Huge day for Celtic as rivals bottle it at home to Hearts

By Euan Davidson

October 16, 2021

As Celtic got three points from Fir Park, attentions turned to Ibrox, where Rangers were taking on this season’s form team, Hearts.

And Celtic fans got exactly what they wanted.

Rangers, who like Celtic haven’t been at their best in the early periods of 21-22, dropped two points to the on-song Jambos.

John Lundstram opened the scoring on the 40 minute mark, but it wasn’t enough to prevent ex-Livi man Craig Halkett from securing a vital point for the Edinburgh side.

In a game Rangers dominated, taking 27 shots [FotMob], it’ll be a sore one for Steven Gerrard’s men. Hearts, though, plugged away and their resurgence under Robbie Neilson continues unimpeded.

It was Hearts that did the damage on the opening day of the season for Celtic. Slack defending and poor responses to set piece were the undoing of a very different-looking Bhoys team.

It means that in their two opening meetings with Celtic and Rangers, Hearts have taken points off both.

Celtic fans will be rejoicing after a fine day of results around Scotland. It means the Bhoys climb up to 4th, just four points from the summit of the table [BBC].

Rangers are for the taking in a crucial season of transition for Celtic

Yes, they’ve already beaten us this season. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. But this isn’t the Rangers team who looked so formidable last season. Just like Celtic, they’ve had real struggles getting going this season.

However, without much turnover, and the same players who won them the title last season, it’s rather curious form. Celtic have the excuse of being in a hugely transitional year.

But the signs for Celtic seem better just now. Two away wins on the bounce, and a talented team that’s starting to gel under new manager Ange Postecoglou.

The defence is also improving, keeping a clean sheet against a Motherwell side who’ve had no trouble finding the net thus far.

What happens between now and the next Glasgow Derby on the 2nd of January is so crucial. On current form, it looks like it could be the kind of game that can set the tone for the rest of the 21-22 campaign.

That’s for later. For now, it’s a fine day’s work for the Celtic supporters.

Read more: Ange decision vindicated as Tom Rogic impresses for Celtic vs Motherwell