Substitute Jose Quitongo grabbed an injury time equaliser to keep Hearts
firmly in the title race today at Tynecastle.
The Edinburgh side appeared to be heading for their fifth defeat of the season
against the Old Firm after Jackie McNamara's strike in the 40th minute.
But former Hamilton star Quitongo, who replaced Stefano Salvatori in the 64th
minute, popped up in the penalty area and his close-range shot appeared to take
a deflection before leaving Celtic keeper Jonathan Gould wrong-footed.
Quitongo celebrated by cartwheeling towards the fans, who must have felt like
following suit.
It means Rangers remain top of the league on goal difference from Celtic and
Hearts.
Celtic must be kicking themselves after home keeper Roddie McKenzie suffered a
bad attack of nerves. He was called up for the third match running with Gilles
Rousset suffering from a groin strain.
The Scotland under-21 star had not conceded a goal in his previous two outings
but was shaky against Celtic.
McKenzie was under pressure as early as the fifth minute when he flapped at a
corner from McNamara and the ball bobbled off Hearts defender Paul Ritchie.
Celtic striker Harald Brattbakk fired in a shot, only for David Weir to clear
off the line.
Weir made a shock return to the Hearts line-up. The Scotland defender was only
expected to begin light training this week after having an operation to remove a
small piece of bone from his leg.
However he showed remarkable recovery powers, which meant he only missed the
game against Dundee United eight days ago.
Celtic pair McNamara and Henrik Larsson were both in the starting line-up
after recovering from knee and groin injuries respectively.
McKenzie had another scare in the 15th minute when Morten Wieghorst found the
net, only for his effort to be ruled offside.
Then the keeper could only look on as a powerful Alan Stubbs effort from 25
yards rattled the post.
McKenzie was again beaten by a shot from Larsson but Dave McPherson headed off
the line.
But Celtic's pressure paid off when they took the lead five minutes before the
break after another good build-up from the back.
Norwegian frontman Brattbakk, playing an increasingly influential role,
released Larsson inside the area.
Ritchie managed to get in a challenge but the ball broke to McNamara, who
knocked it into the corner.
Larsson should have added a second on the stroke of half-time but missed his
kick after being put clean through by Brattbakk.
Celtic keeper Jonathan Gould had little to do, apart from making a superb save
from Colin Cameron in the opening minutes as the visitors dictated the pace.
Hearts were again forced to back-pedal at the start of the second half and
Wieghorst sent a header and then a shot wide following corners from McNamara.
Gould, however, had to look lively in the 54th minute to tip over a corner
from Neil McCann.
Celtic should have added a second goal in the 57th minute when Brattbakk
somehow fired wide in front of goal after Larsson's shot had spun away from
keeper McKenzie.
Then Weir almost brought Hearts level with a deep cross that hit the bar
before Quitongo's dramatic leveller kept the title race boiling.
Teams
Hearts: McKenzie, Locke, Naysmith, Weir, McPherson, Ritchie,
McCann, Fulton, Adam (Hamilton 80), Cameron (Flogel 80),
Salvatori (Quitongo 64).
Booked: Ritchie.
Goals: Quitongo 89.
Celtic: Gould, Annoni, Mahe, McNamara, Rieper, Stubbs, Larsson,
Burley, Brattbakk (Jackson 85), Lambert, Wieghorst.
Subs Not Used: Donnelly, Hannah.
Booked: Annoni, Burley, Lambert.
Goals: McNamara 40.
Att: 17,657
Ref: B Tait (East Kilbride).
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