bad_meetz_evil
04-06-2006, 07:33 AM
John Hartson secured the SPL title for Celtic as his early strike gave Gordon Strachan's team a 1-0 win over Hearts.
The former West Ham striker calmed any nerves inside Parkhead when he fired in a volley in the fourth minute.
The Welshman celebrated his 31st birthday in style by smashing the ball into the net from outside the area as Craig Gordon in the visitors' goal was caught out of position.
Hartson was certainly at the centre of the action in the opening exchanges and he was lucky to stay on the field after referee Dougie McDonald decided an elbow on an opponent was only worthy of a yellow card.
After falling behind early on, Hearts did manage to come into the contest and they controlled possession for long periods without ever looking like finding an equaliser.
Artur Boruc enjoyed a comfortable night's work in the home goal with his only scare coming when Andy Webster headed the ball home from close range.
However, the linesman's flag correctly ruled out the defender's strike with few complaints coming from the visiting players.
Hearts felt they should have had a penalty late on when Bobo Balde appeared to catch Roman Bednar inside the box but official McDonald waved away their appeals.
That let-off allowed Celtic to hang on for the win that gives Strachan his second major trophy in his first year in charge in Glasgow.
In the other match on Wednesday night, Hibernian leapfrogged over Kilmarnock into fourth spot after they beat them 2-1 at Easter Road.
Striker Paul Dalglish come off the bench to grab a late winner three minutes from time for Tony Mowbray's team.
Gary Wales had put Killie in front midway through the first half as he capitalised on some sloppy defending to tuck the ball beyond Zbigniew Malkowski.
However, the home team were level thanks to an equaliser from Derek Riordan 10 minutes from time before Dalglish popped up to steal all three points for Hibs.
SPL:
Celtic 1-0 Hearts
Hibernian 2-1 Kilmarmock
The former West Ham striker calmed any nerves inside Parkhead when he fired in a volley in the fourth minute.
The Welshman celebrated his 31st birthday in style by smashing the ball into the net from outside the area as Craig Gordon in the visitors' goal was caught out of position.
Hartson was certainly at the centre of the action in the opening exchanges and he was lucky to stay on the field after referee Dougie McDonald decided an elbow on an opponent was only worthy of a yellow card.
After falling behind early on, Hearts did manage to come into the contest and they controlled possession for long periods without ever looking like finding an equaliser.
Artur Boruc enjoyed a comfortable night's work in the home goal with his only scare coming when Andy Webster headed the ball home from close range.
However, the linesman's flag correctly ruled out the defender's strike with few complaints coming from the visiting players.
Hearts felt they should have had a penalty late on when Bobo Balde appeared to catch Roman Bednar inside the box but official McDonald waved away their appeals.
That let-off allowed Celtic to hang on for the win that gives Strachan his second major trophy in his first year in charge in Glasgow.
In the other match on Wednesday night, Hibernian leapfrogged over Kilmarnock into fourth spot after they beat them 2-1 at Easter Road.
Striker Paul Dalglish come off the bench to grab a late winner three minutes from time for Tony Mowbray's team.
Gary Wales had put Killie in front midway through the first half as he capitalised on some sloppy defending to tuck the ball beyond Zbigniew Malkowski.
However, the home team were level thanks to an equaliser from Derek Riordan 10 minutes from time before Dalglish popped up to steal all three points for Hibs.
SPL:
Celtic 1-0 Hearts
Hibernian 2-1 Kilmarmock