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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Matthew Fulton

Celtic 3 Hearts 1 as Ange hits milestone and Sead Haksabanovic scores stunner - 3 things we learned

Celtic ensured there was to be no slip up in the first of a double header against Hearts with a cool comeback at Parkhead.

But it was Hearts who opened the scoring in Glasgow when Josh Ginnelly's header flew past Joe Hart at the back post following an Andy Halliday cross and a VAR check confirmed the attacker was not offside. Ange Postecoglou's side needed a response and found one through Daizen Maeda as he got on the end of Kyogo's well-timed run before the half hour mark. Hearts were well in the game as the first half ended all square despite Jota hitting the post.

In the second period, both sides traded blows for the next goal but Celtic couldn't be clinical in the key moments before the hour mark but step forward top scorer Kyogo whose movement was aided by a sweet Aaron Mooy ball and he smashed an effort past Zander Clark emphatically.

READ MORE: Celtic player ratings vs Hearts as Kyogo's crucial goal hands Ange Postecoglou win in landmark game

Sead Haksabanovic then showed his strength off the bench, cutting inside and sending a top finish in to the far corner as Postecoglou can mark his centurion game with a big victory.

Ange the centurion

100 not out for Ange Postecoglou is 'significant' according to the Hoops boss himself.

And Hearts was in a way the most fitting opponent to reach that landmark as his first league game against the Jambos ended in defeat back in August 2021.

Celtic have come a long way since then under the Aussie boss and he admitted he wants to continue his successful run as long as possible.

It wasn't the easiest night against the Jambos but the key number is not 100 - but nine - the advantage Celtic still have in the league.

Tony and Bernabei's day?

A rare switch of Celtic's defensive four raised eyebrows before the game with Anthony Ralston and Alexandro Bernabei given a vote of confidence.

Greg Taylor and new signing Alistair Johnston have been solid so far but Postecoglou rung the changes perhaps with a double header in mind.

But within the first ten minutes a goal was conceded as Ralston was caught up the pitch and a cross met Ginnelly's head. Bernabei looked visibly rusty on his side with a few mistakes nearly costing the Hoops.

All in all not sparkling from both when the chance presented itself but Ralston did produce a wonderful pass that should have killed the game and he was the better of the two.

Kyogoal don't stop but Sead shines

Kyogo was the man of the hour once again for Celtic as the stroke of 60 minutes saw another top finish.

20 goals this campaign for the Japanese in the league and his last month or so has been somewhat terrifying in terms of numbers not least of which a double to win the League Cup Final vs rivals Rangers.

His smart finish turned the tide at Celtic Park and he cemented himself once again as a match winner.

But Sead Haksabanovic will be claiming he put the icing on the cake with a stunning finish as he reminded Postecoglou of his presence when called up.

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