Celtic went two points clear at the top of the SPFL Premiership with a 2-0 win over Hearts.
A first half goal from Kyogo Furuhashi and a stoppage time own goal settled the issue but it was a largely flat performance with Ange Postecoglou opening up with the same Starting XI for the third match running.
Needs to start, give Kyogo a wee go on bench HH
— Paul (@rooneyp1970) August 21, 2022
Giorgos Giakoumakis didn’t get on until the 72nd minute but chased everything down, got a few efforts at goal then forced the second goal off a defender in stoppage time.
Hearts made seven changes from the side that lost 2-1 to Zurich on Thursday but presented the hosts with their toughest challenge of the season.
Ten minutes into the second half Liel Abada and Reo Hatate replaced Daezen Maeda and David Turnbull but the hoops never got going with Hearts growing in confidence.
In the closing minutes Toby Sibbick and Alex Cochrane picked up their second yellow cards with the threat of Giakoumakis forcing an own goal from a Hearts defender with virtually the last touch of the game.
Next Sunday Celtic are away to Dundee United before the fixtures come thick and fast with regular midweek matches including Champions League ties.
3 points that’s all we want it’s only 4 games in can only get better as players get up to total match fittness and new players fitting in to ange playing system well done celtic we look down below us lovely.
Every great manager seems to have their blind spots. With Ange, it is not starting Giakoumakis and the more the fans call for it the more he will resist.. His faith in James Forrest, playing MacGregor in the holding position and letting Rojic go are all mistakes. Having faith in yourself is essential only if coupled with self effacement.
The goal is GGs. He hit it, it came off the defender and went in. Attacker’s goal. Why give it as an OG?
James Forrest can’t get a game and Rogic wanted to leave. Kyogo is brilliant, dropping him when he is scoring is nuts.
A win against Hearts is always a good result. No complaints here!
Who’s Big George? That’d be Giorgos! No need for Anglicisation at Celtic!
Gaikmakos must get a start bring kyoko or maeda on after hour when oppsition tired midfielders cant get back to cover transfer window seems to be on one or two but what player wants to hibe up a chance to play in champion league maybe a greedy one hooe im wrong
Toughest task yet? What game were you watching?
Hearts are terrible!
Yes, a bit flat but fair play: Hearts gave us a game in that second half.
But the quality of the players on the bench at kick-off was impressive.
Might be difficult for Ange to keep all his players happy this season,
but if anyone goes off the boil, there is a ready replacement waiting for their chance.
Drop Kyogo ??? …What planet are people on. The reason defences are tired when subs come on is because of Kyogo and Maeda’ s energy and prolific runs off the ball, and harassment when on it. Some people need to get a grip. Ange is doing grand and we are only 4 games into what will be a hectic season. Rogic left of his own accord. James Forrest …just read his stats. I can guarantee the same critics of James will look back and say he was a great player for Celtic ! Callum McGregor, yep, he may be better going forward, but we don’t have a defensive midfield replacement yet. So gies peace about Ange making mistakes! …unless of course, your managerial record outstrips his ???
Well said Sean when teams see how Ange can change it at any time with the squad he has the brown stuff will start running down their legs it is all about the strong amalgamated squad.
How the f**k is ange making mistakes eh first season league cup and then took the title off the biggest cheats in Scottish football trfc and we wait and see what ange brings home this season and as for scum hearts they done nothing today barr there rat of a manager moaning all because the champions of scotland beat his so called team at paradise and it wasn’t a og as you say.