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Hearts 2-2 Celtic: A captivating contest ended level after the hosts twice came from behind
Harry Latham-Coyle Sunday 25 January 2026 17:38 GMT- Bookmark
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CloseMartin O'Neill: 'If we got beat it's a long way back for us'Leaders Hearts twice came from behind to earn a share of the points against Celtic in a thrilling top-of-the-table tussle.
Seeking a first Scottish top-flight title since 1960, Derek McInnes’s side were forced to fight back to snatch a dramatic draw in a game short of quality but high on action. Celtic looked set to earn three points after Yang Hyun Jun had put them back in front in the second half, but Auston Trusty’s sending off brought Hearts back into it, allowing Claudio Braga to rifle home a leveller late on.
It meant the days big winners were Rangers, who closed the gap to the league leaders to just four points after beating Dundee, with Celtic two points further back. The visitors had gone in front through a fine free kick from Benjamin Nygren, only for Stuart Findlay to head home the first equaliser just after half time.
Follow all of the latest from the Scottish Premiership clash with our live blog below:
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The real winners of Hearts and Celtic’s chaotic draw as Scottish title tussle takes a twist
Hearts vs Celtic live
- Hearts and Celtic share spoils in top of the table tussle
- The hosts twice came from behind to snatch a draw
- GOAL! Hearts 0-1 CELTIC (Benjamin Nygren, 7 minutes)
- GOAL! HEARTS 1-1 Celtic, 48 minutes (Stuart Findlay)
- GOAL! Hearts 1-2 CELTIC (Yang Hyun Jun, 62 minutes)
- GOAL! HEARTS 2-2 Celtic (Claudio Braga, 87 minutes)
- FT: Hearts 2-2 Celtic
The real winners of Hearts and Celtic’s chaotic draw as Scottish title tussle takes a twist
Claudio Braga scored a late equaliser as Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts drew 2-2 at home to 10-man Celtic to maintain their six-point advantage over the champions.
In a match the Hoops could not afford to lose, they led twice through goals from Benjamin Nygren and Yang Hyun Jun.
But they were pegged back by a Stuart Findlay header and then Braga's strike, which came after Celtic defender Auston Trusty was sent off in the 77th minute.
The real winners of Hearts and Celtic’s chaotic draw as title tussle takes a twist
Hearts 2-2 Rangers: The hosts twice came from behind to snatch a dramatic draw — but saw their league lead cut by RangersHarry Latham-Coyle25 January 2026 17:33FT: Hearts 2-2 Celtic
Hearts are still in a position of relative strength, though, and showed all sorts of character to twice fight back today, particularly in the absence of captain Lawrence Shankland. Cammy Devlin and he will remain out for a while, though.
(Jane Barlow/PA Wire)Harry Latham-Coyle25 January 2026 17:05FT: Hearts 2-2 Celtic
Whew. Plenty of action, if not necessarily extreme quality, in a top of the table clash that ends with honours even. The day’s big winners are Rangers - their win over Dundee moves them ahead of their Old Firm rivals and just four points back from Hearts.
Harry Latham-Coyle25 January 2026 17:02FULL TIME: Hearts 2-2 Celtic
(Jane Barlow/PA Wire)Harry Latham-Coyle25 January 2026 16:56Hearts 2-2 Celtic, 90 + 9 minutes
One last chance for Celtic. Arne Engels delivers a free kick from deep towards Liam Scales, but the defender can’t get much on it.
That’ll be that!
Harry Latham-Coyle25 January 2026 16:55Hearts 2-2 Celtic, 90 + 8 minutes
Scythed over the crossbar! Blair Spittal picks the ball up 20 yards out and strikes it firmly, singeing the fingertips of Kasper Schmeichel. Or not, in fact - no touch from the goalkeeper, who earns himself a yellow card by dallying over the restart.
Harry Latham-Coyle25 January 2026 16:54Hearts 2-2 Celtic, 90 + 8 minutes
Scythed over the crossbar! Blair Spittal picks the ball up 20 yards out and strikes it firmly, singeing the fingertips of Kasper Schmeichel. Or not, in fact - no touch from the goalkeeper, who earns himself a yellow card by dallying over the restart.
Harry Latham-Coyle25 January 2026 16:54Hearts 2-2 Celtic, 90 + 7 minutes
A soft free kick and a shake of the head from Sebasstian Tounekti, perhaps harshly given a yellow card, too. Hearts will get a chance to load the box.
Harry Latham-Coyle25 January 2026 16:53Hearts 2-2 Celtic, 90 + 6 minutes
Wilson’s fresh legs test the sprinting stride of Dane Murray, but the Celtic centre back is up to the challenge. He shepherds the ball out of play.
Harry Latham-Coyle25 January 2026 16:52Hearts 2-2 Celtic, 90 + 4 minutes
Strong defending from Liam Scales, a muscular but legal shove on Landry Kabore to earn a throw in.
Kabore is replaced by young James Wilson for the final minutes.
Harry Latham-Coyle25 January 2026 16:51Newer1 / 9OlderMore about
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