Match report
VAKOUN ISSOUF BAYO scored twice – albeit somewhat contentiously – on his first start for Celtic as the Parkhead club defeated Hearts 3-1 at home to reclaim top spot in the
Ladbrokes Premiership from Rangers yesterday.
Bayo, a £2 million signing from Dunajska Streda of Slovakia back in January, netted in both halves as Neil Lennon’s side maintained their 100 per cent record in the league in the 2019/20 campaign, although either strike could have been chalked up as an own goal.
The 22-year-old, preferred to Leigh Griffiths in attack for the triple Treble winners, could easily have bagged a hat-trick too, but he headed a James Forrest cross onto the post late on.
The visitors contained their hosts well early in the game without really doing anything of note going forward and Bayo had little chance to justify his selection.
The Ivorian came into the game, however, and did well to connect with a Ryan Christie corner in the 26th minute and force a save from Hearts keeper Joel Pereira with a header.
Bayo, who has struggled to break into the first team at Celtic since joining after picking up a series of injuries, opened the scoring in the 29th minute after Forrest had cut the ball back into the Hearts six-yard box. He outmuscled Christophe Berra and turned the ball beyond Pereira from a few yards out.
Celtic keeper Fraser Forster came out of his penalty area to clear the ball six minutes before half-time and ended up being caught in possession by Loic Damour and then fouling the Hearts midfielder. He was yellow carded by referee Willie Collum for that offence.
But the former England internationalist atoned for his lapse in concentration shortly after that when he saved a longrange Aaron Hickey attempt.
Callum McGregor scored a second for Celtic nine minutes into the second half after being supplied Christie. The midfielder unleashed a powerful low shot from 25 yards out that left Periera with no chance.
Bayo bagged his second on the hour mark after edging ahead of Craig Halkett and diverting a Kristoffer Ajer delivery beyond Pereira with the slightest of touches.
Collum awarded Hearts a penalty when he ruled that Scott Brown had pulled down Sean Clare in his own area with 10 minutes remaining, much to the displeasure of the home support. Conor Washington saw his initial effort saved by Forster, but the Northern Irishman pounced on the rebound to notch a consolation goal for the visitors.