Summary

  • Christie drills in after bright start by Hearts & Ntcham converts Forrest cutback

  • McGregor effort disallowed after break

  • Celtic go five points clear of Rangers at top

  • Only a single goal keeping Hearts above bottom side Hamilton

  1. Good nightpublished at 22:10 GMT 18 December 2019

    FT: Hearts 0-2 Celtic

    That's all folks, we'll be back in Edinburgh for more Scottish Premiership action on Friday when Rangers visit Hibs at Easter Road.

    That should be a belter of a game. Join us if you can and thanks for your company this evening.

  2. 'We're getting the whole package with Ryan'published at 22:09 GMT 18 December 2019

    FT: Hearts 0-2 Celtic

    Ryan Christie scored his 18th goal of the season for club and country as he knocked in an impressive opener for Celtic and his manager could not be more pleased.

    Speaking to BBC Sportsound, Lennon adds: "He is having an outstanding season. It doesn't surprise us.

    "The kid gets everything he deserves because of his work ethic, professionalism and fitness levels, allied to quality ability. We're getting the whole package with Ryan. His finish tonight was sublime."

  3. 'The quality of football was breathtaking'published at 22:04 GMT 18 December 2019

    FT: Hearts 0-2 Celtic

    Speaking to BBC Sportsound post-game, Celtic manager Neil Lennon praises his "breathtaking" side.

    "It's an outstanding run of form we are in and it was another outstanding performance," he says. "We should've won the game by more. The quality of chances and football was breathtaking."

    Celtic had to work hard to get their ninth straight league win, and Lennon was complimentary of Daniel Stendel's side, saying: "It was like the old Hearts, up and at them. It was feisty. We had to earn the right to play, but once the game opened up we got two outstanding goals."

    Celtic manager Neil LennonImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Neil Lennon made it 13 straight league wins over Hearts as Celtic boss

  4. Off The Ball on telly?published at 22:00 GMT 18 December 2019

    FT: Hearts 0-2 Celtic

    As we wind down, just a quick reminder that Off The Ball: Petty & Ill-informed is just starting on BBC Scotland, celebrating 25 years of Stuart Cosgrove and Tam Cowan on the airwaves.

  5. 'We need this mentality in every game'published at 21:58 GMT 18 December 2019

    FT: Hearts 0-2 Celtic

    An exhausted sounding Hearts boss Daniel Stendel tells BBC Sportsound: "We need this mentality in every game, not just against Celtic."

    Hearts manager Daniel StendelImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Hearts manager Daniel Stendel cuts an animated figure in the dugout

  6. 'Hearts need to show this desire every game'published at 21:52 GMT 18 December 2019

    FT: Hearts 0-2 Celtic

    Allan Preston
    Former Hearts winger on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    Hearts are not going to come up against Celtic every week. It's easy to get yourself up for games like this, so they need to show this desire every game

  7. 'Positives for both teams'published at 21:49 GMT 18 December 2019

    FT: Hearts 0-2 Celtic

    Tom English
    BBC Scotland's chief sports writer on Sportsound

    Quote Message

    Both teams got what they were looking for. Celtic got another deserved win and Hearts got a bit of pride and maybe a bit of momentum for Daniel Stendel. You could see his imprint on show. If Hearts produce that for the rest of the season, they won't have any problems

  8. Can Hearts build on better display?published at 21:45 GMT 18 December 2019

    FT: Hearts 0-2 Celtic

    Two games and two defeats for new Hearts boss Daniel Stendel, but the German will surely be buoyed by the improved attitude and energy tonight.

    The team were clapped off the park, in contrast to the boos and jeers on Saturday.

    The struggling Edinburgh side have a HUGE game at Hamilton Accies at the weekend, with just one goal separating the sides at the wrong end of the table.

  9. Nine in a row for Celticpublished at 21:42 GMT 18 December 2019

    FT: Hearts 0-2 Celtic

    That's nine league wins in a row for Celtic. Next up for the champions is a home game with Aberdeen on Saturday.

    They are away to St Mirren on Boxing Day and end the year with nearest challengers Rangers coming to Celtic Park on the 29th.

    Can anyone stop in-form Celtic before the year is out?Image source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Can anyone stop in-form Celtic before the year is out?

  10. 'Celtic professionalism incredible'published at 21:38 GMT 18 December 2019

    FT: Hearts 0-2 Celtic

    Allan Preston
    Former Hearts winger on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    It's another great performance from Celtic. They just keep churning them out time and time again. Their level of professionalism is incredible

  11. FULL-TIME Hearts 0-2 Celticpublished at 90+2 mins

    Celtic move five points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

    A spirited display from Hearts but the visitors created all of the good chances after the interval, failing to add to first-half strikes from Ryan Christie and Olivier Ntcham.

    Celtic were 2-0 winners at TynecastleImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Celtic players celebrate Olivier Ntcham's controlled finish

  12. Postpublished at 90 mins

    Hearts 0-2 Celtic

    Two minutes of stoppage time.

  13. Postpublished at 86 mins

    Hearts 0-2 Celtic

    A terrible back-pass from Sean Clare goes straight to Leigh Griffiths inside the penalty area but the Hearts man is able to recover the situation, snuffing out the danger near the byeline as the Celtic substitute is slow to get the ball under control.

  14. 'Edouard has been sensational'published at 21:29 GMT 18 December 2019

    Hearts 0-2 Celtic

    Allan Preston
    Former Hearts winger on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    I think Edouard has been sensational. His touch, his ability to link up and his strength has been great. He should've scored as well, he will be disappointed with that

  15. Double change for Celticpublished at 83 mins

    Hearts 0-2 Celtic

    Nir Bitton, who signed a new Celtic contract this week, is on for James Forrest and Leigh Griffiths is taking over from Odsonne Edouard.

    A three-man central defence for Celtic for the closing stages?

    Odsonne Edouard has been a handful for Hearts this eveningImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Odsonne Edouard has been a handful for Hearts this evening

  16. Postpublished at 81 mins

    Hearts 0-2 Celtic

    The Tynecastle pitch is sodden as the game rages from end to end. There are a few tired legs out there and play is getting stretched.

  17. YELLOW CARDpublished at 78 mins

    Hearts 0-2 Celtic

    Hearts defender Craig Halkett has an awkward prod at goal that trickles wide and then he's racing back to the other end of the park as Odsonne Edouard makes a mess of a header from James Forrest's excellent cross.

    Now Halkett is booked for the game's latest late challenge. A busy few moments for the centre-half.

  18. Hearts showing 'desire and spirit'published at 21:20 GMT 18 December 2019

    Hearts 0-2 Celtic

    Allan Preston
    BBC Scotland summariser on Sportsound

    Quote Message

    Hearts have shown desire and spirit. But they're playing better players and that's the bottom line. They have hung in there and that's sadly been lacking this year

  19. Postpublished at 75 mins

    Hearts 0-2 Celtic

    Hearts are getting a second wind here and the home crowd have come to life again as the ball pings around in the Celtic penalty area before it's hoofed away.

  20. Postpublished at 73 mins

    Hearts 0-2 Celtic

    Michael Smith has a pop from distance as the rain starts to tumble in Edinburgh. The ball skips up off the wet turf but straight into the arms of Celtic goalie Fraser Forster.