The winners of this Old Firm match were 40 miles away in Edinburgh. Hearts’ hopes of claiming the Scottish title for the first time since 1960 were boosted by Reo Hatate’s late equaliser for Celtic, which only epitomised a disastrous second half for Rangers. Hearts lead Rangers by six and Celtic by eight, albeit the Hoops have played one game fewer.
This outcome had seemed unfathomable at half-time. Rangers were dominant in the opening period. Ultimately, they suffered from not adding to a two-goal lead. Celtic were as improved post-interval as Rangers were dreadful. The result was therefore fair.
Youssef Chermiti’s first goal of the day is among the finest in Old Firm history. Chermiti leapt to batter an overhead kick beyond Viljami Sinisalo from Andreas Skov Olsen’s cross. Chermiti’s second was clever after he capitalised on slack Celtic defending; Dane Murray had sliced an attempted clearance and Julián Araujo dallied.
Martin O’Neill’s half-time pep talk, plus two substitutions, worked wonders. Kieran Tierney reduced the deficit with a fine header. Celtic had chances – umpteen of them – to level the scores. Hatate did so at the third attempt after Jack Butland had saved his penalty and a first rebound. The penalty had been awarded after Dujon Sterling was found guilty of handball from a Daizen Maeda header.
At full time there was a typical centre-field rammy, with O’Neill on the occasion of his 74th birthday the peacemaker. This was a point gained for Celtic, two dropped for Rangers and the perfect result for Hearts.
