Summary

  • Celtic now four points behind leaders Rangers

  • Postecoglou's men five points above Hearts having played a game fewer

  • Forrest hits post before Kyogo converts Ralston cross at near post for half-time lead

  • Celtic lose Ralston, Jota & Welsh to injury; both sides go close in thrilling second half

  • Watch highlights on Sportscene at 23:00 GMT on BBC Scotland

  1. What next?published at 22:26 GMT 2 December 2021

    FT: Celtic 1-0 Hearts

    Celtic go to Tannadice for a noon showdown with Dundee United on Sunday, while Hearts make the short trip to Livingston on the same day (15:00 GMT).

    We'll be back with more Scottish Premiership coverage on Saturday when the card looks like this...

    • Aberdeen v St Mirren
    • Hibernian v Motherwell
    • Rangers v Dundee
    • St Johnstone v Ross County

    If you need a football fix before then, Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Kilmarnock is BBC Scotland's tasty looking Friday night Championship offering (19:45).

    Good night!

  2. Don't forget Sportscenepublished at 22:24 GMT 2 December 2021

    FT: Celtic 1-0 Hearts

    You can catch up with half an hour of highlights from tonight's game on BBC Scotland at 23:00 GMT.

    Kyogo scored the only goal of an eventful match at Celtic ParkImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Kyogo scored the only goal of an eventful match at Celtic Park

  3. Ralston a worry for Celtic bosspublished at 22:22 GMT 2 December 2021

    FT: Celtic 1-0 Hearts

    On his side's injuries, Ange Postecoglou added: "Ralston is probably the one that is the most concerning. For him to go off it's probably something significant.

    "The plans for January haven't changed one bit though. The plans are to bring players in."

  4. 'If anyone thinks the ref decided that they’re watching a different game'published at 22:19 GMT 2 December 2021

    FT: Celtic 1-0 Hearts

    "That means the ref's on three points, he's still bottom of the league," says a perplexed Ange Postecoglou when told about Robbie Neilson's take on the game.

    "If anyone thinks the ref decided that game they’re watching a different game to what I am," he tells BBC Sportsound. "I think we should have won by more goals, that’s my analysis. He has his analysis, he can communicate it the way he wants, I’m communicating it the way I want."

  5. 'We were just missing being more ruthless' - Postecogloupublished at 22:15 GMT 2 December 2021

    FT: Celtic 1-0 Hearts

    Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou tells BBC Sportsound: “It was a game with a fair bit on it which is great, it’s what you want for the supporters.

    "We were just missing being more ruthless. At 1-0, the opposition are always in it but I think Joe [Hart] only had one save to really make, we defended very well I thought.

    "On another day we’d take our opportunities and make the scoreline more reflective.

    "We’re going to have to break down defences at times but if teams want to get aggressive we have to move the ball quickly."

  6. 'I've never seen anything like it in my life'published at 22:12 GMT 2 December 2021

    FT: Celtic 1-0 Hearts

    "I'd end up going to jail if I said what I really think about it," adds Hearts boss Robbie Neilson when asked about Bobby Madden's decision to go for a drop-ball after Jota's injury.

    "I've never seen anything like it in my life," he adds. "The boy pulls his hamstring and the referee stops the game and gives them the ball back when we're going to counter-attack. But that's Scottish football... You're in Glasgow."

  7. 'We got beaten by poor decisions from the officials'published at 22:08 GMT 2 December 2021

    FT: Celtic 1-0 Hearts

    Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson cuts a frustrated figure in his BBC Sportsound interview.

    "I was delighted with the players, especially the second half I thought we had the better of the game," he said. "We played on the front foot, pressed Celtic and created chances.

    "We didn't get beaten by Celtic, we got beat by poor decisions from the officials, that’s the galling thing.

    "I’ve seen it, everyone would agree with it [the goal being offside]. The linesman had a brilliant view. I don’t want to say too much, last time I did, at Ibrox, I had the book thrown at me.

    "We deserved to take something out of the game, in key moments in the game Craig Gordon had a few good saves but we had good chances. But we were done by a very, very poor official."

  8. 'A lot to take for Hearts'published at 22:02 GMT 2 December 2021

    FT: Celtic 1-0 Hearts

    Michael Stewart
    Former Hearts midfielder on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    It's little solace since they didn't get any points but there's a lot to take from that for Hearts. They came here and had a proper go. It was a very good performance from them, they just had to take one of their opportunities.

  9. 'McGregor loving the responsibility'published at 21:58 GMT 2 December 2021

    FT: Celtic 1-0 Hearts

    Darren Jackson
    Former Celtic & Hearts forward on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    I think Callum McGregor has grown into being Celtic captain. He looks as though he loves the responsibility

  10. Time for VAR?published at 21:55 GMT 2 December 2021

    FT: Celtic 1-0 Hearts

    There are sure to be more calls for VAR in Scottish football after Kyogo's decisive goal. But when will we get the technology in place?

    Thumbs up if you want it pronto, thumbs down if you're happy with the current system.

  11. 'Postecoglou is the real deal'published at 21:49 GMT 2 December 2021

    FT: Celtic 1-0 Hearts

    Michael Stewart
    Former Hearts midfielder on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    Ange Posteoglou is the real deal, for me. He clearly has the team on his side and they want to play for him. They're progressing and getting better.

  12. Injuries cloud victory for Celticpublished at 21:46 GMT 2 December 2021

    FT: Celtic 1-0 Hearts

    A good night for Celtic as they continue to impress and stay on the coattails of Rangers.

    But it came at a cost, with apparent muscle injuries for three players; Anthony Ralston, Jota and Stephen Welsh.

    Anthony Ralston pulled up shortly after setting up the only goalImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Anthony Ralston pulled up shortly after setting up the only goal

  13. Grumblings over the goal...published at 21:43 GMT 2 December 2021

    FT: Celtic 1-0 Hearts

    A few of the Hearts players were giving referee Bobby Madden a bit of constructive criticism at the end there. The visitors will be aggrieved that the only goal appeared to be scored from an offside position.

    Hearts captain Craig Gordon in conversation with the match officialsImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Hearts captain Craig Gordon in conversation with the match officials

  14. 'Hearts gave it everything'published at 21:41 GMT 2 December 2021

    FT: Celtic 1-0 Hearts

    Pat Bonner
    Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    Celtic deserved to be a goal up at the interval, controversy aside. Hearts came out and pushed more players forward, it got pretty edgy at times inside Celtic Park. The reaction at full-time says it all.

  15. FULL-TIME Celtic 1-0 Heartspublished at 90+5 mins

    Kyogo's first-half goal is enough to move Celtic back to within four points of Premiership leaders Rangers.

    Hearts gave the home side a few scares in the second half, while Celtic just couldn't find a second goal to settle the nerves.

    Kyogo scored his 14th goal of the seasonImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Kyogo scored his 14th goal of the season

  16. Postpublished at 90+4 mins

    Celtic 1-0 Hearts

    Time is ticking away and Hearts can't get anywhere near Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart.

  17. 'Great effort from both sides'published at 21:34 GMT 2 December 2021

    Celtic 1-0 Hearts

    Pat Bonner
    Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    The commitment from both sets of players has been incredible. Souttar has a great block and then that's followed by Kyogo sprinting back 40-yards to win possession back.

  18. CLOSE!published at 90+2 mins

    Celtic 1-0 Hearts

    James Forrest jinks one way, then another, but his route to goal is blocked by maroon shirts and he lays it off for David Turnbull, who watches his deflected shot spin narrowly wide.

  19. Five minutes to play...published at 90 mins

    Celtic 1-0 Hearts

    Into stoppage time we go.

  20. Postpublished at 89 mins

    Celtic 1-0 Hearts

    Lots of open space now as the game breaks back and forward like a basketball contest. Tom Rogic has a pop from 18 yards but John Souttar makes a terrific sliding block.