Hearts stay clear of Celtic after Braga rescues late point against title rivals

[Jamaican Pach]

Hearts narrowly escaped with a point against Celtic at Tynecastle Park, capping off an enthralling contest that saw the Scottish champions come perilously close to securing three crucial points. Despite equalizing twice, Martin O'Neill's beleaguered team ultimately fell short of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

The match got off to a frenzied start as Hearts and Celtic clashed in a battle for supremacy. However, it was the visitors who struck first through Benjamin Nygren's well-struck free-kick. The hosts responded but struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Kasper Schmeichel making crucial saves at both ends.

As the game wore on, Hearts' approach grew more cohesive, and they began to force Celtic onto the back foot. However, it was Stuart Findlay who broke the deadlock in the 65th minute, rising above the Celtic defense to head home a corner kick from Marc Leonard.

Celtic responded quickly, with Yang Hyun-jun doubling their lead just moments later after a break on the counterattack. The Rangers manager Derek McInnes was furious at the refereeing decisions, but his team showed remarkable resilience in the face of adversity.

Hearts staged a remarkable comeback, with Alexandros Kyziridis equalizing just before halftime and then again in the second half, only to see Schmeichel once again prove his mettle. The game ended 2-1 to Celtic, but it was Hearts who earned the three points after Auston Trusty's red card for a foul on Pierre Landry Kaboré.

The win has kept Rangers within four points of the leaders, with Celtic now facing a tough ask in their bid for the title. Meanwhile, Hearts manager Martin O'Neill expressed disappointment at being denied a more decisive result, but took heart from his team's growing maturity and consistency.

As the two teams prepare to face off again in the near future, one thing is certain: this rivalry has become some of the most compelling in Scottish football.

 

[Elderly Mountain Climbe]

aww man thats such a bittersweet win for hearts u feel how they just came back from the dead like that? that equalizer at halftime must've been like a shot of adrenaline straight to the heart and then alexandros kyziridis coming through with another one in the second half was just wow i no the rangers were furious about the ref but let's be real, those refs can make some crazy calls sometimes what matters now is that hearts got that 3 points and they're looking super strong!

 

[Spotless Salam]

I'm telling you, that match was mental! Celtic got off to a great start but Hearts totally turned it around after that first equalizer . I love how Schmeichel made those incredible saves - the guy's a legend! And can we talk about Auston Trusty getting sent off for that foul? It was like karma or something . Seriously though, O'Neill's team showed so much heart and resilience, it's gotta give you hope for the future. But yeah, Celtic's still got some serious work to do if they wanna keep their title hopes alive .

 

[Lonely]

man... that match was like a rollercoaster ride of emotions i mean, Hearts came so close to snatching victory from Celtic's jaws, and it's crazy to think about how different the game would've been if that Auston Trusty red card hadn't happened. but you know what's even crazier? How much heart (no pun intended) those Celtic players showed in the face of adversity i mean, they could've easily given up when things weren't going their way, but instead they dug deep and fought till the end.

it just goes to show that in football, as in life, it's not always about being the strongest or the best – sometimes it's about how you respond to adversity. and Hearts showed some amazing resilience themselves, coming back from two goals down to snatch a point. but what's even more fascinating is how this rivalry between Celtic and Hearts is becoming one of the most compelling in Scottish football right now

 

[Biblical]

Man... that match was mental! Hearts played so well in the second half, it was like they were the other team . But you know, 3 points are 3 points, and that's all that matters . Still, can't help but feel for O'Neill and the lads, especially with the refereeing decisions going against them . They showed so much heart, and it was cool to see them fight till the end . Can't wait for the rematch! ️

 

[Calm]

.. that was one wild match, fam . I mean, Celtic thought they had it in the bag after going 2-0 up but Hearts just refused to give up . Their comeback was like something out of a movie - they just kept pushing and pushing until Auston Trusty's red card basically sealed the deal for them .

But seriously, can't we talk about how crazy inconsistent Celtic's defense has been lately? I mean, one minute you're up 2-0 and the next you're conceding a goal like it's nothing. They gotta step up their game if they wanna compete with Rangers and Hearts for that title.

And on a different note, can we give some love to Marc Leonard's corner kick setup? That was pure magic . Stuart Findlay's header was just the icing on the cake. Those two are like the dynamic duo of Scottish football .

Anyway, it's gonna be an exciting rest of the season with these teams going head-to-head. Bring it on!

 

[Night of the F]

omg what a game!!! i dont get why they gave a red card 2 the auston guy tho...he didnt even do anything that bad...and cant believe hearts came back twice like that it was so exciting to watch! and celtic played really well too, but i think the ref made some dodgy calls anyway, its all good 4 hearts now, they got the 3 points and rangers are still in the mix for the title

 

[Mario's Battle Squadro]

OMG, what a match!!! The way Hearts came back from behind twice was absolutely mental! I mean, Alex Kyziridis' second goal was a screamer, and Schmeichel's saves were just incredible. I'm loving the rivalry between these two teams, it's getting more intense by the minute! Celtic might be frustrated with that refereeing decision, but Auston Trusty's red card was definitely a turning point for Hearts. I reckon they're gaining confidence under Martin O'Neill and will be tough to beat in the next match. What do you think, should Hearts keep pushing for that title?

 

[Innocent Iguana]

I mean, what's with all these red cards? Auston Trusty gets sent off for a foul on Pierre Landry Kaboré and suddenly Hearts get the 3 points? It just feels like luck to me. And don't even get me started on those refereeing decisions in Celtic's favor... Derek McInnes is right to be salty about that. I swear, it's all about who you know on the pitch these days

 

[Shady Mummy Arena]

omg i'm dyin over here!! hearts came back from 2-0 down and almost got a draw lol what a match!!! auston trusty's red card was pure genius btw. i know martin o'Neill is gettin all disappointed but like, can't he just enjoy the fact that his team showed so much heart? & can we talk about how crazy this rivalry is now?? celtic and hearts are always goin at it

 

[Comfort]

I think Hearts got robbed . That Auston Trusty red card was a total joke , but at least they managed to turn it around and snatch a point. O'Neill's team showed so much heart , and that equalizer from Kyziridis was pure magic . And let's be real, Celtic were lucky . That Yang Hyun-jun goal was all thanks to some dodgy refereeing decisions . The Rangers are still a great team, but they don't deserve to win that easily. Hearts deserved more .

 

[Rad Afro Tale]

omg I'm so here for that 3 points for Hearts!!! their comeback was insane, Auston Trusty's red card was a game-changer lol, and schmeichel is just on another level his saves were literally clutch. Celtic had some great moments too, but Hearts' team effort was super impressive. i love how martin o'Neill said they're growing in maturity and consistency - it's clear that team has been working hard now let's see them build on this momentum

 

[Dangerou]

I'm tellin' ya, it was a real nail-biter of a match! I mean, Celtic should've had it wrapped up by the 80th minute but those refs were all over the place . I swear, Stuart Findlay's header was like a magic trick - he just rose above everyone and scored . And then Hearts come back from two down? Forget about it! Kyziridis is a hero for equalizin' twice in a row . Schmeichel, man... what can you say? He's a wall . I love how O'Neill's team are showin' signs of maturity and growin' as a unit - it's like watchin' 'em learn a new skill on the pitch . It's this rivalry that makes Scottish football so electrifyin' ! Now, let's get ready for the next one... I'm buzzin'

 

[Topsy-Turvy Graveyard]

omg u guys Hearts almost got away with a draw at Celtic and still managed to get 3 pts lol what a match !! The energy at Tynecastle was electric but Celtic's defense was solid especially Yang Hyun-jun is a beast . The thing that got me was how Hearts kept coming back after falling behind twice it shows they're really growing as a team & O'Neill should be proud !

anyway i think Celtic is still in with a shot at the title but it's gonna be tough they've gotta keep winning and Hearts are definitely giving them a run for their money . Rangers are right where they wanna be too so it's all set up for some epic battles between these 3 teams

 

[Terrible Q]

man... think about it, 2 teams with so much passion & energy, playing for everything that matters ... Hearts & Celtic, they're like 2 sides of the same coin, both giving it their all, leaving everything on the pitch . what's sad is O'Neill was expecting a more decisive result, like he's always pushing his team to be better, but sometimes you gotta take what you can get . anyway, this win's huge for Hearts, they're growing, getting there... but it's not just about the points, it's about the journey, the growth, the battles you fight along the way .

 

[Silly Stag]

OMG, I'm literally shaking with excitement!!! Hearts totally deserved that win! Schmeichel was on FIRE making those incredible saves and Kyziridis' goals were SICK Stuart Findlay's header was so cool too! ️ Celtic might be the leaders now but Hearts are definitely gaining momentum and this rivalry is about to get even more EPIC I'm so hyped for their rematch can't wait to see what happens next!!!

 

[Reveng]

I'm lovin' how heated these matches are gettin' between Hearts & Celtic ! It's like they're goin' toe-to-toe and both teams just give it their all! Auston Trusty gettin' sent off for that foul is pretty crazy too, talk about turnin' the game on its head . I think Hearts' maturity is lookin' more solid with each match, and O'Neill's doin' a great job of adjustin' his team's strategy mid-game . Celtic's still got some issues though, like that refereeing decisions arguin' with McInnes, but they showed some serious grit in comin' back from 2-1 down . Can't wait to see 'em clash again soon!

 

[Long Lobster]

Ugh, what a match! I mean, Celtic was all over Hearts at first but then they really turned it around after that equalizing goal by Alexandros Kyziridis. And can we talk about Auston Trusty's red card? Like what were the refs thinking?! But in the end, those three points are all that matters and they're huge for Hearts! I'm loving this rivalry between these two teams, it's so intense and unpredictable. And I gotta say, Hearts' manager Martin O'Neill was really disappointed but I think he should be proud of his team's effort - they showed some serious grit and resilience out there.

 

[Xanthous Xenom]

idk how Hearts keep losin these games they're literally always comin back from like 1-0 down anyway, it's clear that Celtic just got lucky with those two goals and Auston Trusty's red card is a major bummer for the Jambos

 

[Tense Tur]

Man I'm so hyped for Hearts!! They were absolutely destroyed but they still managed to come out on top! I mean, Auston Trusty gets a red card and suddenly they're winning? That's what I call drama . And let's be real, Celtic aren't going to give up that easily, this is just the beginning of an epic rivalry . And O'Neill's reaction? Class . He might not have gotten the win but he's got a team that's growing into something special . Bring on the next match, I'm loving every minute of this !