HOOPED HEARTBREAKERS

Parkhead pandemonium as Celtic salvo sees Jam Tarts crumble.

"This is the most special place on earth. When there is absolute unison in this stadium, it is a sight to behold.”

Celtic versus Heart of Midlothian. A rather large match of football lay ahead. After a season of significant surprise and increased intrigue, it would all come down to ninety minutes in Glasgow’s east end. Leading their opponents by one point, Gorgie’s long suffering support knew that a draw would see their first league title for sixty-six years. Even with reigning champions Celtic breathing down their necks, The Jambos could almost taste champagne.

The big news before kick-off? Hearts’ player of the season, Claudio Braga, began from the bench. A persistent groin issue had finally put pay to his talismanic run of form, Landry Kabore selected to step into the starting eleven. As for The Hoops, Martin O’Neill plumped for the exact same side that overcame a nerve jangling test at Fir Park. Played a mere three days ago, the fallout from such a contentious victory brought added flavour to the proceedings. Jam Tarts boss Derek McInnes describing the award of Celtic’s last second penalty as ‘digusting’.

For a match of such importance, it was understandable that both sides would choose to begin with a conservative attitude. The opening stages saw timid approaches, both sets of central defenders dominating the majority of touches. Each time Auston Trusty or Liam Scales ventured past the centre circle for Celtic, they paused in hesitant fashion. Looking for a midfielder who wanted the ball to feet, no such caller was to be found. Sideways and backwards seemed to the standard rhythm.

The first shot on target took until minute thirty-two, with Sebastian Tounekti firing an effort from just outside the box. The shot was dug out from underneath his feet, Alexander Schwolow unmoved by such a tame attempt. However, a goal would soon come. Somewhat criminally, Lawrence Shankland was left all alone at the back stick. Meeting with a corner ball, the Jambos captain easily powered his header into the Celtic net. A stadium full of green and white had fallen deathly silent.

As the board for added time showed three minutes, Celtic knew that any opportunity to strike before the interval would be crucial. A week in which they had fought back from behind twice, this was a home side looking for yet another counterpunch. If the midweek penalty against Motherwell had caused all sorts of fiasco claimed furore, this was one that would see little complaint.

Driving down the line, Kieran Tierney fired a cross into the outstretched arm of Alexandros Kyziridis. Referee Don Roberston pointed to the spot almost insantly, and a quick check by VAR operator Kevin Clancy confirmed the decision. A huge moment for the title race lay ahead, as Kelechi Iheanacho, the man who slotted away Celtic’s last gasp winner on Wednesday, started this clash on the bench. The ball was handed to Arne Engels, who squeezed his finish under a despairing Schwolow. Not the best of strikes by any means, but more than acceptable on a day such as this. All square.

At this moment, the title was heading to Tynecastle. Bar the converted penalty, Celtic had offered little to nothing in terms of testers at goal. The Hoops introduced Iheanacho, knowing that a goal was necessary. A man who had clutched up for The Bhoys against Dundee, Hibernian and Motherwell, the call seemed well calculated. Into the second half and Hearts experienced an almost immediate blow. Combative midfielder, Beni Baningime, dropped to the ground with a torn hamstring. He would play no further part.

The tension was palpable. As the minutes ticked away, O’Neill decided to switch it up. Trusty off, young forward Callum Osmand on. A formation switch to 3-5-2 was the play. Soon, it was wave after green wave. Iheanacho found space beautifully before crashing his strike against the foot of the post. Audible gasps around Parkhead. Benjamin Nygren’s fizzer tipped over the top by diving Schwolow. The decibel level increasing once again. This tide had turned. Hearts were clinging on for dear life.

Celtic needed a hero. Throughout this season, it could well be argued that they’ve had very few. A shock loss to Kairat Almaty in Champions League qualifying was followed by a huge fumble against St Mirren in December’s League Cup final. Add to that eight top flight defeats for the first time in twenty-six years, and almost every pundit had long agreed that any title ambition was dead in the water. However, one man encapsulates a never say die attitude better than most. Daizen Maeda.

Eighty-six minutes on the clock. A number Hearts supporters shudder thinking about. Forty years ago, a final day trip to Dens Park destroyed maroon dreams. Ask any Jambo who’s old enough to have witnessed that event, and they’ll tell you it has sparked decades upon decades of nightmare fuel. The canister tipped. A flame relit. Marcelo Saracchi cantered forward and played a delicious reverse pass to Osmand. The Jerseyman dropped a shoulder and drove the line, before blasting the ball across Hearts’ six yard box.

Daizen Maeda.

Parkhead exploded with noise. Well…for a second. Sixty thousand turned in agony to see the raised flag of a linesman. Offside called. In what felt like the longest minute of all time, Don Robertson lifted a hand to his ear. While initially off, Maeda had returned to an onside position in the play’s second phase. To be honest, it wasn’t even close. Goal given. Overcome with emotion, the eyes of Celtic’s Japanese superstar started to well. Lifted by James Forrest and Iheanacho, The Bhoys had to compose themselves and lock in. This game still had time to run.

Hearts needed a goal. Hearts needed a goal more than ever before. Free kick, wide right. Schwolow galloped towards the pack. With all or nothing on the line, McInnes had given the order for his goalkeeper to get involved. To the dismay of every Jam Tart supporter around the world, Blair Spittal delivered a turgidly underhit set piece. Callum McGregor hooked a header clear, Iheanacho closed down Cammy Devlin’s desperate strike. McGregor recovered the loose ball and fed Osmand. Cantering into the Hearts half unopposed, the substitute was trailed by the joyous Iheanacho and Forrest, arms aloft. The simplest of tap-ins to seal it. Paradise found.

Bedlam ensued. The surge of mass emotion triggered a pitch invasion, Hearts players down on their haunches as home fans streamed around the turf. It was a scene of extreme constrast, enraptured euporhia mixed with an engulfing dejection. Unsavoury moments followed, with away players and staff accosted by clear verbal, and now, alleged physical abuse. Police Scotland stepped in, guiding Shankland and McInnes down the tunnel. The Jambos straight onto the bus and back to Gorgie, citing a ‘menacing and threatening atmosphere’.

Only time will tell when it comes to any repercussion for such antics, but many of Celtic’s support made their feelings around fellow fan behaviour loud and clear. Boos swirled as those who had jumped the stands were cleared back into their respective seats. Some contrarians have suggested that Don Robertson’s final whistle never blew, hoping for the most severe of punishments. While a significant fine is most likely, match abandonment is not yet completely out of the question.

That being said, The Hoops will not listen to such cries. A suggestion of sour grapes will be levied at the door of those who stew over watching Glasgow’s green and white lift yet another trophy. However painful the truth, it’s a level of success that everybody else can only dream about.

As for Hearts? The wait goes on for broken souls.

Full time, Celtic 3-1 Heart of Midlothian.

HOOPED HEARTBREAKERS

Parkhead pandemonium as Celtic salvo sees Jam Tarts crumble.

LAND OF THE DAIZEN SUN