A lack of cutting edge cost Celtic dearly as a Hearts smash and grab sent them into the Scottish Cup final after spending most of the game under the cosh. A controversial last minute penalty by Craig Beattie put Hearts through after an equally controversial equaliser from Celtic four minutes from time.
Celtic completely dominated the first half but had nothing up front to exploit their possession or territorial advantage. Hearts best opportunity of the game came within the opening seconds when Kelvin Wilson was carless with a back pass which was collected by Elliot but Fraser Forster came to the rescue.
Celtic then took over and bossed Hearts comprehensively but could not find a way to open the Hearts defence. Lustig headed over from Kris Commons free kick after the full back was fouled. Midway through the half Commons and Samaras combined to release Mulgrew who crossed from the win for Hooper who should have scored with his header from 8 yards but could not find the target.
Commons nipped onto a short back pass 10 minutes from half time but his touch to take the ball behind goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald was too heavy. Commons had Celtic’s first attempt on target five minutes from the break with a shot from 23 yards but MacDonald saved comfortably.
Ki had two incredible chances in the game, both unmarked back post headers at the end of each half. With 44 minutes gone he struck the upright from 4 yards when he should have scored, an outcome that would be repeated towards the end of the game.
Craig Beattie was introduced at half time and immediately changed the pattern of the game. Two minutes into the second half he played-in Rudi Skacel, benefitting from a ricochet off Kelvin Wilson. Skacel rounded Fraser Forster and shot high into the net.
The goal seemed to break Celtic’s spirit as Hearts created several chances in the opening 20 minutes of the second half. Skacel shot from 35 yards, forcing Forster into a good save. The same player then shot wide after a knock down from Beattie.
Andy Driver dispossessed Michael Lustig just after the hour but Glenn Loovens came to the rescue and conceded a corner. Craig Beattie then played a one-two with Driver before shooting narrowly wide.
Neil Lennon changed Celtic’s shape in an attempt to get back into the game, replacing Samaras with Anthony Stokes and Celtic were soon back in the ascendency. Hooper linked with Stokes on 66 minutes but the Irishman’s shot was deflected wide.
Stokes then headed over from a Ledley cross and had an attempt from 13 yards after Mulgrew cut back to him.
On 82 minutes Ki should have levelled after Kris Commons chipped a free kick towards the back post by the Korean midfielder headed against the post again.
Anthony Stokes should have equalised with five minutes remaining when he got onto the end of a Mulgrew header but he could not turn the ball goal-wards.
A minute later Dylan McGeogh fed Joe Ledley who moved the ball onto Charlie Mulgrew. Mulgrew crossed for Gary Hooper who headed home from 4 yards but the Celtic striker was in an offside position when the cross was played.
In the 90th minute referee Euan Norris awarded Hearts a penalty kick when the ball struck Joe Ledley’s arm when struck from less than 2 yards from him while he was trying to turn his back on the ball to block. Ledley’s arm was not at his side but it was not in an unnatural position either, nor was there even the remotest suggestion of a deliberate act. Beattie struck the penalty straight down the middle as Forster dived to his left.
The last few frantic moments of the game offered further opportunities for Celtic. A Ledley volley was saved before the ball struck Andy Webster inside the Hearts box but the referee wasn’t interested on this occasion.
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Two things I thought today post match.
If Ki had knocked those two in he would have been MotM – Sammi worked hard, never hid, Broonie everywhere, etc… Ki is awsome, what a pleasure to watch.
and
I was so glad Neil Lennon walked onto that park and pointed out – again – the cheating. (I’m tired of people coming on here and havering about Neil not doing himself any favours. Who to? They ALL hate him. Think, Monty Python, “Jehovah… Jehovah!” )
Didn’t have the where-with-aws to post it earlier, but delighted to see other posters saying it now.
Ki knows now that a pat on the back is only ever a very short distance from a kick up the arse. A fine, learning footballer.
bjmac on 16 April, 2012 at 00:53 said:
—————
HH bjmac – they have been on all day. antrimkev and tricoloured ribbon have been putting the boot in all day. They seem to be prominent in defeat. Didn’t see mickbhoy1888 post but will take your word.
If i had contempt they would be beneath it!
HH
AoW
celt 55 was in the processs , legend is mr vincent , what would he play in the hoops? striker?
Tommy Joad
We lose too many points and games when Ki plays, it isn’t a coincidence.
I believe he is a very good player, just not in games where he doesn’t get time. Having watched him closely and argued with many, I believe he hides when it gets tough, his awareness is excellent when picking a pass, however his awareness when he doesn’t have the ball is shockingly bad. Killie cup final goal the player crossed wandered by Ki sleeping to collect and cross. Too many times he gets caught sleeping, maybe concentration is the problem rather than awareness, or maybe it is laziness, irrespective unless this aspect of his game improves he’ll struggle badly in our team. He is simply not good enough for us, he shows glimpses of being great, that however is not enough to be great, he needs to contribute more in all aspects of his game, particularly when we don’t have the ball.
all about opinions
hh
bjmac
Summa of Sammi…. on 16 April, 2012 at 00:59 said:,
Mmmmm. As much as ….nowt , he was…nowt…
Keep supporting.
Bjmac
Let me assure you this hun invests at least £1400 in supporting green and white hooped jerseys and is not easily led by a man who choose to go and sample what Ibrox had to offer before signing for the hoops only when he was going nowhere in England
AntrimKev,
If you think this lad is a terrible player, to quote you, and if you would sell him for 2-3m, aged 22, you are, wIth respect, contributing to the crazy short termism that has destroyed Scottish football.
Below are some highlights from a true footballer
http://youtu.be/H9bie8miWgQ
Ki Seung Yeung
TJ
leave ki alone , he had couple headers today that i would have missed so no beef from me . he a FOOTballer btw. hooper should be headin them in.. hes a goalscorer . Ki is eastern punkroker for me.
Tommy Joad on 16 April, 2012 at 01:03 said:
—————————–
Tommy, read his post from earlier (antrimkev). Tab 3 i think.
Slaughters the entire team and does not mention MIB influence. I can definitely smell shite!
HH
.
BJmac..
Just Seen Your Post.. You must Shirley have Pencilled that in After the Game Today..
OK Then..
CQN Scottish Cup Final Away Day to Blackpool in The Sammi Shammy Shuttle to the Royal Lyrham St Ann’s Golf Outing..;0))))
3 Birds with the One Golf Ball..
Summa
punkrockbhoy on 16 April, 2012 at 01:01 said:
The way he cuddled the mike, he would have been in goal!
mickybhoy88 were ye up all night thinkin bout yer moniker . ye have done well . yer never a punk either
girfuy
liquid time soon
Fred c Dobbs @ 00:54
Your right about enemas he is spouting shite on t
Off to my bed now
Disappointed that Celtic fans will not have the chance for an end of season double at Hampden but I’ll still be there to cheer us on in our final 5 games to commemorate winning back the big prize.
Too many Celtic fans are only happy when they have something to complain about. We have been going as a club for 124 years now and competing for the league for 122 of those years. This year we won our 43rd title so we win one roughly every 3 years. The title has been away for slightly longer than average so I am extra glad to see it back.
Many thanks to Neil Lennon and the squad that achieved this. You’ve made a lot of tims happy even if you have spoiled it for the tims with anhedonia :-)
G’night CQN
good call celt55 good handsx safe
Mickbhoy1888
So it is just Lenny you hate…. Hmmmmm
What a ridiculous post. Which block you sit in ? CR or CL
SUMMA
20th May 1st outing, been saving it for you getting “home” ;-) hope you can make that rather than some mentalist running a bus to b/pool;-)))
hh
Bjmac
Now that the dust has settled, we can surely all agree that Glen Loovens is ten times the player that “big dan”, or kelvin wilson is?
My real bugbear is this “family final” mince that we hear in scotland. I was in the family section today with my Grandson, So many young fans were near tears with thar result…do we not count as a family club? Make ye sick.
Seems apt tonight
New Neil Lennon tribute song
http://youtu.be/2DTs1P28Juw
TJ
Summa
Pencilled in around 3:30 this avo, as you say ;-))))
hh
B
mickbhoy1888 on 15 April, 2012 at 16:13 said:
I left Kilmarnock last week on the final whistle and did not get involved in the celebrations I am glad I did now because as far as I am concerned this years league title ,without the other two trophies ,is now worthless and I am afraid Mr Lennon is to blame and no one else
I Think you just outed yourself ya Hun
See the stinking Orc is still posting
Jam67
.
CaltonTongues..
Ehhh.. Even l don’t Ken whit Ye Mean..
I’m a Riddler but Cannae De-Riddle Ye..
Cheers Buddi..
Summa
btw im lookin for some info on my relatives , my mas uncle was John Paton , he an his son played for the hooped punx . my grans funeral wake at Celtic park few years back brought this to my attetion , team came down to loungue to pay respects as ma wee gran ha been season ticket holder for 60 yrs, butfound out that day that my relatives hade worn the hopps was so proud , could have burst. any info on them appreciated.
Tommy Joad on 16 April, 2012 at 01:03 said:
not nakamura but he’ll do ;)
he is still yung ;) and those who are wanting him sold if he had scored even 1 of those headers you wouldnt want him sold
hh
Art of War on 16 April, 2012 at 01:06 said
ah right i see
im a hun then
ffs
well done
(Prick)ed a nerve I see…
Another belting Neil Lennon song
http://youtu.be/X1uvn-jykJI
TJ
setting free the bears on 16 April, 2012 at 01:08 said:
Excellent post. I will also be going to every game, assuming the decision to vote a new club into the SPL doesn’t take place.
Glasgow Celtic Champions sounds good to me.
hh
bjmac
Fred C. Dobbs on 16 April, 2012 at 01:12 said:’
FFS we lost today?
We’re all greating?
If the weans can’t handle it….
FFS….
Art of War,
I reckon you better start providing evidence of your accusations and for one check when I posted first TONIGHT.Prominent in defeat? WTF is that all about?
guys fight the real enemy
ftsfa
setting free the bears on 16 April, 2012 at 01:08
Well said, that is the big picture, we have the title, that’s the main thing.
donegalbhoy67, not Nakamura…. yet.
The lad is an absolute Rolls Royce, and I can guarantee you, that is not my quote. Have to persevere, the boy is class.
TJ
.
I Noticed Post Match many were Calling for a Bhoycott to Our Last 2 Away Games..
While it will Never Happen..
Would Celtic Not have to Pay for their Ticket Allocation Anyroad..?
So we Would be Hurting Celtic.. Yes..
Summa
CaltonTongues,
Why is it a family final cos we ain’t in it?
no bother lads Ki is a smashing footballer, up there with the likes of messi and maybe even diego himself
Wilson is up there with Beckenbauer
Loovens ranks alonside Baresi
My God we were pash poor for 86 minutes, hooper scores and then we get cheated
and cheated we were
but for 86 minutes we were rank
86 minutes
of absolute guck
86 f in minutes
of pure boring guck
86 minutes
calton ye know abercrombie st? thats where ma granny stayed across from St Marys
anyone any info on my relatives . be much appreciated.
ftsa