Heartbreak as Neilson’s men so close to cup glory
A crazy cup final to end a crazy year b u t n o t q u i t e t h e c r a z y o u t c o me Hearts desired. A titanic display from the Edinburgh club ended in agony with a 4-3 penalty-shootout loss as Celtic claimed a quadruple treble.
Hearts were 2-0 down and 3-2 down but fought back to belie their Championship status and take this Christmas Scottish Cup final to penalties. Celtic goalkeeper Conor Hazard – unconvincing during the previous 120 minutes – unwrapped timely gifts with saves from Stephen Kingsley and Craig Wighton to win the trophy.
His opposite number Craig Gordon stopped Ryan Christie’s attempt but the shooutout ended 4-3 to Celtic. Their celebrations underlined the tension at making history with a fourth treble in a row, although captain Scott Brown’s attempts to goad his opponents at the end were unnecessary.
Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard had Celtic 2-0 ahead and seemingly cruising at half-time. However, Liam Boyce and Kingsley brought the score level as Hearts fought back after the break. Substitute Leigh Griffiths put the Glasgow club 3-2 ahead in extra-time before Josh Ginnelly struck another equaliser.
It was the first time since 1910 that any side had come back from 2-0 down in a Scottish Cup final, but the day ended in heartbreak for Robbie Neilson and his players. Neil Lennon and Celtic celebrated their unprecedented achievement to continue their domestic domination.
The saddest element of this final was that no supporters were there to witness such an enthralling encounter. An empty Hampden is akin to a cavern waiting to be filled with noise and celebration. Sadly, Covid 19 put paid to that months ago. It brought death, illness and suffering for millions across the globe.
Hearts’ residual anger from their enforced relegation to Scotland’s second tier was a major motivation for knocking Hibs out in the semi-final of this tournament back in October. On the same day, they learned of the death of former captain Marius Zaliukas. The No.26 printed on their players’ shorts for this final was in his honour.
Neilson was attempting to become the first man ever to win the Scottish Cup as a Hearts player and manager. Lennon was also chasing immortality in the shape of a fourth successive domestic clean sweep. Neilson sprung a surprise with a 3-5-2 starting formation against Lennon’s 4-2-3-1. However, that back three quickly became a back five as the Glasgow side controlled the early possession.
Celtic complained that Steven Naismith stamped on Brown during a scuffle on 18 minutes, which may lead to retrospective disciplinary action against the Hearts captain. Seconds later, the Parkhead side scored first. Christie collected a loose ball 20 yards from goal. The Scotland internationalist then angled a perfect curling finish high into Gordon’s top corner with his left foot.
Hearts’ gameplan had been conservative and within ten minutes they conceded again. When Shane Duffy’s header from a corner struck Christophe Berra’s flailing arm, referee John Beaton had no hesitation pointing to the penalty spot. Edouard stepped up to clip a Panenka penalty past the diving Gordon and secure a two-goal cushion for his team. Gordon responded by throwing the ball at his former teammate in disgust. The task facing Hearts was mountainous and their approach needed to change.
Neilson knew his team had to assert themselves far better and they scored within three minutes of the restart. Andy Halliday curled a cross to the back post, where Boyce headed the ball against the balance of Hazard and into the net. That raised Capital spirits but Gordon still had to thwart Mohamed Elyounoussi at his near post. Neilson introduced Ginnelly as a substitute and the Englishman brought further impetus.
A d e fe n s ive c o l li s io n invo l v i ng Duffy and Christopher Jullien gifted Ginnelly possession 35 yards out. He sprinted off and dispatched a shot early which Hazard palmed away. Hearts were now playing with better belief and looked an altogether different proposition. Celtic, by contrast, were rattled. The Naismith-brown duel continued at every corner and setpiece. There were a number of those as Hearts pressed and eventually forced an equaliser.
Ginnelly’s corner was missed by
Hazard and Kingsley headed the ball goalwards at the back post. David Turnbull cleared as every Hearts employee inside Hampden seemed to raise hands in unison claiming the ball had crossed the line.
Eventually referee Beaton blew his whistle, pointing to his watch to indicate technology had confirmed a goal before the clearance. A comeback which looked unlikely just 20 minutes previously placed this Scottish Cup final in the balance once again.
Celtic struck at the midway point in extra-time to take a 3-2 lead. Brown headed a corner goalwards and, after the ball rebounded off Gordon’s leg, substitute Griffiths was in place to score. Still Hearts refused to relent. In the 112th minute, they restorted parity once more. Lee’s free-kick was missed again by Hazard and Kingsley – again at the back post – headed across goal for Ginnelly to blast in from close range. Then came penalties. Naismith, Michael Smith and Lee scored for Hearts but Hazard saved from Kingsley and Wighton. Griffiths and Callum Mcgregor converted for Celtic before Gordon saved from Christie. Mikey Johnston and Kris Ajer struck Celtic’s last two to win the cup.