CELTIC’s thrilling victory at Tynecastle was not without its challenges. It was an afternoon where so many little things seemed to go against Ange Postecoglou’s side and yet, they travelled home along the M8 with what proved to be a very important three points in tow.
They started well enough against Hearts and took the lead through James Forrest early on before VAR, making its Premiership debut at the weekend, intervened to correctly award the hosts a penalty that was converted by Lawrence Shankland. Within minutes, the Parkhead side had what looked like a compelling case of their own when the ball struck the arm of Michael Smith inside the Hearts area, yet referee Nick Walsh was not directed to the pitchside monitor.
All hell broke loose when the two teams came out for the second half. Like two punch-drunk boxers, the two teams traded tit-for-tat jabs as the momentum swung this way and that. Shankland nudged Hearts ahead within a few minutes; Giorgos Giakoumakis responded by heading in an equaliser. Daizen Maeda gave the the visitors the lead; Shankland restored parity from the spot. Then, with 15 minutes to go, substitute Greg Taylor struck the decisive blow.
For Anthony Ralston, the match served as a perfect demonstration of his manager’s ‘we never stop’ mantra. They were made to work hard for it but, as champions so often do, they eventually found a way to win in trying circumstances.
“It was a tough day but we expected that coming here,” he said. “It just shows the character we have as a team to see it through and come away with the victory.
“It’s football. Sometimes not everything is going to go to plan and it’s not always going to be a smooth ride. As I said, it just shows the character we’ve got in the team.
“We don’t stop until the end of the game. The game never stops in our eyes and that’s always a clear message we’ve got as a team – to keep going to come away with nothing but the win.”
He continued: “That’s the clear message we’re given. We don’t stop to the end of the game.
“Credit to the boys, they showed a lot of character to take their chances in key moments, even against adversity, and we’ve sent the fans up the road happy.
“It’s not in our character to think it’s not our day. That’s drilled into us by the manager, that we don’t ever give up on the win. That’s what we are out there to do.”
Celtic’s task certainly could have been made that little bit easier had Ralston’s first-half goal not been chopped off before the ball had even crossed the line. With the score at 1-0, the full-back got on the end of Aaron Mooy’s free-kick to steer a header past Craig Gordon.
There was just one problem. Somewhat mystifyingly, Walsh had already blown his whistle – presumably for spotting an infringement in the box – and the play was stopped, meaning VAR would not be able to intervene. Officials are encouraged to let the game unfold and then review a replay, but this incident was not afforded a second look. Ralston, however, isn’t too fussed.
“Ach, these things happen,” said the full-back. “Obviously now we have the introduction of VAR.
“Look, I’m not the one to make the decisions, it’s up to the referees. I’ve heard that it should stand or whatever, but these things are going to happen. It’s part and parcel.
“Like I said, I’m not the referee. It’s out there in the heat in the moment. Obviously, I’d like to stand here and have my goal stood – if it was meant to stand – but again these things happen.”
The big games are coming thick and fast for Ralston and his team-mates. After extending their lead at the top of the Premiership to four points after Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Livingston, attention now turns to the Champions League and tomorrow’s visit of Shakhtar Donetsk.
Progression to the last 16 is no longer achievable but with a place in the Europa League still up for grabs, Celtic have plenty to play for. Results haven’t always married up with performances for the Parkhead side on the continent this term, Ralston admits, but he remains determined to bring Celtic’s seven-game home losing streak in the Champions League group stages to a halt tomorrow evening.
“We have created a lot of chances in Europe and results could have been different,” he explained. “But we’re back in Europe on Tuesday night and ready to put on a good performance.
“We know that as a group [that games have been decided by fine margins]. So we take the positives away and know what needs to be addressed moving forward in Europe. We’re concentrating now on resting, recovering and going again.
“You know what European nights are like at Celtic Park. We’re all looking forward to that and we want to put on a good performance for the fans. No matter what opponent we come up against, it’s about how we play our football and we focus on ourselves.
“We know the quality the opposition have. When you’re playing at the highest level, it’s tough. But that’s where you want to be. We all want to play our football there. We are looking forward to it.
“There’s been frustration through all the games with the chances we’ve created. It’s all behind us now. We’ve addressed it and we move onto [Shakhtar] now.”
