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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DJBEE on 15 April, 2012 at 16:24 said:
We need some sort of action and it is going to have to come from the fans.as the club
will do nothing. I was not at the game today but those who were we have seen it all before, I have seen it all before. I have been called paranoid all my adult life and all Celtic fans were called paranoid until recently. Hooper was offside today by about 5 1/2 inches, this is the only decision we have had go for us in the last six weeks that I can think of. We have been cheated out of two trophy’s this season by obscure refereeing decisions and cheated out of God knows how many trophies over the last decade at least. If the rulers of the game cannot do anything or will not do anything but change the rules and cheat again, the only option is for a bhoycott of all away games next season. There has got to be talks between the fans and the board, there must be. I know it will change the way of life for many people but I can see this as the only way forward. It has now gone to the grotesque officials doing everything they possibly can to make sure that Celtic do not win. I speak for myself here but I am absolutely sick of these decisions and if the board do not do anything, anything at all, our board, then I think we demand their withdrawal as they are not fit for purpose.
Can anyone confirm the Hearts banner about Stan Petrov on Facebook as genuine – because if it is – it simply is one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen. Reprehensible.
U
bhoys accept it ffs, mibs aside…………….we were pish
Time to walk away Celtic ?
Serious question to the support.
The glorious balance sheet.
There will be no chance of us harming their cup final players.
They will field a virtual reserve team in meaningless fixture the week before a cup final.
We had our chance to hurt their cup final team today.
TT
Can i ask this question please?
what happens when a shot on goal is heading towards a refs face and he turns away to avoid the impact.he puts his body in the way or raises his arms to avoid his coupon gettin smashed……………whats the diff?
HH
hail hail
I have just seen the Webster handball. Blatant, bhoys.
Auldheid
We have been systematicly cheated sine I can remember, and we were being cheated before I can remember, the reason my Da couldn’t get into the game was cos of the cheating that favoured one club.
I honestly thought a couple of years ago after the dougie, dougie thing, whe Dr John said those days are gone, the club meant it, I was weong mi amigo, they have done nothing imo to rectify anything.
I have said untill I am going blue in the face,you can change the rules all you want, untill you take the hun out of the hearts of the referees, it will be same old, same old.
We as a club need to fight for foriegn referees,it will be the only chance we have.
It has gone on far too long.
RobinBhoy on 15 April, 2012 at 16:52 said:
Who is giving the team that undeserved reputation of bottlers?
Think about it?
If you can.
The ref is like the post. No matter what part of him it hits, play continues.
Lenny just tweeted
….Referee told players he thought Wanyama handled..
==========
“Thought Vic had handled”. THOUGHT – WTF happend to certain before awarding a pen. It really really stinks. A close offside decison going against you, a player conning the ref for a pen fair enough that’s football but a ref giving a pen because he ‘thought’ someone had handled.
Unless you are Johnny Doyle.
Just safely home from Hampden despite being so close to, and having to intermingle on exit, with the dregs of humanity from the Edinburgh districts.
Deja Vous, in a one off game where controversy can affect the 90 minutes, and if you are a Celtic fan you should by now, be well used to the feeling.
Both Hampden cup games, where officialdom could and would influence duly did, and Celtic have now twice had to pay a heavy price, for the unfolding demise of Rangers.
Good team Celtic, but by no means Larssonessque, and when the half chances don’t go in, when it’s touch and go, – the SFA will intervene.
As for the football NL didn’t learn enough from the Kilmarnock game where we failed against an ultra defensive set up, and yes we have still Celtic players that are nearly men in whom I would include Anthony Stokes and Giorgios Samaras.
I think it showed how frail we were, that McGeouch was introduced to try and save the game, lots of players had hangovers including Mulgrew in whom I was disappointed especially passing up the chance with a free kick and allowing Commons to take it, and heads were clearly down.
I doubt Kelvin Wilson will be a fixture in next season’s side, and it’s ironic that Glen Loovens finishes the season as our strongest centre back, Lustig doesn’t impress, at full back on any level, of ability or fitness.
In fairness to Neil Lennon he is already on record as saying we need more quality, and trimming of the squad, lets hope he meant it.
Plus ça change CSC
RobinBhoy on 15 April, 2012 at 16:52 said:
I don’t rate Wilson. Every time I’ve seen him he seemed to me to make bad decisions. However I’m sitting here typing this and the guy that picks him is the manager of Celtic, so what do I know.
I am guilty as any in writing various Celtic players off before they go on to be important players in a championship winning team e.g. Rogne.
Althougfh this is a sore one, all I wanted was the league, a fantastic achievment when you think of the year Lenny has had.
We do have problems and days like today are so frustrating. I can not explain the seeming lack of urgency that often afflicts us. If we don’t score first you start feeeling queasy and yet in our most important game this season, we came from behind to beat M’well.
Anyway, cheers for indulging me, I feel better and off to enjoy the last few hours of my week off.
no, I’M Neil Lennon “i’ll never walk alone” (fourstonecoppi ) on 15 April, 2012 at 17:04 said:
bhoys accept it ffs, mibs aside…………….we were pish
—————————————————————————————————
No we were not. IMHO.
Estadio Nacional on 15 April, 2012 at 16:58 said:
Why are we playing our best centre half at left back and have brought Loovens back in at centre half while Eeeeeeemilio is on the bench?
yep bang on
ulysses mcghee on 15 April, 2012 at 17:04 said:
Can anyone confirm the Hearts banner about Stan Petrov on Facebook as genuine – because if it is – it simply is one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen.
Ive seen that pic.
Im speechless!
Too many crap performances in the past month or so.Only game we looked good was last week the early goals made a difference.
Out with the old in with the new.
Cha, Wilson x 2, Loovens, O’Dea, Thompson, Jaurez, McCourt, MvGinn, Rassmusen and Cervi. Should all go, possibly more.
Give McGeogh, Twardziz, Fraser, Watt ,Izzy and some other young players a run. Don’t waste time and opportunities on those who won’t be herr or don’t contribute when they get a chance.
CELTIC FIRST thats fine
what im saying is he is human and tryin to deflect somethin thats gona hurt him
tell me the diif on a defender?
HH
It is frightening,the power and influence that this cabal of so-called referees hold.
We thought they were on the ropes after the “Dougie,Dougie” fiasco,we thought that we had struck a knock-out blow with the outing,and subsequent removal of Dallas.
Far from it – they are as bad,if not worse than they ever were.
They have the power to determine a lot of our games,especially the likes of Cup Finals,one-off games,and games that are close.
I can’t wait for the CL qualifiers,and hopefully the group stages.We need a break from them.
Anger is the overwhelming emotion i have this afternoon, i missed the game today due to work commitments, but was able to view it on tv.
Norris, well what can i say, a hun, performing as tasked, and that should always be factored into any genuine reflections on the game.
Our failings i will leave for another day, hence to say we cannot keep blowing these games regardless of the MIB.
Why did Dolph or Thommo not approach Norris at the final whistle? Neil unfortunately will be the headline tomorrow, it’s about time the club said something officially on the cheats that officiate our game.
gebhoy
bournesouprecipe on 15 April, 2012 at 17:08 said:
agree
Bhoys do you think this cheating is new ? big Jock Stein new the cheating that took place against Celtic.How did he over come it ? he put a team out on the park that could win most games 3 or 4 nil so there cheating was ineffective when we start putting our chances away we can do the same.If you are waiting for the officials to change you will wate until Hell freezes over.H.H.
Auld Neil Lennon heid at 16:59
Collum’s SPL stats, as best as I can collate them from online information, show he is 10 times more likely to award Rangers a penalty than he is Celtic.
And he gets given the League Cup final and a Cup semi, and promoted to the media by the SFA to counter Richmond’s comments.
How do you change an organisation that is rotten at the core?
Radio Scotland. After Alan Thompson’s interview ex heart Robertson actually said that Victor Wanyama had dived for the free kick that Ki missed his second header from. He then more or less said, I don’t hear him complaining about that.This guy actually had the benefit of replays too.
THE EXILED TIM on 15 April, 2012 at 17:05 said:
The problem is that referees have to be supported to uphold their authority on the park. If they are constantly questioned that authority is undermined so there is an aversion to question openly.
The problem though is that they can use this protection for their own ends an have too much power in the running of the game. The structure encourages a cartel who know they will not be called to account because the folk who should do so are part of the cartel and it this that needs to be broken. No one has the stomach for it, it would seem..
Snake Plissken on 15 April, 2012 at 16:05 said:
Great post snake plissken and in total agreement.
The sooner we leave this stinking corrupt set up the better
Jam67
“an equally controversial equaliser from Celtic”
Paul, I appreciate your attempt at giving some measured nuetrality, but you are way of the mark with this one.
There is a huge difference between an official passively missing an incident as would be the case with the offside decision, and an official actively giving a decision for something that did not happen which is the case with the deliberate handball decision.
You will notice this pattern with many of the controversial decisions in Celtic games.
Writing that these kinds of incidents are equitable is music to the ears of those anti-Celtic.
Richie on 15 April, 2012 at 17:08 said:
no, I’M Neil Lennon “i’ll never walk alone” (fourstonecoppi ) on 15 April, 2012 at 17:04 said:
bhoys accept it ffs, mibs aside…………….we were pish
————————————————————————–
No we were not, dominated most of the game, very unforunate not to have scored at least three goals, ki twice and hooper header from mulgrew cross,
We got stitched up at the end, no question.
HH
Mike
Ironic that Hearts never pay HMRC either..
What a shower of incompetence in our game..
In Neil we trust..
Faithful through and through..
Thanks for the League Bhoys!!!
nothing without fans on 15 April, 2012 at 17:11 said:
See my reply to TET.
There is a way to break the cartel but so far not the will to do it.
Celt55, hard to believe from Robertson, a clearer foul by Grainger you will not see. Can you indulge me with a summary of Thommos comments, missed them.
Cheers
TJ
For you on here who dont want to admit ref influenced result today then you are deluded then again you probably think that vics tackle v dobs was worse than black straight leg assault on ledley aye right!!!
Palacio67 on 15 April, 2012 at 10:07 said:
Would love to see the same team who started at Killie today. Also think Beattie might cause us problems, but I think our biggest threat is the mib in the middle, so no hard tackles Celtic, remember a red card off for us = a booking for them.
Heading out now to catch the bus, a beautiful day here in El Peurto de Glasgow, reminds me of the old end of season hampden games.
Hail Hail
====================
Posted this early this morning, mibbery and Beattie. Had a low seat in section F today, a horrible view so I can have no say on most of the far away decisions. What I did see was a hertz goalkeeper who consistantly wasted time since they scored, where was the ref? Did’nt see Neils Reaction at the end as I bolted at the final whistle.
I am not going to slag Neil, I will always be in his corner, no matter what. If the sfa are going to hammer him, then just come out all guns blazing Neil and tell them how corrupt they all are. Infact Celtic should make an official statement about the bias and include their stand against the rule changes regarding newco.
Go for it Celtic, no better time than now when they are on their last breath.
Two minds whether to watch the sky highlights.
Hurting badly just now.
Hail Hail
Allgreen tthinks SPL are at it on 15 April, 2012 at 17:09
Paddy ? Why ?
In Scotland there is Celtic and the Celtic support no one else, so looking for sympathy or fairness imo is a waste of time.This young Celtic team must learn this and adopt a seige mentality.While Lennie and Alan Thomson have right on there side complaining to officialdom will only earn them more and more time in the stand.Lennie needs to work on this young squad an ensure the take there chances and that the defence is watertight and the moment they are neither.H.H.
Sadly Wilson is a dud. Lenny has been terrific in the transfer market but a blind man could see this guy is a liability.
On Lenny saying the ref thought it was Wanyama & never saw it properly. Well he certainly pointed to the spot quick enough. Bent decision, no other explanation for it.
Agree we were nowhere near our best 2day but facts remain if rules of the game are applied fairly & evenly to both teams, then hearts do NOT get a penalty that is a fact. I think the club need to by pass corrupt sfa & go straight to UEFA to get something resembling a level playing pitch as we all know it is nowhere near a one off today