Just as in Bologna on Thursday, Celtic’s passing during the opening exchanges was excellent. They dominated early proceedings and could have scored through a Liam Scales header from a corner before Benjamin Nygren put them ahead with an outstanding free kick.
This period ended after 20 minutes, when a series of Hearts free kicks interrupted the champions rhythm. Once Hearts established a foothold in midfield, Celtic’s passing disintegrated. Unforced errors allowed the home team time to build a way back into the game. Celtic were unable to do anything about this malaise, even when the game was 11 v 11.
Tomas Cvancara made his Celtic debut and started his first game since November. He had a relatively quiet game until he showed us what all the fuss was about just after the hour. A one-two with Daizen Meada allowed him to race down the left wing, drawing Craig Gordon before sliding a perfect ball into the path of Yang to put Celtic 1-2 ahead. This move involved the three fastest players. It offers an interesting template.
With Celtic needing to hold the ball in the middle of the park, I was surprised Reo Hatate was unused. Changes were limited to fitness or an intervention from the officials. Cvancara was replaced minutes after the aforementioned goal, Kieran Terney went off after treatment, and Anthony Ralston replaced Yang to bolster the defence after Auston Trusty was red carded.
The decision of VAR to intervene and suggest an upgrade to Trusty’s yellow card strained the credibility of an obvious error by the referee. You are asked to believe that Celtic’s fastest defender would not have adjusted his trajectory had the Hearts striker got free of Trusty. The decision cost Celtic a win and I was genuinely surprised when it was made.
Critical interventions from Liam Scales and Kasper Schmeichel, both of whom delivered their second outstanding performances of the week, kept Hearts at bay with so much on the line.
The result was celebrated by the home side in a similar way to how Philippe Clement’s team celebrated a 3-3 draw against Celtic two years ago. Then, as now, a home win would have gone a long way to eliminate Celtic from the title race. A draw did not achieve this on either occasion.
Early days, but what we saw from Tomas Cvancara was encouraging. He has pace and links the ball to feet or in front of him. Link-up play with his new team-mates will improve. If we can get his pace working with that of Daizen and Yang, we have an interesting fast counter-attack option. During the game, I was shouting for Celtic to go long. We’ll see how this plays out in the weeks ahead.
196 Comments- Pages:
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CONEYBHOY on 26TH JANUARY 2026 12:48 PM
Thanks, good stuff
Daizen has a great work ethic but is clumsy , Yang not for me we need much better than both of them, Jota missing has been a terrible miss for the team and the squad. Add CCV Sarrachi Johnson and Iheanacho, thats 5 out field players missing from our starting 11 as Tierney and Sarrachi could spell each other.
I know snap judgements are for mugs but it’s a positive one so I thought there was a lot about Tom’s performance that reminded me of Chris Sutton yesterday.
Just watched the game back , over and over, here are my conclusions.
We didn’tplay very well.
Hearts first goal was a mess up amongs KT, Kasper and Engels, all of whom should and could have prevented the goal. Poor stuff. Their second goal if you look carefully was offside, go check please.
The sending off was a scandal, nothing less. Two guys “coming together ” trying to get the ball, not even a foul in my book. Brother ref awarded a free kick, and a yellow, BUT, he was ordered by the ludge master to check it out being told no doubt to award a red card.
The west side bigots got their way when they said the didn’t want Gollum to officiate their games and got what they wanted, no more Gollum.
We have in the past had loads of issues with Beaton and until we tell “them” we don’t want him involved in our games, nothing will change, ain’t gonna happen. Just behave little Timmy, do as we say.
And so it goes on.
|There was no way in the world were we going to or be allowed to win yesterday, no way.
I am proud to be a Tim , always will be
KINGLuBO
I’m still up for a fairytale ending so I’ll wait till till I hear the large lady singing.
I wasn’t surprised in the least by the McLean Beaton antics, I fully expected it before the game kicked off.
Derek McInnes, what a fanny, he looked like one of Keir Starmers rent boys, we’ll remember Derek.
Go get em Martin.
Until VAR decisions are put on the big screens with ref. and VAR official audio these decisions will continue.
No transparency, no accountability.
Free hit for hun, anti-Celtic officials.
Coneybhoy @ 12:48pm
Really good post.
PS – when I typed in your moniker …
… spellchecker offered me “moneybox”
We are long overdue to call out Beaton
TLWIO @ 12:50pm
“What had the biggest negative impact on our season – the loss to Kairat or the appointment of Nancy?”
——–
Very good question, TLWIO.
Impact on this season?
For me (potentially – depends on the outcome)
Wilfried’s tenure.
6 league games – 6 points …
… looking at the performances on the 6 match days in question, not rose tinted specs, another 5 points could have been realistically achieved.
1 against Hearts
3 against Dundee United
1 against R2ngers
… which actually translates to 7 points against our challengers (2 fewer points for each of them).
Tangible impact which is easy to process.
Leaves us with almost no wriggle room.
Hence my plea for more players (sturdy ones)
Kairat loss was huge – but the impact, let’s be honest, was mostly financial (which we can mitigate for a season) and psychological (always difficult to measure truly)
Has anyone in the HCTS had the money taken out of their bank account yet by Celtic for the Utrecht game on Thursday?
Paul67 et al
Four consecutive away games and we are still in the three tournaments those games involved. Been hard work though. Can see why we brought Stephen Welsh back, but did not even make the bench. Point being, news signings need, like Araujo and Cvancara, to be able to bring something to the party. Or no party. Match was won and lost in the midfield, in the sense that Hearts won that battle. Played to their strengths too, cross from both sides, likewise from corners and set pieces, the latter of which Brother McLean provided plenty. Not all bad decisions change football results but some do, and sending off Trusty must rank in that category. Deliberately so, but you’ll get that from a masonic cabal. Still value in home ties in both the SC and the EL, so lets try and stay in them both for another round or two. There’s whisky in that jar Bhoy…
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy on 26th January 2026 2:18 pm
Came out on December 1st.
I said before the game a draw is not a disaster
There is a few twists and turns (God bless him) before this is over
We have to visit Ipox
Both Hearts and Newco will come to us when the league splits
Hearts and Newco have to play each other twice
And Hearts have 2 more v Hibs – who are not keen on them winning anything
PLUS both Hun teams will get nervous as we get into the last lap
There is much to play for
67ECW
In MON’s era from 2000 – 2005, during that time McLeish became the Hun Manager after a couple of seasons of MON Skelpings, who switched them to a 4-3-3 [Like Porto in Seville 2003] with the front 3 running in behind our back 3 and we could not cope.
One full calendar year later and MON switched to a ‘flat back 4’ and the diving cheating Huns had no answer, no space to run into and dive into the box etc.
It was a relief to see the Hun front 3 having to keep turning back the way and listening to the Huns fans all moaning and groaning for a change.
They had no space to run into, and our ‘flat back four’ Jackie MacNamara at right back, and Ulrik Laursen at left back.
Alan Thompson left wing, Dider Agathe at right wing.
So, if we NOW switch to a ‘flat back 4’ playing long and direct, then the pace of Tomas, Maeda, Yang, Tounetcki as well, would be unplayable.
The danger is, we’d need to play cagey, rope a dope, or on the break.
If we did that yesterday, Hearts would have been wary about coming over the halfway line with the fear of being caught out by a quick Celtic out-ball on the break.
Or Celtic simply being streetwise.
Yesterday we again saw Tounetcki getting the ball and being immediately being double blocked making Tounetcki look like a man short.
Obviously Hearts watched Tounetcki’s wonder goal last week in the cup game.
A winger who can’t cross a ball because he is double blocked is a man short.
So play long and the same winger becomes Bobby Lennox.
Just to add to my post @ 2.32
We need a good week on the transfer front
No projects
I am more worried about Michael than I am about Hearts and Newco
67ECW
If you were a football player and Celtic came calling for you, the first thing that your agent would ask would probably be – “That is brilliant news a big club like, Celtic FC, calling for my client. But the thing is, my player is worth £5 million at present, so what would happen to him after May, when MON leaves, and there is the possibility that Celtic bring in another Manager like Nancy? How much would my client be worth after a season or 2 of that type of Manager, and how much would I personally lose on the resale of my client?”
An Dún on 26th January 2026 7:33 am
“It may yet be a good point but MoN needs more this window and I don’t see him getting it.”
KELVINBHOY on 26TH JANUARY 2026 2:27 PM
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy on 26th January 2026 2:18 pm
Came out on December 1st.
……………………
KelvinBhoy
Thanks for responding. I was beginning to panic. I noticed a debit to Celtic FC on 1 December but I thought that’s a long time ago. It normally comes out within a fortnight of the game.
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy on 26th January 2026 2:39 pm
Shockingly early but typical Celtic.
Blogger GM
Sadly Rangers Hibs seems to be a gimmie of late.
That said they will likely field a strong side at Porto on Thursday as they will want to secure the co eff points they might just need for direct CL access next season. ESP if Olympiakos win in Amsterdam.
According to opta we have a 76.14% chance of qualifying in the EL, so that would mean 2 more tough games in February. That will reduce our SPFL prospects. I’m not unduly worried about Hertz, we are capable of catching them. They’ll drop points in their next two games at either/or Hibs and DU. They also have the huns twice and us at,Parkhead.
The huns are the main threat. We each have 5 games before the next derby at Ibrox. I think we’ll win 4 and draw 1 (away to Aberdeen).
They have a tough run that includes St Mirren away (where they have a poor record), Hibs and Motherwell away and Hertz at home. If they win all 5 we’re in deep shit, especially if we do drop another couple of points. We’d go into that game 4 points behind and with them having the opportunity to put us away. Probably with McLean as ref and Beaton on VAR.
I fear they will win all 5 of their games. They have momentum under Röhl.
Hopefully we might find a few decent options on Friday once Europa and CL leagues stages are over.
24 strong teams, many from leagues ranked 6-20 will drop out. Some decent players maybe worth a loan or signing ?
VALE BHOY on 26TH JANUARY 2026 1:52 PM
Until VAR decisions are put on the big screens with ref. and VAR official audio these decisions will continue.
No transparency, no accountability.
Free hit for hun, anti-Celtic officials.
———————————————————
Couldn’t agree more Vale Bhoy. Not doubt the authorities, not just in Scotland but worldwide, treat supporters both at the match and watching on tv as not to be trusted with this.
Rugby supporters are apparently a different class from being allowed to drink alcohol at games, to being allowed to see replays and hear the referee and TMO discuss decisions. Now some decisions are baffling even here, when what you see with your own eyes something the referee doesn’t!
What really grinds my gears is tv commentators telling us they can hear the discussions, why are they special and more so to people who have actually paid in to watch the game?
Surely a step in the right direction if this is too much for them is to allow a nominated person on the bench for each team to hear what the tv commentator can hear? At least then teams, managers and coaches, who might still not agree with a decision, know how it came about?
This would instantly stop discussions between referees and VAR in Scotland beginning with,
‘Give those Fenians nothing!’
Collum has watched Dickinson, Beaton and McLean influence outcomes of games on a regular basis all in one teams favour over the last weeks. Collum knows these guys and where their allegiance lies , he needs to pick his battles carefully.
Alan Muir was removed for his shenanigan’s on VAR at Easter Road.
Beaton is in Muir territory with that intervention and Celtic need to demand the red card is rescinded. They also need to question the SFA for a full explanation of the decision and a trend of decisions benefitting one team. Ignore the knuckle draggers in the media — it’s dying on its feet.
I will be surprised if they appeal the Red card as it will meaning Nicholson raising his head above the parapet — status quo please.
Sadly, this team doesn’t have the physicality in midfield to win the league and needs reinforcements up front. Carter Vickers hasn’t been replaced and Tierney …need Sarrachi back soon or another LB.
With a few days left it looks like the Board have shafted MON.
Hard to believe Desmond would do that to a Celtic legend —- hope am wrong.
67ECW
I think Motherwell might have a strong say in things.
They have rangers in mid Feb when we have an easier Home tie with Livingston I think. Hearts host Hibs around them too.
If we can win our next 2 v Falkirk and Aberdeen away then the week mentioned above could be the big one. Dropped points by those 2 brings us right in the frame and they then play each other when we go to Killie the next week. We could be top by the time we go to Ibrox.
We did take issue re Beaton previously and things changed for a bit. He is more sleekit and has room to influence behind the VAR mask.
I really do hope we make representations. It certainly has influenced how the Huns are officiated this past 10 weeks or so.
I know many folks on here have no time for PL but he was not someone who held back in dialogue with SFA when things were being officiated against us. I do think someone needs to own this but not sure MN has the clout.
Bada
Are you hearing anything from your sources about players in and out?
Celtic being linked with another couple of loan signings this week (I agree with loans with option to buy btw), one of which is a goalie.
How very Celtic. Our midfield is crying out for reinforcements and we’re looking to prioritise yet another sub goalie to sit in the stands. Utterly, utterly futile.
BRING IN AT LEAST ONE QUALITY MIDFIELDER TO HELP CALMAC YOU MUGS!
B78
No he does not. Not even close to the same heft. Different universe.
Venue:
Tynecastle Park
Attendance:
18,859
The Long Wait Is Over
What had the biggest negative impact on our season – the loss to Kairat or the appointment of Nancy?
Either one on its own would scupper most seasons.
———
Unfortunately, we’re well accustomed to bombing out of CL qualification – in 6 of our 7 recent failures, we won the subsequent league.
So it’s demonstrably untrue to say that Kairat derailed our league season.
Without any shadow of doubt, the worst managerial appointment in the Club’s history had a far greater impact on our league season.
Monday club in full swing chez Brazen.
12 League points dropped under Nancy, a disaster of an appointment and heads need to roll more than they have for that.
dessybhoy on 26th January 2026 4:30 pm
12 League points dropped under Nancy, a disaster of an appointment and heads need to roll more than they have for that
____
They include two six pointers v the Huns and the minis. If we’d won those 4 games, under Martin, we’d be well ahead. Anyway, still time to salvage the season 🤞
dessybhoy on 26th January 2026 4:30 pm
12 League points dropped under Nancy, a disaster of an appointment and heads need to roll more than they have for that.
*they will but not right away, I have mentioned the scheidt and ICT disasters when heads did roll and after the latter right away but that was on the football side, we even won a LC after that but in the boardroom it was during the close season and one of the main proponents of this was the recently retired, at the time, Bunnet, DD is nae mug and I have no doubt that he is making changes as we speak.
Besiktas take up the option to buy Tammy Abraham for €13m after a season there on loan, sell him same day for €22m.
Buying Oh from Genk for €12m
I think Celtic have asked for clarification/reasoning re Trusty,s red card!
It’s goal scorers we need , not sprinters .
TT