Celtic 3 - 2 Hearts RECAP: Jam Tarts rally but exit the League Cup
It is a competition which hasn’t been kind to the Tynecastle Park side. Since winning the League Cup in 1962, the club have reached just two finals and not won either game.
To reach the next round, with Rangers, Dundee, Dundee United and Livingston already qualified, Hearts will need to win a game at Celtic Park for the first time since 2009 when a Michael Stewart penalty gave the team a 1-0 win in the League Cup.
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Hide AdHearts have already defeated Celtic already this season in the cinch Premiership opener but Ange Postecoglou’s men seem to have found their feet in the last couple of weeks winning their last three, scoring 13 in the process.
We will have live coverage from Celtic Park throughout the afternoon with all the latest updates, plus reaction and analysis.
Celtic v Hearts LIVE: Updates, reaction and analysis from Celtic Park
Key Events
- Kick-off 3pm
- Team news 1.45pm
- Live on Premier Sports
Celtic continue their pressure
Welsh is the next to go close. He made a run to the front post and stooped to meet a corner but the ball zipped over Gordon’s bar.
Edouard booked
The Celtic striker is booked for falling under very little pressure from John Souttar.
Rogic is next up
Rogic gets possession goal side of the midfield and uses his quick feet to create space for a shot but his effort was off target.
Edouard goes close
Baningime had his pocket picked in midfield with Odsonne Edouard shooting just wide from the edge of the box.
Hearts survive again
Celtic looked like they were about to open the scoring through Kyogo once more. However, the Japanese forward’s shot hit team-mate Tom Rogic as it headed towards the goal.
Gordon save
Celtic get through the Hearts rearguard with Kyogo who tries to slide a shot into the far corner but Gordon does well to get down low and push away.
Celtic pressure
As expected, Celtic have started on the front foot. They have looked to make their way down the Hearts left with Anthony Ralston firing in a few dangerous crosses.
Hearts game plan
With Kingsley replacing Ginnelly, Neilson looks to be going for a 3-5-2 with a robust central three of Andy Halliday, Peter Haring and Beni Baningime.
Gary Mackay-Steven will play alongside Liam Boyce and offer the team a direct counter-attacking threat.
Ange Postecoglou has named an incredibly attacking team with Callum McGregor the most defensive of the front six with Kyogo Furuhashi and Odsonne Edouard up front with James Forrest.
It will be important for Boyce and GMS to be aware of McGregor’s movement and the possibility of the two full-backs drifting into central areas.
It may not be pretty or exciting but allowing the centre-backs possession, dropping off, maintaining a shape and frustrating the home support will allow the team to build into the game.
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