glasgow and win. The last time we went to Celtic Park, it was a close game. We want to try to win these games. It will give the club a lot of confidence if we can do that," he told media at his press conference.
“Regarding the league, what happens to Rangers and Celtic doesn't affect us. For us, it's about delivering a performance that gives us the right result. Tomorrow is all about us. We cemented third place and would like to get as close to the Old Firm as possible.
 
“We will try to close this points gap and continue with the belief that we can get to Glasgow and win. Smith, Souttar and Devlin will all be involved with the group tomorrow. We are gradually recovering the bodies and I am pleased with the way it is going.”
"We were beaten several years ago in Scottish football, but you can see it's on the rise," he said.
“The teams are doing well in Europe and the national team has qualified for the Euro and is now just a few games away from the World Cup.
 
“To be honest, it won't change anything in our preparations. Let's prepare and focus on ourselves. We're going to watch Rangers games and this game too, but from our point of view, it's about reaching the cup final in the best possible condition for the players.
 
“I was told it is already sold out. It's absolutely excellent, I hope we can get through these games in good form and make it to the final and give them something to celebrate at the end of the season."

Gordon; Moore, Sibbick, Cochrane; Atkinson, Haring, Woodburn, Mackay-Steven; Ginnelly, McKay, Boyce.

The Heart of Midlothian arrives for the confrontation against Celtic with the objective already achieved, which was to qualify for the Conference League next season. The team occupies the third position with 61 points and has no more chances to go up or down until the end of the championship.

 

Celtic could become champions of the Scottish Championship again if a combination of results happens. There are only three rounds left for the competition to end. If Heart of Midlothian wins and Rangers lose to Dundee United on Sunday (08), the difference rises to nine points and the competition will have a new champion. Another chance is if Celtic draw and Rangers lose. In addition, they could emerge champion even with the defeat, but for that, Rangers cannot score.

 

The Celtic vs Heart of Midlothian match will be played at the Celtic Park with a capacity to receive 60.411 people.

My name is Thomas Alencar and I'll be your host for this game. We will provide you with pre-game analysis, score updates and news as it happens live here on VAVEL USA.