Celtic 5-0 Hearts was the scoreline at Celtic Park last night, with the main story being the fact that the Hoops went 10 points clear at the top.
However, for our opponents, it’s fair to say that last night was a bigger blow than even they would’ve perhaps expected. The margin of defeat has meant that they’re now level with Hamilton Academical at the bottom of the Premiership on goal-difference, with Accies still one point ahead.
Hearts boss Daniel Stendel (Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Even though not many would’ve predicted Hearts to have bagged something at Parkhead, it was still a bit of a bruising for them. It also doesn’t help the confidence levels at Tynecastle heading into a now or never stage of the campaign.
And it’s fair to say that sections of the Jambos support weren’t too pleased with events last night. Here’s a quick look at the opinions of some of the supporters from the other side:
That’s enough for tonight hearts
— ً (@StendeI) February 12, 2020
Sick of hearing “OK, this is not our game.” What is “our game?” Sounds more like Levein every week. We have a naive manager who just isn’t up to the task. Fans are delusional if they think he is the answer. What’s he done more than Levein?
— Graeme R.Clark (@graemeclark86) February 13, 2020
More goals – and points – cost by @ElgatoPereira1 – the worst keeper I have ever seen in maroon. Get him back down the road for God’s sake. Bobby Z must start on Saturday,
— stuartamdouglas (@stuartamdouglas) February 13, 2020
I said it a year and half ago and its still a shambles
— Herz von midlothian (@Scott93440834) February 13, 2020
Anyone who thinks this is just down to the the keeper is delusional, that was terrible all over the park, he probably stopped it from being double figures!!!
— Coco D (@CocoD25426283) February 13, 2020
What an idiot stendal is, plays the worst goalkeeper ever and he goes for a win, bang goes our goal difference. We could really live to regret that #hhgh #hmfc
— Smithy (@DavSmidy) February 13, 2020
Disgrace….just remember Hamilton went to Celtic Park a few weeks back and got beat 2-1 by a last minute winner. We get hammered every game we go there! Stendel’s approach is correct, but must re-think as these players can’t play high press! We go again Saturday MUST 3 points!
— Elliot Smith (@ellsmith1203) February 12, 2020
We deserve to be in the championship don’t think we will come back up for a few seasons complete joke
— barry (@barry30768612) February 13, 2020
Hearts deserve credit for Parkhead approach
Hearts were hammered and there’s no denying that. However, fair play to them for actually trying to come out and make a game of it.
For long spells in the first half they really looked to get at the likes of Christopher Jullien and Greg Taylor. Using the strength of Liam Boyce and Steven Naismith worked well at times, and they even had some chances too.
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Jamie Walker and Naismith both had decent snap-shots in the first 45. Granted, they crumbled in the second when the Hoops overpowered them, but so have many teams in Scotland this season.
Celtic boss Neil Lennon (Paul Ursachi/MB Media/Getty Images)
It’s brilliant to see Celtic run over anyone at any venue. However, when teams come to Parkhead and let us know we’re in a game, it adds a bit of extra spice to it. Hearts did that for the first 45 last night. It was a relief to see big Jullien tower home goal number two from the corner. Stendel, at the very least, can take solace from that.
Even though we have our own title charge to be concerned with, this relegation battle looks immensely intriguing this season. Hearts travel to Hamilton at the weekend in what looks like an old-fashioned six-pointer.
As for Celtic, we stroll on with confidence to Pittodrie on Sunday for another tough test. If the Dons put up the same fight that Hearts did in the first 45 last night, we’ll need to perform to a high level to get the win.