Sunday January 25th 2026
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Ewan Hornell
Tynecastle hosted one of the biggest non old firm fixtures in recent memory. Hearts had the opportunity to go 9 points clear at the top of the league table and score their third consecutive victory over Celtic this season.
Hearts had to face Martin O’Neil’s side without two of their own star performers. Lawerence Shankland and Cammy Devlin. New signing Marc Leonard was straight into the starting lineup in central midfield to try and fill the void left by Devlin.
Whilst Claudio Braga continued to shoulder the goal scoring burden left by Shankland, hoping to continue his dream first season with the Jambos.
The atmosphere matched the magnitude of the fixture. Almost deafening.
In their previous matchups this season it has always been Hearts applying the pressure to Celtic. However, Martin O’Neils Celtic have a different feel. They pressed Hearts high, putting them under early pressure.
In the 6th minute Benjamin Nygren won a free kick right on the edge of the Hearts box. Nygren himself stepped up to take it and the result was wonderful. His left footed strike curled out of reach of the diving Craig Gordon, putting Celtic 1-0 ahead.
The early goal was exactly what Celtic needed. It did not settle nerves but for once in this fixture this season it gave Celtic something to protect instead of chase.
The remainder of the first half was tense with no player wanting to be the one who made the crucial mistake.
However, in the 36th minute Hearts were presented a huge opportunity. A long ball from Michael Steinwender seemingly just clearing his lines gave Alexandros Kyziridis a glorious chance to draw level. Auston Trusty fluffed clearing his lines and left Kyziridis one on one with Kasper Schmeichel. Kyziridis’ finish was tame and meant it was an easy for the Dane in the Celtic goal.
The Hearts support was unwavering in the first half, pleading their team on and roaring in support of any small positive moment their side produced.
Hearts’ second half reaction rewarded their fans support straight away.
A deep corner found the head of Stuart Findlay. He towered above all and powered home a header into the bottom corner to draw his side level.
That was Findlay’s sixth of the season an impressive number for a centre back. He’s just one of many enjoying a career year at Tynecastle.
Kyziridis was once again given a great opportunity on goal. He found himself with space in the box and the chance for a volley at goal, but a diving block from Liam Scales denied him the chance to strike.
Celtic’s new target man upfront, Tomas Cvancara, was a handful for the Hearts defence all game. His physicality was a nuisance throughout. He came close when his lofted headed attempt sent Craig Gordon stumbling backwards in pursuit. The 43 year old goalie was saved by the bar.
Hearts couldn’t keep Cvancara subdued for long.
The big Czech carried the ball forwards, Hearts bodies bouncing off him and into the box. He then squared it to Hyunjun Yang who was left with a simple finish.
Celtic regained the lead and once more shocked the home crowd.
The game was not lacking in goals nor intensity but what it hadn’t had up until then was controversy.
Right on queue, the 74th minute provided.
Hearts striker, Landry Kabore was sent in behind and through with acres of open pitch in front of him and a path to goal.
Austin Trusty, no match for Kabore in a footrace opted to bring him down at the potential risk of red, hoping his teammates could provide cover.
The ref chose yellow.
But, after he was sent to the screen by VAR his decision was upgraded to red for denial of a clear goal scoring opportunity.
Celtic were left a man down and Hearts with plenty of time left for an equaliser.
Claudio Braga has been a fan favourite on Gorgie this season but was quiet for large spells of the afternoon.
However, cometh the hour cometh the man.
In the 87th minute Harry Milne stood over another Hearts free kick. And as he had all afternoon, sent the set piece deep to the back post. His ball was headed back across the box and there was that man Braga.
He lashed home a volley to equalise for the Jambos.
An added time strike from Blair Spittal clipped the bar on its way over and spiked some last minute excitement but ultimately the sides would have to share the points.
Here’s what Derek McInnes had to say post-match,
“I think when you come behind twice against a team of Celtics quality there’s always a bit of pride and you want your players to keep gong and show that perseverance that we did. But I do think in terms of chances created and how the game played out, I thought we had the better and more chances to win the game.”
Hearts may feel that a lack of composure in front of goal cost them
“If we take those chances and show a bit more calmness and show a bit more quality then I think we win the game.
“At least we are putting ourselves in the position to win it and we’re disappointed we haven’t but a point, and how the game played out, coming from behind twice against a team of Celtics quality regardless of their exploits on Thursday night. I still think in the cold light of day its not the worst point.”
The red card was a moment of debate, McInnes joked at his surprise in seeing Celtic receive a domestic red card.
“My take on it is and I think what the fourth official said to me that they needed to be sure that Kabore would get a shot away. And my thought was, he’s definitely going to get a shot away he’d broke the line.
“I mean Celtic don’t get red cards domestically, so it was a bit of a shock even when VAR turned it and made it a red,”
Hearts should leave the happier of the two. They controlled large spells of the contest and all though a late red card for Celtic left Hearts a man up and some with the feeling they should have capitalised, if they had been offered a point prior to the game with all their injuries, they would have surely have taken it.
The onus remains on Celtic and Rangers to catch them.
Hearts go away to Dundee United next weekend, where they scored a 94th minute winner to win earlier in the season. If Hearts fans still didn’t believe their side were league favourites before today they have no choice but to now.
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