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.
