A moment of composure from Craig Burley in an often frantic match ensured
Celtic derailed the Hearts title bandwagon at Parkhead.
With just 11 minutes remaining, a Henrik Larsson cross from the left wasplayed
into a crowded area where Burley calmly chested the ball down before crashing it
past Gilles Rousset.
The goal was well deserved by Celtic for a performance which though at times
lacking guile showed enough spirit to guarantee three vital points and transform
the title picture.
For the first two thirds of the game Celtic fans appeared as nervy as their
side who despite holding much of the possession still lacked a cutting edge.
Then on exactly the hour mark, Celtic introduced £2million signing from
Rosenborg Harald Brattbakk for the ineffectual Regi Blinker and Parkhead erupted
in anticipation.
The mood at once altered to from frustration to one of optimism and Larsson
came close after 65 minutes with an ambitious 25-yard drive.
Norwegian Brattbakk's first goal attempt at least forced Gilles Rousset into a
smart save after a powerful downward header from a Jackie McNamara cross.
Following Burley's 79 minute goal, Hearts finally stirred themselves with the
home side defending in numbers for the last 10 minutes having attacked for much
of what preceded the strike.
The win closes the gap between Celtic and Hearts to just two points and now
the Tynecastle team face the prospect of restoring their fortunes at home to
champions Rangers.
This result may not signal the end of their title ambitions, but the dominance
Celtic enjoyed suggests it is they who will provide their Glasgow rivals with
the most sustained challenge.
Brattbakk had to settle for a place on the bench at the outset alongside
Darren Jackson as Jansen packed his midfield with five across the middle.
Jackson had scored his first goal since recovering from brain surgery in the 2-0
win at Aberdeen on Tuesday night, but Jansen found no room for sentiment and
opted for caution.
For Hearts, in the first of an Old Firm double header, Alan McManus wasdrafted
in at left-back for the injured Gary Locke.
Blinker's fourth minute volley offered the first goal threat for either side,
but his well-timed effort from Jackie McNamara's cross was blocked.
An impressive run by Burley found Blinker in space after 12 minutes, butthis
time the Dutchman's shot lacked the power to trouble Rousset.
After 20 minutes, Burley held the ball up well to again feed Blinker
foranother clear chance, but keeper Rousset charged down the shot.
Moments later, Larsson was released by Paul Lambert and looked certain to
score with only Rousset to beat, but his wayward strike went the wrong side of
the post.
There was a blow for Celtic after just 25 minutes when Marc Rieper, seemingly
suffering a muscle strain, had to be withdrawn with Enrico Annoni entering the
fray.
Rousset gave his defenders a scare after 28 minutes when he spilled a Lambert
shot, but the Frenchman was able to gather at the second attempt as Larsson
advanced.
McNamara's run after 36 minutes again fed Blinker, but he chose to dwell when
ideally positioned to shoot giving McManus time to block his eventual shot.
A searching Stephane Mahe cross then picked out Larsson, but his diving header
at the far post could not quite be directed on target.
A superb save by Rousset after 43 minutes kept the match goalless going into
the interval as McNamara's low drive was somehow pushed over the crossbar.
Larsson spurned another fine opportunity after 59 minutes heading a precise
Tom Boyd cross just wide as Celtic continued to press and ultimately, courtesy
of Burley, they were to be rewarded. end
Teams
Celtic: Gould, Boyd, Mahe, McNamara, Rieper (Annoni 24), Stubbs,
Larsson (Jackson 80), Burley, Wieghorst, Lambert,
Blinker (Barttvakk 60).
Goals: Burley 80.
Hearts: Rousset, McManus, Pointon (Frail 80), Weir, Salvatori,
Ritchie, McCann, Fulton, Adam (Hamilton 81), Cameron,
Flogel (Quitongo 81).
Att: 50,035
Ref: B Tait (East Kilbride).
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