Celtic 1-2 Hearts: Player ratings, Jambos bubble not burst, Braga, McEntee, "Sacked in the morning"

Hearts inflicted Celtic’s first Premiership defeat of the season at Celtic Park to restore their points advantage atop the league table. Claudio Braga and Oisin McEntee scored either side of the interval to reward a determined and professional Hearts performance - and hand new Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy a defeat on his debut. Although the hosts controlled possession, their creative influences were largely stifled by the excellent visitors.

Hearts sprung intelligent counter-attacks, especially in the second half, and defended in numbers as the game progressed. Once 2-0 ahead, they never really looked like being reined back. Celtic scored late on through Kieran Tierney that was in the third minute of stoppage-time. The home team did plenty probing although lacked the quality to break down the Tynecastle side. Hearts have been told their bubble has burst in recent weeks after winning only one of their previous six games. This, however, was a result which will make the entire country sit up and take notice again. It also ended Celtic’s run of five straight victories in all competitions.

Travelling fans acclaimed their team at the final whistle, recognising the magnitude of the result - plus the fact their team had handed a defeat on the day their new manager was unveiled. Hearts arrived in Glasgow level with Celtic on 32 points at the Premiership summit but with a better goal difference. Head coach Derek McInnes made four changes, recalling Michael Steinwender, Craig Halkett, Oisin McEntee and Braga. McEntee lined up in midfield in a fluid 4-2-3-1 system, while Nancy took the opportunity to introduce his favoured 3-4-3 formation immediately.

With the Green Brigade’s Celtic Park ban extended due to safety concerns, there was again a notable empty section in the corner of the ground for this fixture. Banners calling for the board’s removal were plentiful. Nancy was announced and emerged from the tunnel to a pre-match round of applause. His team started assertively and missed early scoring chances through Daizen Maeda as they dominated the opening exchanges. Hearts struggled to keep possession and were being pressed relentlessly whenever they had the ball.

Harry Milne was cautioned for pulling back Hyunjun Yang and, as a result, will now miss Hearts’ Premiership game against Rangers later this month through suspension. This fixture, though, looked to be a case of when, not if, Celtic would open the scoring due to the hosts’ control. That notion remained present until the dying moments of the first half when Hearts forced an unexpected breakthrough.

Lawrence Shankland’s right-sided cross was cleared by Liam Scales and, as Alexandros Kyziridis headed it back into the danger zone, the Celtic defence stopped expected an offside flag against Braga and Shankland. It didn’t come, the ball broke for Milne, he scuffed a shot and the ball fell for Braga to touch, turn and strike a low finish into the net with Kasper Schmeichel static.

Replays proved Arne Engels was playing opponents onside and the goal was confirmed, much to the delight of the pocket of travelling fans. The home supporters’ frustration grew as some in the main stand became irate into the second half. Nancy made substitutions to freshen his team in search of an equaliser, but his team looked less convincing as this game progressed. On 64 minutes, Hearts scored a fine goal when McEntee headed Milne’s deep corner down into the net past the diving Schmeichel.

“Sacked in the morning” was the sarcastic chant from Hearts supporters towards Nancy. The visitors were now causing frequent problems with repeated counter-attacks which Celtic weren’t able to cope with. McInnes switched Hearts to a five-man defence in order to hold the 2-0 advantage and see this game out. Celtic’s passing became more wayward as fans’ groans of exasperation emanated from the stands. It was all playing into Hearts’ hands nicely.

The Edinburgh side finished the afternoon with six defenders on the field, plus two defensive midfielders. Alexander Schwolow produced a fine reaction block to stop Engels’ header from Tierney’s 87th-minute cross. Reo Hatate lashed the rebound off the crossbar, and Celtic did pull one goal back with Tierney’s powerful drive in stoppage-time. There wasn’t time to force an equaliser as Hearts closed out the game successfully for a mammoth three points.

Their followers enjoyed an impromptu party inside the ground at full-time, aided by Ryan McGowan’s appearance after working as a media guest. It was a day to remember for all connected with Tynecastle, and an idea early Christmas present into the bargain.

Here are the Hearts player ratings from Celtic Park: