Celtic's hubris bites them against Hearts as title challengers gatecrash Wilfried Nancy's party

Hubris, some might call it. A penny for Martin O’Neill’s thoughts, wherever he was watching the game. He said he would be tuning in having got Celtic level-pegging with title rivals Hearts before he left in midweek.

McInnes’ side were still ahead on goal difference but if many expected this slender advantage to be snuffed out as normal service was assumed at Celtic Park, well it didn’t quite work out like that. After a period of faltering form that caused some to question their new direction under envelope-pushing investor Tony Bloom, Hearts posted the ultimate statement victory at the home of the champions. There’s no better way to rubber-stamp your title credentials while delivering one in the eye to the doubters.

Goals in each half from Claudio Braga and Oisin McEntee, courtesy of a thumping header, derailed Celtic, who huffed and puffed but did not boast a shot on target until 55 minutes. A late flurry was to be expected but even then Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow only had to extend himself to block an Arne Engels header. Reo Hatate’s follow-up effort then hit the bar.

Celtic fans had begun streaming out on 80 minutes and those who took this action missed what proved the least consoling of consolation goals as Kieran Tierney swept home with seconds left. It was greeted somewhat differently to the one he scored just under three weeks ago at Hampden. The Tannoy blast of Fiesta by the Pogues was made to seem faintly ridiculous given that it the stadium was now, at best, half full. Hearts re-started but there was barely time for the away fans to start fretting before referee Don Robertson blew the final whistle.

The Celtic fans might once have booed Santa Claus, but they were not going to give Nancy such treatment so early in his tenure.

The Hearts fans were less sympathetic towards the new incumbent. “Sacked in the morning!” they chorused in the corner shortly after Hearts took a two-goal lead 64 minutes in. The home fans kept their focus firmly on the board and had done so from the start, briefly interrupting hostilities to welcome Nancy before returning to anti-board songs.

Banners but time for Nancy

Banners were held aloft pointing out that it isn’t only the Green Brigade pushing such sentiments. Supporters’ clubs from near and far share the same feeling. These same fans are, though, prepared to give Nancy a chance.

Around 12 minutes in, Yang Hyun-jun, deployed at right wing-back, passed back the way. Nancy ran up the touchline with arms outstretched as if saying: 'what’s wrong with the space in front of you?' An appreciative ripple of applause broke out among those in the main stand. It seemed to convey a sense of yes, he will do.

The French have a saying. Qui ne connait pas la peur. Someone who doesn’t know fear. We should probably already know that Nancy possesses this quality from the available material already out there. After all, he met his wife after being bowled over by a passenger in the car next to him at a red traffic light in Montreal and winding down his window to get her number. Nice work.

Brave? Certainly impulsive. He listened to what his instincts told him here and tore up the Celtic tactics book by opting for his favoured 3-4-3 formation. The three centre-backs included Tierney on the left, a position he has of course played several times for Scotland.

Sebastian Tounetki was deployed ahead of him at left wing-back with the aforementioned Yang on the right. Nancy was introduced to the crowd and when Celtic started it seemed like they meant business. They will rue Daizen Maeda’s failure to hand the new manager a dream start. A sweeping move from the back involving Kasper Schmeichel, Tierney and then Maeda should have resulted in a goal but the last-named player fluffed his shot, and he did so again shortly afterwards following Tounetki’s through ball.

Hearts were showing little in an attacking sense. A dangerous cross from Harry Milne had to be cleared behind by Tierney. Yang and Milne then picked up bookings for fouls on each other before the next thing of note that happened left Celtic Park in silence save for a small band of fans in the corner, and even they could not be sure the goal had actually been given.

Lawrence Shankland kept the ball alive, Liam Scales half-cleared and Devlin nodded back into the danger area, with Braga beating Auston Trusty in the air. The ball fell for Milne, who slashed a shot that was picked up by Braga, looking suspiciously offside. The Portuguese winger outmuscled McGregor and shot into the corner with many, including McGregor, appealing hopefully for offside. The dilly-dallying Arne Engels on the far side had, however, played him on.

Hearts went further ahead 20 minutes after half time when the unmarked McEntee planted a superb header beyond Schmeichel from Milne’s corner. Although Celtic cut the deficit, it was far too late after a Hearts performance full of desire and intent.

Socks around his ankles, armband on his left arm after the substitution of Shankland, who was also excellent, and forced to tread carefully having picked up the customary booking, midfielder Cammy Devlin was a revelation, again.