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Celtic sensation as Hearts march on |
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Hearts produced a sensational performance to defeat Celtic at Parkhead this evening to move into the semi-finals of the CIS Insurance Cup. Andrius Velicka was the hero, netting twice in the last 13 minutes to send 700 Hearts fans into delirium in Glasgow.
The Jambos made two changes to the side that lost to Kilmarnock at the weekend, with Elliot and Ksanavicius coming in for the Nade and Makela.
Hearts lined up with Andrew Driver taking up position on the right and Ksanavicius on the left. It was imperative that Hearts made a strong start and that's just what they did.
Inside the first minute a bold run by Ksanavicius saw him bear down on goal and a last ditch tackle from John Kennedy prevented the winger from pulling the trigger. There were shouts for a penalty but referee Kenny Clark waved play on. A few minutes later when Ksanavicius again went down in the box he was booked for simulation.
Celtic found success in the opening 15 minutes through Aiden McGeady down the wing. On two occasions he roared down the left hand side and curled a shot into the Celtic box, with one going wide and the second not finding another Celtic body in the box.
Although it wasn't a particularly lively start by either side there were certainly opportunities for both teams to open the scoring.
Calum Elliot was next for Hearts with a shot across goal. Hearts looked to be settled into their game and although there were scares, they were dealt with well, on more then one instance through captain Christophe Berra.
Having picked up a yellow card so early in the match Ksanavicius had to keep a low profile but instead it seemed the to have the opposite effect.
The Lithuanian and Celtic's Scott Brown tussled throughout much of the first half and during one flashpoint Brown seemed to strike Ksanavicius across the face with his arm. Kenny Clark did not see this and Brown could think himself lucky that he wasn't disciplined in the manner that Christian Nade was against Kilmarnock.
On 29 minutes Scott McDonald showed just the kind of blistering form that has seen him rack up the goals this season, when he raced down the wing and set up what seemed certain to be a goal, the Australian only managing to fire his shot high over Basso's bar.
The best chance of the game fell to Celtic in the dying minutes of the half. A Hartley free kick was laid into the path of Scott Brown who out of nowhere unleashed a ferocious dipping shot from just outside the box, it looked to have opened the scoring but for Basso who made a great save to tip the top over the bar.
Celtic started the livelier of the two sides in the second period and Hearts were forced to defend with almost no reply for the opening 10 minutes. Sno had the best the best chance to put Celtic ahead but rifled his shot high from six yards out.
As time ticked on Hearts edged more and more into the match and found most creativity and success through Andrew Driver. An initial pass from the Engilshman set up Calum Elliot who hit a great effort on the turn. Boruc was well placed and extinguished the danger. The Celtic Park crowd voiced their displeasure at their team's missed chances and Hearts sensed that the game was turning.
Driver again found himself with space shortly after and raced down the pitch virtually unchallenged he pulled the trigger but, on his less favoured right foot, the shot went wide.
It was to be Driver who eventually proved the undoing of Celtic's defence. On 75 minutes a Palazuelos pass found the Englishman in space on the wing and as Driver raced with the ball down the line the entire Celtic main stand screamed that it had gone out of play, but there no whistle.
Driver played on to the byline, cut the ball back for Andrius Velicka, who picked his spot and fired into Boruc's bottom corner. 1-0 Hearts.
Celtic offered a fast reply, Sno again having the perfect opportunity to level the match but this time fired high from 14 yards out.
And Hearts had not finished scoring, you know. Ksanavicius made a piercing run down the wing and found Velicka just outside the box. The Lithuanian found time to a rocket a bullet past Boruc into the top corner.
Hearts were demolished the last time they travelled to Parkhead this time the Jambos have had the last laugh and go marching onto claim a semi final place which had seemed impossible last Saturday after defeat to Kilmarnock.
Celtic: Boruc; Caldwell, Kennedy, McManus, Naylor (Sno 45); Hartley, McGeady, Donati, Brown; McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Killen 70). Subs not used: Brown, Jarosik, O'Brien.
Hearts: Basso; Neilson, Tall, Berra, Goncalves; Driver, Palazuelos, Zaliukas (Jonsson 62), Stewart, Ksnavicius (Mikoliunas 88); Elliot (Velicka 71). Subs not used: Kurskis, Wallace.
Referee: Kenny Clark
Top man: Anthony Basso
