Premiership giants Celtic made history tonight after securing what was their 12th consecutive domestic trophy, with a 4-3 penalty shootout win against Championship side Hearts. The match ended 3-3 after extra time, as neither team was seemingly unwilling to give up the title. Celtic went into half-time with a two-goal leads thanks to Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard, before Hearts came back in the second half. Leigh Griffiths then scored what seemed like the winner in the first-half of stoppage time, but right on cue, Hearts equalised once again. Some heroics from Conor Hazard in the penalty shootout ensured that Neil Lennon’s night didn’t end on a sour note.
Here Are The Celtic Player Ratings Vs Hearts:
Celtic Player Ratings Vs Hearts
Conor Hazard – 6.5
The young goalkeeper had a couple of extremely questionable moments in between the sticks, but he stepped up when it mattered with two pivotal penalty saves in the shootout.
Kristoffer Ajer – 6
The young defender started the game in the full-back role, having come into the team in place of Frimpong. Played some good crosses early on and defended decently after moving central too.
Christopher Jullien – 5
The Frenchman’s display was nothing to write home about, but it must be conceded that he looked a lot sharper than Shane Duffy. Made a number of silly errors to put Celtic in a tight spot.
Shane Duffy – 4.5
The big Irishman’s display in the core of the back-line can only be described as pathetic. Multiple horror moments and should’ve dealt with crosses into the area much better.
Greg Taylor – 5.5
The speedster was unable to create the impact he was hoping for in the final third as he failed to clear the first man while crossing on numerous occasions. Didn’t defend well either.
Scott Brown – 6
The skipper started the game looking extremely dominant, as his finesse and experience were both apparent to see. Fizzled out of the game in the second half and looked like a spectator.
Callum McGregor – 5.5
The midfielder didn’t offer anywhere near enough creativity in the middle of the park as he was passive for a majority of the fixture. Calm in possession but needs to influence more.
Ryan Christie – 6
The attacker stepped up when it mattered and scored a quite sensational goal to put the Hoops in front in the first-half. Struggled to really get into the game after that point though.
David Turnbull – 5.5
The summer signing was unable to impact the game in the manner that he would’ve liked. Got on the ball regularly but wasn’t able to produce the required quality in the final third of the pitch.
Mohamed Elyounoussi – 6
The Norwegian winger was rather neat and tidy with his passing, but he didn’t offer the drive or energy that was required in the final third. Unable to have any kind of impact though.
Odsonne Edouard – 5
The Frenchman stepped up to score a penalty to put Celtic in a comfortable position, and he did it with a cheeky panenka as well. Was poor apart from that as he offered very little in attack.
Substitutes
Tom Rogic – 6
The attacker tried to get forward and impact the game in whatever manner he could, and it must be conceded that his performance was a lot better than some of the other Celtic forwards.
Diego Laxalt – 6.5
The Uruguayan, despite not entering the pitch until the final ten minutes of the ninety, was their best player over the course of the tie. Made some good forward runs and tried to impact too.
Jeremie Frimpong – 5.5
The youngster didn’t have the impact that Lennon would’ve been hoping for when he threw him on. Tried to get forward but to no real effect in the final third of the pitch.
Michael Johnston – 5.5
Offered very little until the end of extra time, but stepped up when it mattered and scored an important penalty during the shootout.
Leigh Griffiths – 6
Despite scoring what looked like the winner, Hearts came back with an equaliser in the second half of extra time. Scored his penalty in composed fashion though.
Ismaila Soro – NA
Didn’t have time to make an impact.
