Hearts players are astonishingly still moaning about Kyogo goal at Celtic Park

By Euan Davidson

January 26, 2022

Ahead of Celtic visiting Tynecastle tonight, Hearts players are still moaning about the Kyogo “offside” at Celtic Park.

Despite being behind Ralston when the defender crossed in, Kyogo was met with ire for having the audacity to score that night. It led to some comical interpretations of the offside rule in the subsequent days. And, some hilarious overreaction from people associated with Hearts.

Former chairman Leslie Deans, in a break from reality, suggested that the game should be replayed, or Hearts given the three points.

Truly small-time stuff, and something that VAR would’ve easily dealt with at the time. However, the Jambos are still using it as motivation, or a sob story, depending on your perspective.

Craig Halkett, one of the defenders who failed to defend Kyogo effectively, has spoken about the incident in the run-up to tonight’s game. In the Scottish Daily Mail [print edition, 26/1, p.77], Halkett said: “We believe we have enough quality to try to win these games and play the best we can.

“In that last game against Celtic, we felt it was a sore one, losing to the offside goal. We had a number of chances ourselves.

“You’re hurting at the time but you do take confidence from how the game went and it’s something we will take into this one. Of course it’s going to be really tough against Celtic. It will be a tight game but it’s one we are looking forward to.”

Hearts still feel aggrieved by Celtic Park incident

Staggering stuff.

If you want to go tit-for-tat momentarily, we have one of these, too. Liel Abada had a perfectly good goal ruled out against Hearts on opening day. It was another proud moment for SFA referees, in a season of triumphs.

If Hearts were the better team that night, they’d have won. They’d have taken some of their chances. For one thing, their defending of Kyogo, who waltzed past with the Jambos defenders undetected, should’ve been better.

It’s frustrating that the collective understanding of that goal is that it was “offside”. We can argue the practicalities of it for days if you like. However, it’s not as if Celtic weren’t punished by poor officiating at Tynecastle. These things happen – although Kyogo wasn’t offside, and the goal should’ve counted.

The difference between Celtic and Hearts – well, where do you start – we haven’t moaned about that disallowed Abada goal ever since opening day. Because that’d be incredibly small-time.

This should serve as extra motivation for the Bhoys tonight. Put a few past them that they can’t possibly debate or argue with.

That should end the argument for a while at least.

Read more: What new Celtic signing has been told to expect from Hearts at Tynecastle