SPL Thursday December 26th 2002

Celtic 4

Hearts 2

0:1 de Vries (3); 1:1 Hartson (21); 2:1 Hartson (44); 2:2 de Vries (67); 3:2 Hartson (68); 4:2 larsson (72)

Att: 58,480

MIB: Pooh Dallas

Celtic: Douglas; Valgaeren, Balde, Laursen; Agathe, Sutton, Lambert, Petrov, Thompson; Hartson, Larsson

Merry Christmas from the Celtic defence. Here, have some goals.

Douglas out, Hedman in, and confusion all round in the defence. Eighteen months ago Craig Levein got pelters in the NTV diary for sending a team out at Celtic Park to defend a 1:0 deficit. No such caution this time. Hearts were at our throats (sometimes literally) from the first minute.

They took the lead after Celtic allowed a ball to be played down the right with no challenge. De Vries got between Joos and Laursen to get his header in. A sieve supreme.

This was a highly entertaining game because both teams attacked and neither side seemed too bothered about defending; in fact, neither team looked as if they knew how to defend.

The Hoops equalised with a Hartson header after some Sieve-esque defending from Hearts. But this was just the warm up. The Jambos then unveiled their new offside plan, which might need some work in the 'leaving a large Welsh striker alone but onside' department. Hartson had so much time he even had a couple of touches after he'd gone round the goalie.

The second half was just as enjoyable. Hearts weren't too keen on leaving with nothing, and Celtic were certainly having to work for the points. Hearts duly equalised in somewhat odd circumstances. News came through that Motherwell had taken the lead against Rangers. A huge cheer went round the stadium and the players seemed to be distracted. Next thing you know, De Vries is one on one with Hedman, and we're not in the lead any more. AAGHH!

But just when we thought that we could be about to blow the chance of closing the gap John Hartson ran on to a lofted ball and crashed a fantastic first time volley into the net. Bedlam in the stadium.

Hearts pushed up to try and equalise again, but they were caught at the back by Henke who wrapped up the points.

One of the best games this season