Image source: theguardian.com
Hearts stayed top of the Scottish Premiership but missed the chance to pull clear of Celtic, settling for a breathless 2-2 draw at Tynecastle Park after Cláudio Braga struck late. Celtic twice led through Benjamin Nygren and Yang Hyun-jun, but Hearts punished set-piece weaknesses via Stuart Findlay and Braga. Auston Trusty’s red card left Celtic hanging on.
Braga’s late strike earns Hearts 2-2 draw with 10-man Celtic at Tynecastle
The biggest winners from a tense afternoon at Tynecastle Park were playing elsewhere, with Rangers moving to within four points of Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts after the Edinburgh side drew 2-2 with Celtic. Hearts came from behind twice but could not find a winner despite playing the final 21 minutes against 10 men and creating a string of chances.
Celtic struck first in the seventh minute after Hearts debutant Marc Leonard hauled down Nygren just outside the area. Nygren swept the resulting free-kick past Craig Gordon, sparking heated touchline moments as Hearts manager Derek McInnes reacted to celebrations in front of the Celtic bench. McInnes later said “one of their inexperienced coaches got a bit carried away.”
Hearts had opportunities to respond but lacked ruthlessness. Braga broke into the box soon after the opener and shot tamely at Kasper Schmeichel, while Alexandros Kyziridis spurned a glaring chance when a defensive error by Trusty sent him clean through, only for Schmeichel to block with his leg. Hearts eventually levelled when Leonard’s corner reached the back post and Findlay powered a header beyond Schmeichel.
Celtic regained the lead after a brief surge that included debutant Tomas Cvancara heading against the bar. Cvancara then drove a break down the left, sprinting away from Craig Halkett before rolling a cross across goal for Yang to finish from close range. The game turned again when Trusty hauled down Pierre Landry Kaboré after Leonard’s pass opened the defence; referee Steven McLean upgraded a yellow card to red after a pitchside review.
Hearts piled on pressure, testing Celtic’s energy after the visitors had played almost an hour with 10 men in Bologna on Thursday. Braga missed from point-blank range when Sabah Kerjota’s cross fell to him, but he made amends four minutes from time when Harry Milne’s free-kick dropped deep, Oisin McEntee nodded down and Braga lashed home through traffic. Substitute Blair Spittal nearly won it in the 97th minute, his rising drive clipping the top of the crossbar.
