Mikey Johnston helped Celtic bring down the curtain on an eighth successive Ladbrokes Premiership title-winning season with a double in a 2-1 win over Hearts at Parkhead.
With a view to next week’s William Hill Scottish Cup final between the two clubs at Hampden Park – where a Hoops victory will secure an unprecedented domestic ‘treble treble’ – both sides were much-changed for the final day of the season.
Amid a celebratory trophy-day atmosphere fringe player Johnston fired in the opener with less than two minutes played but that was cancelled out in the 17th minute by Hearts winger Jake Mulraney.
GETTY
5
Scott Brown and Mikael Lustig lift the title at Parkhead
Neil Lennon replaced Oliver Burke with highly-rated 16-year-old debutant attacker Karamoko Dembele for the start of the second half and he showed plenty of promise, but with six minutes remaining it was Johnston who stepped up with a terrific run and drive to seal the win.
Two unusual but not unexpected line-ups were revealed on the team sheet with the Hoops showing seven changes from last week’s 2-0 defeat at Rangers.
Skipper Scott Brown, Mikael Lustig, Odsonne Edouard, Tom Rogic, Jonny Hayes, Kieran Tierney and James Forrest were all left out, mostly with niggles, with Callum McGregor and Jozo Simunovic on the bench.
Youngster Anthony Ralston and Ewan Henderson and Jeremy Toljan and Nir Bitton were given rare starts.
GETTY
5
Mikey Johnston of Celtic celebrates with Anthony Ralston
Craig Levein made nine changes as he gave 16-year-old left-back Aaron Hickey his first start.
Skipper Christophe Berra, Bobby Burns, Steven MacLean and Harry Cochrane were rested with the Jambos boss hoping Peter Haring, Arnaud Djoum and burly striker Uche Ikpeazu are fit for Hampden.
The champions were given a much-appreciated guard of honour by Hearts before the game at the request of the visitors.
There was then a minute’s applause before the game in tribute to Lisbon Lion Stevie Chalmers who died recently.
GETTY
5
Martin Compston of Line of Duty went to watch the champions
GETTY
5
Jake Mulraney of Hearts celebrates after getting onto the scoresheet
Winger Johnston got the home side off to a great start when he worked a one-two with Henderson and slammed the ball past Zdenek Zlamal from eight yards out.
Mulraney screwed a shot wide a minute later at the other end but was much more accurate with his leveller, after Hoops keeper Scott Bain was slack with a pass.
Sean Clare took possession and rolled the ball to the former Inverness player who curled the ball past the back-tracking Bain and into the top corner.
Zlamal made a terrific save from a Johnston drive early in the second half before Dembele flashed a 25-yard drive just wide, drawing huge applause from the Hoops fans before having another effort saved by the Tynecastle keeper.
GETTY
5
Karamoko Dembele had an instant impact for Celtic
LATEST SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP NEWS
Gossip
Celtic eyeing up another Premier League target available for free
dan's the man
Celtic and Rangers backed to sign 67-goal Liverpool ace in free transfer
CRIMINAL MATTER
Celtic begin probe into leak of document allegedly revealing transfer plans
The Boss
Celtic confirm Neil Lennon is the new permanent manager
Celtic, captained by Scott Sinclair, piled on the pressure and there was a penalty claim in the 80th minute when defender Kristoffer Ajer’s drive following a long run was blocked by Conor Shaughnessy but referee Craig Thomson was unimpressed.
However, the home fans were impressed when Johnston played a one-two with substitute McGregor, on for Henderson, and drove towards the Jambos goal before firing low past Zlamal and in off the post from the edge of the box for the winner.
Part two of the contest will take place at Hampden next week where the stakes will be much higher.
Welcome to the Evening Standard's LIVE blog dedicated to the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip. Arsenal will resist any offers for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with Chinese clubs interested
Transfer news and football gossip: Barcelona to | SportSpyder
Some Tottenham fans were left convinced that Ajax's goal should have been ruled out for offside. Donny van de Beek put the Dutch side 1-0 up after 15 minutes in the Champions League semi-final when he finished off a brilliant move.
Champions League: Donny Van de Beek gives Ajax edge over
Liverpool attacker Harry Wilson reportedly wants to leave the Reds on a permanent deal this summer.. The 22-year-old spent the 2018-19 campaign on loan with Derby County, scoring 18 times and
Liverpool news: Harry Wilson sparks transfer scramble after
Christian Eriksen transfer: Daniel Levy makes Tottenham's stance clear to Real Madrid. Spurs chief Levy met with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in the Spanish capital on Friday night
Tottenham transfer news LIVE: Deal close for PSV winger
Cardiff City suffered a near fatal blow in their bid for Premier League survival following a 1-0 defeat to already-relegated Fulham. The Bluebirds travelled to Craven Cottage needing a win but went down to a late Ryan Babel stunner, leaving them four points adrift from safety with just two games to play.
Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Team News - Player Ratings - Match Highlights Match: Valencia v Arsenal Stadium: Mestalla Stadium, Valencia Kick-Off (UK Time): 20:00 09/05/2019. Arsenal hold a 3-1 lead from the first leg of the Europa League semi-final against Valencia and are favourites to see out the tie in Spain, but nothing is done yet - as we've all seen in the last two nights, comebacks are the new normal.
Valencia vs Arsenal betting tips: Europa League preview
In the summer transfer window, Klopp made a number of high profile signings including midfielders Naby Keïta and Fabinho, forward Xherdan Shaqiri and goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Liverpool started the 2018-19 season with their best league start in the club's 126 year history, winning all of their first six matches.
As it happened: Southampton vs Liverpool Premier League
"One female steward sustained an injury to her nose during the incident and investigations are under way to establish whether any assault took place." Something I wrote earlier today (Sunday March 2019) about the Newcastle United fans being arrested at Bournemouth:
Football's authorities to investigate after Newcastle fans
on the cards? The Whites have all but missed out on automatic promotion to the Premier League, so must instead face the play-offs Marcelo Bielsa has cast doubt on his future as Leeds manager by refusing to confirm whether he will remain in charge of the Elland Road club should their promotion bid fail.
Marcelo Bielsa refuses to confirm whether he will remain at
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock wants to help the club find his successor after agreeing to remain with the Bluebirds for another season. Warnock will see out the final year of his contract in the
Neil Warnock: Etheridge says Cardiff players want boss to
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has called for the Chelsea fans who racially abused Mohamed Salah to be given lifetime bans and branded their actions 'disgusting'. racist abuse directed at
Chelsea condemn fans for racist Salah chants - msn.com
Exclusive: Manchester City players to share £15 million bonus
League One final day: Luton beat Barnsley to title, Southend
Fantasy Football Tips: Which players to buy, axe and captain for Gameweek 8? WHO should you transfer in and out of your Fantasy Premier League team ahead of Gameweek 8? By James Phillips
No comments:
Post a Comment